You were probably expecting iPhone Friday today. I decided since it is the start of the 2011-2012 fitness challenge I would share an inspiring image I shot of US Pro Time Trial Champion, David Zabriskie.

Yep, it is that time of year again, the fitness challenge starts today. Last year was a great success. The highlights were Rick Louie losing about 70lbs and started his life over, Sandra Urbacke kept it steady and shared some totally cool/fun fitness techniques, Jill broke her 1/2 marathon record and her husband Matt is pretty darn fit all the time so he is a good role model for all of us.

What? The fitness challenge is pretty simple, you state your goal and plan today by leaving a comment below and then check in every Friday (on the weekly iPhone Friday posts) until May 15th to see how others are doing, share how you are doing, etc. The challenge isn’t a competition. The goal is to help you achieve your own goal through the mutual support of one another. Simple right!

Why? If you are regular here, you know how much I believe in fitness. My fortune cookie tonight actually read ‘Happiness Is Activity’. It couldn’t have been more right. What better night to start our challenge. I also believe that fitness is an essential part of photography. Images aren’t always easy to make. Sometimes you have to hike to your destination, or carry a bunch of heavy gear around for hours at an event. Plus I have some of my most creative moments after a good rush of endorphins.

What’s In It For You? Other than good health and a fun way to keep yourself focused over the next couple of months, I usually give away a few custom prints to those that check in every Friday. Except last year, I ended up giving our winner Rick Louie a ride up into the mountains to shoot this image. Also, hopefully we will all make some new friends.

My Goal By now you are probably wondering what my goal is? Well, I’m challenging myself to something totally new. I’m going to try and race the Olukai. I have never raced a stand up paddle board (SUP) before…actually, to be honest, I have never even been on a stand up paddle board. So why am I doing it? It is easy for all of us to get in a rut and stop trying new things in life. Can you imagine if you had never picked up a camera? Well, that’s how I feel about most things in life. It’s never too late to try something new. Yes, I’m a cyclist, mountain climber, swimmer, etc..but one thing I don’t do is race paddle boards. All that is going to change on May 14th!

My Plan I actually became interested in SUP about 4 years ago. I was headed to Hawaii to play guitar in a friend’s wedding, when my mother of all people came running to the back of the plane to see if I wanted to trade seats with her because she was sitting next to one of my fitness and big wave surf heros, Laird Hamilton. I didn’t take her up on the seat exchange, she needed the seat to be comfortable on the flight. Anyway, when we got off the flight she mentioned Laird suggested I try SUPing. Apparently my mom told Laird I was quite the surfer. When we were at baggage claim I introduced myself to him and he said, “Yeah, your mom is totally cool. She says you are a great surfer”. It was pretty embarrassing to have the pioneer of big wave surfing tell you that. I told him I think my mom is just proud of me and she might have confused my love of surfing with being a great surfer. We laughed about it a bit. Long story short, Laird Hamilton was a good guy and hung out with my mom on a 6 hour flight. In the process he suggested I try SUPing. So here I am, 5 years later training to race him and Dave Kalama on their home court!

Here is photo of me, Laird, and my niece. Just incase you don't know who's who, Laird Hamilton is the Greek god in the middle, I'm the touristy guy in the fedora.

How am I going to do it?

1) I live in Colorado, so time on the water is going to be hard to find in the winter. I ended up buying a long board and Big Kahuna street paddle to help. I have been putting in 5-8 mile days at Wash Park on this thing.

2) I am only going to do exercise that fuels my soul. That means I probably won’t be going to the gym and pumping iron. I will ride my bike, snowshoe, yoga, swim, walk, balance, waterman beach workouts, climb, etc….

3) I will focus on balance and core strength.

4) I will read Dave Kalama’s blog, A Waterman’s Journal, regularly.

5) I will do my best to eat right. For me, my fitness is about 30% exercise and 70% consumption. I’m going to monitor my consumption and try to put good fuel in my body.

6) I will be making several trips to costal waters to prepare for the race. Tomorrow I will be paddling for the first time through Austin with fellow photographer and friend of mine Will. Next week I will take my newly acquired skills to the open ocean in Hermosa beach.

Well, that’s my plan. I can’t wait o hear about your goals and what your plans are. Just leave a comment below and keep checking in every friday until May 14th. Hopefully by the end of this you are feeling great about life and I have drummed up some good prizes.