After 2.5 months I am nearly half way through training for my fifth Badwater Ultramarathon. In addition to many miles past underfoot, I recently completed one 50-mile non-stop training run. It's the first time I have ever finished 50 miles in under 10 hours (9:19).

Through "relentless forward motion" I am on schedule.

But, how about you? What Drives You?

Wait a minute Frank, what are you talking about?

As a refresher, you can read What Drives You - Parts 1 and 2 here: http://www.frank-mckinney.com/blog.asp?article=175 & http://www.frank-mckinney.com/blog.asp?article=178

The race is run in the most brutal conditions imaginable, and 2010 marks my 5th attempt at completeing this test of human will.

If you are new to identifying your life's "Badwater," and committing to pursue it, Badwater is the toughest race in the world according to National Geographic. It's an invitation only (15 countries/90 entrants) 135-mile non-stop footrace that starts in the Death Valley desert where air temperatures can exceed 130 degrees, and ground temps are 200+ degrees. It traverses 135 miles through the Mojave, over three mountain ranges and is run on blacktop pavement. www.Badwater.com

In Parts 1 and 2 of "What Drives You" I encouraged you to identify just one of your life's Badwaters, then set out to pursue it with me over the following months as I progress toward the start line of the race on July 12.

To qualify as one of your life's Badwaters the endeavor must seem insurmountable and invoke a certain level of fear in you, yet be very important to you, as the results will likely leave you forever changed. The undertaking can be personal, relational, professional or spiritual in nature.

In What Drives You - Part 3 I want to deal with the FEAR associated with pursuing your life's "Badwater."

I am readying to run a 100-mile non-stop training run sometime in May. It will take me close to 24 hours to accomplish this necessary part of my training. Although in the past I have ran 2 other 100-mile training runs (2006 and 2009), I still fear what lies ahead, this fear is compounded with the even more daunting task of adding 35 miles to the 100, and running those 135 miles in the Death Valley desert in July.    

Yes, Frank McKinney experiences fear nearly every day of his life. Will our new $22.9 million spec home Acqua Liana sell soon? Will our oceanfront land sell soon? Will the banks remain our advocates? Will I finish Badwater this year? Take a moment to fill in your daily fears here...

What we must recognize is that fear is almost always associated with the thought of taking some form of risk. And the risk we contemplate is nearly always associated with some form of change or challenge.

So, we contemplate some major change in our lives. As we do so, we understand that to see that change or challenge through, we must step outside of our comfort zone and take a risk. As that thought enters our mind we feel fear associated not with the unknown results, but with the thought of "leaving the known."

Opportunity for Change/Challenge = Risk = Fear.

When confronted with this sequence we have two choices, accept our current status and remain comfortable with a life of predictable safety and resulting mediocrity. Or we can choose to recognize why we are feeling the fear, and choose to proceed with eager optimism in anticipation of our desired results.

Feeling the fear is part of it. Since it won't leave us, and when feeling it we know we are on the verge of a breakthrough, why not proceed?    

So, if you haven't already, identify your life's Badwater (as defined above). Remember, to live a full and balanced life we must identify and pursue endeavors that raise the bar on our previous best. Then, as you pursue your life's Badwaters you now know why you feel the fear, that it is a part of your growth process, and most important, how to embrace the sensation as an indication that you are on the verge of undertaking something very meaningful to you and those you love. 

To help you identify your life's Badwater, and then move beyond the fear associated with pursuing it, take a look at my Life Lessons Learned DVD http://frank-mckinney.com/lifelessons/

I am excited to hear about your life's Badwater and what fears you have that are associated with pursuing it. If you haven't already done so, please share it with me via email; frank@frank-mckinney.com, or post it at http://www.frank-mckinney.com/blog/your_tap_moments.aspx so others can see your commitment.

I'll write you again after my 100-mile training run.

Until then, 

Frank McKinney

www.frank-mckinney.com  

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