I’m excited about the Iron Pax Challenge. Last year I finished 59th out of 130 pax. Which if I’m being completely honest isn’t where I thought I’d finish. However, it’s not about the end result. I keep telling guys that it doesn’t matter if you finish 1st or 2000th.

It’s NOT about the results, it’s about the effort. Let me say that again. It’s NOT about the results, it’s about the effort. I heard somewhere that guys were doing work before, after, and even during rounds of the IPC WODs. Those that did completely missed the point.

The IPC at its core is about conquering the 3rd 500. It’s about taking 4 workouts and giving every last ounce of effort and energy that you can muster. It’s about digging deep when it hurts the most and finding a way to grind out 1 more rep; finding a way to keep moving forward exhausted and out of breath to finish 1 second sooner. It’s about being so completely wasted from effort that you can barely climb back into your vehicle to drive back home.

I think the Challenge is great because it’s also extremely humbling. When you’ve given your maximum effort and yet guys are still finishing ahead of you it really sinks in how vast F3Nation really is. It sinks in that there are always going to be guys that can get after it a little bit faster than you.

Being humbled is something that I think most guys and regions will have to go through when competing in their first year of IPC. I know I did personally with my own performance and with the idea of where my region was compared to the rest of the Nation.

Hopefully most of you will find a way to look inward and take something away that is of significance to you. Hopefully you will grow physically and mentally from these tests. Hopefully it will make you better men as a result (Ultimately the one result that does matter).

Remember that we’re all brothers in the gloom and that giving your maximum effort is the greatest accomplishment any of us can strive for.

JKS – Alpo