The Power of a Bucket List

The power of a bucket list! It’s that time of year again, a new year and new resolutions! Now is the time to ponder our lives from 2012 and reassess new goals and aspirations for 2013. New Years resolutions are SO last year! The problem with resolutions is simple, people sometimes make unrealistic resolutions and then lose motivation shortly after. My solution to this resolution issue is simply this; instead of creating a list of “resolutions” create a list of things that you would like to accomplish in 2013, a bucket list, if you will. By this I mean finding a way to achieve multiple resolutions without the risk of disappointing yourself by not sticking to it 100%. A great way to do this is to get involved in athletic competitions/functions! After experiencing a few of these in 2012 myself, I did a little research and found some amazing events that not only challenge you physically, but are great ways to set athletic goals for yourself and then put them to the test! The following events are all distributed throughout the country and all serve a good cause. Each event has a charity involved so by participating you are helping make a difference in the world (a great resolution to have)! The Color Run: Being a participant in a race this past year, the Color Run is known to be the happiest 5k on the planet! Challenging your cardiovascular endurance, this 5k race is focused less on speed and more on crazy color fun with friends and family. There are only two rules in this race: 1. Wear a white shirt, and 2. Color plastered EVERYTHING once you hit the finish line! How does it work you ask? Well, each kilometer of the race there are “color zones” that are blitzed by volunteers, staff, and sponsors with COLOR. At the finish line is a celebration of your 5k feat, a color extravaganza! Don’t want to run alone? No problem! The beauty of The Color Run is you are allowed to create running teams and think of unique running team names! It’s a great incentive for building your cardiovascular endurance and to help the charities involved in the event. Tough Mudder: Tough Mudder is an event that prides itself on being one of the toughest obstacle course series in the world. These events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. Tough Mudder has already challenged half a million inspiring participants worldwide to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. By running a tough mudder challenge, you’ll unlock a true sense of accomplishment, have a great time, and discover camaraderie with your fellow participants that is experienced all too rarely these days. Warrior Dash: If you like the idea of the Tough Mudder but are a little intimidated by its intensity, then try the Warrior Dash! The Warrior Dash is a running series created by Red Frog Events and is a 5-6K mud run with obstacles. Each warrior dash consists of at least 12 obstacles along the course followed by a festival. This particular event is especially fun because costumes are highly encouraged! Festivus Games: If you are a CrossFitter then this competition is for you! The Festivus Games is a competition designed for novice and intermediate CrossFitters only. No fire-breather types allowed. If you’re looking to put your athleticism to the test then put the Festivus Games on your 2013 bucket list! Never tried CrossFit before? Now’s the perfect time to start! Get familiar with this form of fitness and squat ‘til you drop. You’ll get the chance to show your stuff against people just like yourself to see who’s got what it takes! All of these competitions challenge you mentally and physically and give you a reason to push yourself everyday at the gym. Not only are they fun events, but the feeling of accomplishment and pride once you finish is definitely something you should add to your list of resolutions for 2013. Elizabeth Brown is 22 years old born and raised in San Jose, California. Sheis a full time student in the process of transferring to San Jose State University to complete her Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology. As Bodybuilding.com’s 2012 Fit USA Winner, Fitness Model, Spokes Model for Bodybuilding.com’s upcoming B-Elite clothing series, NPC Bikini Competitor, and newly Certified Personal Trainer with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, she aspires to build a career in the Health and Fitness industry to further help and inspire others to achieve their fitness goals.