Why participate in a challenge?

The answer to this question is personal to everyone. Some just want to be held accountable for their workout goals. But, participating in a challenge is so much more than accountability. It’s about community and being part of something bigger than you. It’s about building friendships, encouraging each other, being motivated and inspired by others, and sharing your own stories with like-minded people. It’s kudos when you’re doing great or trying hard, and a listening ear, hugs, and comfort when things are tough. 

One of the biggest reasons to participate in a challenge is to get outside. If you are tired of the gym or don’t work out because you can’t stand the thought of going to the gym, then an outdoor challenge is for you. The benefits of being outside have been proven to improve your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. I can tell you personally that I discovered the power of watching a sunrise from the top of a mountain. It took my breath away and fed my soul all day long. Maybe a sunset is more your thing, or a walk on the beach, or through the city. Whatever it is, a challenge will help you get more of that every day. 

We’re all busy people and can use a little encouragement every now and then, especially on those days when we just aren’t feeling it, and aren’t up to getting outside or moving our bodies. But, don’t we get super excited and grateful when we actually take action and complete a goal we set for ourselves? Being part of a committed group of people on a similar path will help you achieve your goals. You’ll be surprised the friendships that form, sometimes online, other times in person. 

I’m interested in a challenge. Which one is right for me?

There are a lot of different challenges available offering something for everyone. I’m going to share the ones I’ve participated in that I feel are worthy of praise for the sense of community they have formed as well as the challenge itself. I started small because I wanted to be successful.  I recommend the same for you if you are just beginning to walk, hike or run. Most of the challenges I chose are flexible and can be adapted to anyone at any fitness level. 

Just because they are challenges does not mean they are competitive. The idea is to only challenge yourself, and not compete with others, but to encourage them. It may even help you get outside with others in your area, make new friends, and join a local hiking group. I never thought I would be the kind of person to participate in a group hike, but I ended up really liking them, and meeting like-minded people. There’s also a sense of security, especially for women, when you’re in a group, and can really help you enjoy your hikes (or whatever sport in which you participate).

365 Mile Challenge 

What is the 365 Mile Challenge? It’s meant to get you outside for at least one mile every day of the year. You can walk, run, swim, bike, ski, or any other self-propelled activity you like. Here’s a video about them and a link to their website below. These ladies do a great job of creating a community and motivating you. They offer swag and regular giveaways. The online community is amazing, encouraging, and awesome! You won’t be disappointed!
Find The 365 Mile Challenge here.

I participated in this challenge for two years. After successfully completing the first year, I joined the second year to do it with my daughter, Hannah. Hannah has Down syndrome and had gained a little weight from sitting around too much. Climbing mountains will never be her thing (I tried and we failed), but walking around the neighborhood trail, parks, or even to the corner store appealed to her. I eventually enlisted the help of her caregivers to walk with her. Sometimes moms aren’t the best person for the job. I found myself frustrated and she found me pushy. I’m competitive and she is not. I have goals I want to constantly increase, and she just wants to saunter and take her time. Having help was a lifesaver, and good for both of us. I’m happy to say we both successfully completed the challenge in our own time and at our own pace. 

Run The Year

This was the next logical step for me after successfully completing more than the number of miles needed for the 365 Mile Challenge. In this challenge you run or walk the miles in the present year — that’s 2019 miles for this year. One of the best things about this challenge is you can join with a team, do it solo, or do both. This is my third year participating in this challenge with a team. We currently have four members on our team, and as of the end of May we met our goal of 2019 miles as a team. Some of us are carrying on to try to reach 2019 solo miles, and some will just carry on to see how many they run/walk this year. Two of us are walkers/hikers and the other two are runners. The first year, 2017 I reached 1600 miles because I had back surgery that year. In 2018 I exceeded my goal and got to 2137 miles for the year. This year I am on target to reach 2019 miles–time with tell whether I get there or not.

Check out this testimonial from a Run The Year Participant

If you want a challenge where you will get support this is the one for you! Their online community has over 15,000 members and is filled with inspiration and personal support every day! If you don’t have friends who want to participate you can request to join a group. No matter how many miles you want to complete this challenge will support you. You aren’t competing with or against anyone. It’s all about your personal goal. Plus there’s bling, and swag, and additional fun challenges throughout the year. Run The Edge/Run The Year

The 52 Hike Challenge

The name says it all. Hike 52 trails in a year, but there are different series you can participate in. This is my third year and I did a different series each year. I will be hiking my 52nd different hike of the year in two days, up to Kendrick Peak in Flagstaff, Arizona, to complete this year’s challenge. We can get stuck in a rut of hiking the same peaks repeatedly, and that’s what I like about this challenge. It’s fun, gets you out exploring new and different places, while making new friends, and connecting with nature. Check out the details at 52 Hike Challenge

Hiker Babes 100 Hike Challenge

This is a perfect challenge to continue beyond the 52 Hike Challenge. There is no deadline, because it’s all about the journey. Hike alone, with friends, or meet up with other women who are part of this community. They have local branches in cities around the country, so it’s easy to find one near you. I’ve been participating since the beginning of 2018 and even though I’ve completed my 100 Hikes I continue on with the group because of the sense of community, and because “it’s all about the journey” as their mission states. Here’s the link to sign up then join their online community, and find a local group near you. Also, in our local group it’s not exclusively women. Spouses, significant others, children and family are welcome.

Ultimate Hiking Challenge

The Ultimate Hiking Challenge is new this year, or at least it’s new to me. I was so excited to find a mileage challenge that was exclusively for hikers, as opposed to the Run the Year Challenge which is mostly runners.

You get to make it your own in this challenge. How many miles do you want to hike–100, 250, 500, or 1000? I love this because, again, you aren’t competing against anyone but yourself. You set your goal and focus on that. I’ve found a lot of other people on Instagram that are participating in this challenge and having a great time doing it. Some are through-hikers, most are just like the rest of us, either daily hikers, or weekend warriors. Some are traveling around finding new hiking trails, while others are staying local and enjoying the hikes in their own area. There is no cost to sign up, so why not? They do offer bling, which of course I signed up to get. I hate to admit it, but I like the reward of that awesome finisher medal. It drives me a little harder, and motivates me to keep going. This challenge works great for those who aren’t as competitive as I am too. It’s a fun challenge for all hikers.

Check it out at Ultimate Hiking Challenge

The Six Pack of Peaks Challenge

This challenge made me a hiker. Well, actually the 52 Hike Challenge made me a hiker, and the Six Pack made me work for it! While the 52 Hike Challenge had me looking for peaks I hadn’t yet climbed, the Six Pack of Peaks gave me a specific list of 6 hikes to complete, each one more challenging than the previous.

The Six Pack of Peaks originated in California, and I discovered it last year while I was looking for something that would take me beyond my current hiking skills. I was trying to figure out how I would be able to get to California six times to hike their mountains. My family situation makes traveling difficult, but I was determined to figure it out some how, some way. To my delight they began a Six Pack of Peaks in Arizona this year (and they have multiple other states with challenges as well). Arizona has a winter and summer series because our weather is not conducive to hiking big mountains in the heat of valley in the summer.

I competed in, and finished the winter series. I was proud of myself for completing this series. At 61 years old, having only been seriously hiking for a couple years, it was a challenge, but one I absolutely loved! I hiked mountains I never dreamed I could do, and never knew existed. It made me face my fears in so many ways–the fear of heights (or as I like to say, the fear of plummeting), the fear of scrambling, and the fear of climbing and having to make my way through cable sections where you have to depend on upper body strength, which is something I lack. The summer series is all at higher elevation, so it’s great for acclimating to higher altitudes for whatever the next big challenge may be.

I’ll be climbing my 5th peak of 6 this weekend, then on to the highest peak in Arizona two weeks later. This has been my favorite challenge. There’s bling, bragging rights, t-shirts, and a finisher’s party to celebrate with everyone else who finished the challenge. If you’re an experienced hiker, or want to improve your hiking skills this is the challenge you want to check out.

Six Pack of Peaks

That completes the list of my favorite challenges, most of which can be done from anywhere in the U.S. and beyond. I’ll be sharing my Summer Series Six Pack challenge hike reports, in the future, and my experience on each trail.

Happy trails,
Pam