Paddlin' for MB

Have you ever pushed yourself to do something totally out of your normal routine? Have you ever learned something new, joined a new team or pushed yourself physically and mentally? I recently had the opportunity to do just that. Through my local YMCA, I became a part of a Dragon Boat team, Paddlin' for MB. 

{photo courtesy of teammate Tracy}

This team has pushed me to up my fitness goals by about a million percent. Before my first big race with them we practiced on the pool deck, leaning into the pool and I figured that I had the hang of it. A week before the race, we had an opportunity to practice in a real boat...my first time. We were out for about an hour and on that drive home I was shaking and crying. I didn't think I could do it. I didn't want to be the weakest link and I didn't want to let people down. Thankfully, I have awesome family and friends who pushed me to not give up. And on race day, I was nervous but pumped. There were teams there from Boston and Canada and paddlers from Florida and beyond. It was a big event with a lot of amazing teams. And overall? We rocked and I'm hooked.

As a team, we're ready to grow. Our team captain, Josh, has big dreams and they include getting our own boat and creating a regular practice schedule that would get us off of the side of the pool and ready to run with the big teams. 

If you'd like, read more about our team (like why we're doing this!) and how you can help. 

Above all, I want everyone to realize that this opportunity came from me stepping out of my comfort zone and doing something I never, ever thought I would do. What could you accomplish (or help others accomplish) if you stepped out of yours?