I meant to only run 3 miles to take it easy on my shin, but I felt great and I was desperate to do my favorite run to the ballpark.

One of the best parts of setting a goal is being able to celebrate when you meet it. My goal wall is a constant reminder of what I’m working for, and every time I mark something off I’m encouraged to get the next one. When I meet my goal I add the event or success to my wall in some way. It commemorates the experience and reminds me of the success I have had in the past.

“Ouch. Ouch. Bad. Ouch.”

I am worrier who is quick to fear. In the past I stayed well inside my comfort zone because everything else was just too plain scary. There have been a lot of things I almost didn’t try that I am thankful I did, most notably rock climbing, yoga, running, and CrossFit.

I started yoga in high school as part of an elective class. It took me a while to go to an actual studio, but once I got over not knowing anyone, and the teacher, I enjoyed it quite a bit. Now four years later I work at a yoga magazine and I do yoga on my own and in a class multiple times a week.

I used to stand on an eight food ladder and feel like I was way too far off the ground. After watching hundreds of other people climb at my gym, I decided it was time to stop being afraid and do something fun. For the first few weeks I would make it about 3/4 of the way up the wall before I wouldn’t be able to go any higher. Now I climb the highest walls at the gym, and I don’t let climbing next to a ledge or on overhangs stop me. I even look down every now and then. Next up, climbing outside.

But more than anything else, CrossFit has pushed every one of my limits. I nearly didn’t take the fundamentals class because I was afraid of not knowing how to do anything (isn’t that the point of a beginner’s class?) and not knowing anyone who would be there. I had lifted weights a bit as training for sports, but even the lingo used in CrossFit seemed confusing and impossible to me. It actually took me three months to finally sign up. I am so happy I did I cannot put it into words. I’ve never had so much confidence in myself or felt as great as I do now. I have met so many amazing people at the two gyms I train at, CrossFit Sunnyvale and CrossFit San Mateo.

Every day at CrossFit I have to get over a fear. I’ve learned to not count how much weight is on my bar and instead just try it (besides, I’m terrible at math, so it’s best if I count it all at once). The first time I ever did a lift at body weight I could not believe it. Never did I think I could move so much weight. I’m learning to not let a number scare me or stop me from trying. Even if I can’t move the bar, at least I tried and it becomes my project until I can. But there is nothing like the feeling of lifting a heavy weight or making it through a brutal workout. It makes me feel like I can do anything.

Things still scare me. Putting that extra five pounds on the bar, trying a new arm balance where the chance of failure or face-plant is high, just about every new climbing route, and running further, longer, or faster. But every time I let myself be afraid and then push past it I end up with a new experience and an irreplaceable feeling of satisfaction.

Lose weight. Remember to floss every night. Give up an hour of TV a week. Stop swearing. Eat more vegetables.

More than a year ago I fell in love with running thanks to Christopher McDonald’s “Born to Run.” Nothing was more instrumental in getting me out of the house, into some barefoot shoes, and into the peace and comfort that a run can provide. Because of this book and the fact that Scott Jurek has clearly proven the power of a well planned vegan diet, I decided to read his book, “Eat and Run: my unlikely journey to ultramarathon greatness.”