So I’ve decided to do a thing. Not sure if it’s brave or crazy… or potentially a mix of the two. As I’m sure a lot of us are, I have been looking for ways to challenge myself after a very disruptive year last year. I was inspired by something I saw on social media, which is where we find all of our inspiration these days, right? It’s called the 4x4x48 Challenge.
This started last year when David Goggins challenged himself and others to run four miles every four hours for 48 hours. So 48 miles total in 48 hours. This year’s event will start Friday, March 5th at 10pm CT (8pm PT) and run for 48 hours. The challenge, beyond just running four miles once, will be to complete these stages at very challenging times. If you are participating here in Bowling Green that would mean running four miles at 2am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. By the way if you are not familiar with David Goggins, Google him. I could write several articles just on him alone, but I’ll say that in spite of him seeming to be completely insane with some of his endurance challenges, he can be a very inspiring figure.
This 4x4x48 Challenge can be modified for those who are not runners. The task ultimately is to complete 45-60 minutes of physical activity every 4 hours for 48 hours. I was very happy to hear of this modification, as I am not a distance runner. So what I have challenged myself to do is to jump rope for 12 three-minute rounds for each stage. That’s 36 minutes with 30-second breaks in between each round. Twelve rounds is the same length as a main event boxing match for reference.
The other appealing aspect of this challenge is that we get to attach a charity or cause. I spent more than a few days thinking of where or who to raise money for, as there are a lot of people and agencies who need funding in this time we are living in. Then something fell in my lap. The opportunity to help out a friend who was there for me when I needed him most and who has served this community (pun intended) for a very long time.
I will be taking on this 4x4x48 Challenge to raise money for my good friend John Shoulders, General Manager of Montana Grille. He and his wife have endured struggles to become the parents I know they are destined to be and that they deserve to be. Overcoming these challenges is not cheap, though, and I want to help them as much as I possibly can.
During this 48 hours, and in the weeks leading up to it, I will be documenting how I will be mentally, physically and emotionally preparing for this task. Feel free to follow me to stay updated or if you would like to donate to the cause. Also, I hope this can inspire you to take on a challenge yourself. Whether it be to raise money for a cause you hold dear or just to get out of your own comfort zone. Lord knows we all got comfortable in 2020. And also uncomfortable in some ways. What I know I needed, and what you may feel you need, is something totally the opposite of what we are used to. If we are comfortable we need to shake things up. If we’ve been uncomfortable, let’s lean into that a little and see how much we can really accomplish.
If you like what you read, feel free to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat @GregAAlmond.
-by Greg Almond
About the Author: Greg Almond is an on-air personality for Goober 95.1.
