In my new role at Competitor Northwest I am beginning an adventure into something new, and my trepidation and excitement are both very high. I feel like it’s the morning after registering for my first Ironman.

I woke up thinking that it was the first day of preparation for something a year away – but it seemed fitting to be nervous, given the sizeable task in front of me. Working for Competitor, I am encountering a host of new things to learn, people to meet and relationships to develop, skills to master and problems to solve; all part of an experience not very different from what we face everyday in life. It’s even more common for many of Competitor’s readers because we are a rather active group, running 5k’s, hiking the Cascades, cycling centuries and participating in triathlons.

The apprehension of starting something new can be a wild emotion. Often we focus on the ways we might fail or the possible negative impact of the challenges ahead. Depending on how you approach a challenge, it can consume you or you can turn it on its side and convert it into motivation. I tend to think with a “glass half full” mentality and try to spin optimism into the challenge in front of me. Simply put, a little fear or worry can get you up in the morning, make those running shoes lace up a little quicker or sharpen the focus you need to write a monthly column. Motivation comes in many forms and helps to build that “can do” spirit which is essential on the path toward your big day.

We all remember doing something new for the first time, so we also know the thrill and satisfaction that accompanies the adventure. For me, working for Competitor brings so much to be thrilled about. I work for an organization that is built around the same passions I have. There are countless opportunities to get out to events and build new relationships with people who share my interests both professionally and personally. Choosing an adventure close to your heart and passions makes it easier to get up for the event. For those who have completed volumes of races and events, you know that it gets easier each time. Connection, and the confidence learned from finishing past adventures, fuel your entry into the next. It’s a domino effect and the more you accomplish the easier it gets to thrive on the thrills and try another.

The exhilaration of launching into a new experience can be invigorating – it can fuel you to overcome your fears, and often the finish line exceeds your expectations and you forget how worried you were. The rewards can outweigh the stresses by multiples of a thousand. This summer, make a pact with yourself to try something new. Give yourself a healthy dose of challenge by trying something that is on your “must do before you die” list. One of the coolest things about Competitor Northwest and www.competitorNW.com is that they provide a vast resource for inspiration: from the articles that help you prepare and encourage and inspire you to live an active, healthy life to the to the race calendar which contains the invitation to your next challenge. This summer, seek out a challenge for yourself. Pick a new event or adventure, sign up individually or find a group to share the experience with and soak up the butterflies in your stomach. I’ll see you out there as we both embark on new adventures this year.