There comes a time in everyone’s life when they ask themselves, what am I truly capable of? For a lot of participants in The Texas Distance Challenge, that question has already been answered. Almost 500 people have finished the Challenge in less than half of the time. That’s over 10% of the field, which is nuts!
Days, if not weeks, worth of discussion went into deciding what exactly the Challenge would be. We asked ourselves… is 3,612 miles on a bike too aggressive? Is 814 miles on your own two feet simply too far? Our team found out pretty quickly that even asking that question was silly.
After being in awe of y’alls efforts, we thought it was necessary to honor y’all the best way we knew how. On December 1st, The Texas Distance Challenge will launch its Trailblazer Program. Calling all running and cycling outlaws that just cannot get enough of the dirt on those trails, asphalt beneath your tires, or constant humming of the fan as you hit the trainer or treadmill. We’re speaking directly to YOU, the person who just won’t quit. The person that will turn towards the road less traveled. The runner who fights through the pain. The cyclist who powers through those hills.
We’re calling all Trailblazers to join the Tribe. To qualify as a Trailblazer you’ll need to have accomplished one of two feats:
- Finish the entirety of your Crossing or Loop Challenge in 5-Months or less
- Achieve a 25-Day activity streak in December (Dec 1 – Dec 25)
So, what does it mean to be a Trailblazer? First and foremost, it means you’re a certified Bad Larry who’s no stranger to endurance. Secondly, it means you’re eligible for the following:
- If you completed all your mileage by Nov 30 at 11:59PM you’ll have presale access to the limited edition (and quantity) Trailblazer socks. You’ll receive a password in your inbox on December 1st. You have to be quick! That password protection will be removed on Dec 4 at 11:59PM and the socks will be available for purchase by all participants.
- If you finished your challenge in 5-months or less OR completed your 25-Day activity streak you’ll be able to download the Trailblazer digital badge on our store! You can use this badge as an overlay on your profile photos, Strava profile, or anything else you please 🙂
So, why Trailblazers you ask? Well, in true TDC character, there’s some history, and no, I’m not talking about the basketball team in Portland, or Chevy’s latest midsize SUV. Let’s dive into what exactly a Trailblazer is.
The definition is easy… It’s somebody who blazes the path. A path finder, not a follower. Beyond the definition, there is far more to what the term actually means. Our entire civilization was founded because of Trailblazing. People ventured where no one had ever gone before. Lewis and Clark for example, the pioneers who went West before anyone else found a path, and paved the way for the rest of us.
Listen, I could sit here and type out 10 pages of what a Trailblazer really is. I could give you numerous examples of Trailblazers in our history. Maybe that will inspire you to join TDC’s new campaign, maybe it won’t. In my opinion, sitting here and reading words on your computer isn’t what is ultimately going to make you a Trailblazer.
It has to be something within your own psyche. A Trailblazer is somebody who embodies the idea of an internal mission. Whatever this mission is, you will not stop until it is completed. Citing a personal inspiration, David Goggins says, “You want to be uncommon amongst uncommon people. Period.” Sure, Goggins is a little intense, but damn is he inspiring. He’s a modern-day Trailblazer in his own sense. He embodies the idea of hardening his mind and figuring out a way to do things that most people think are impossible.
Traveling 3612 miles on a bike or 814 on your feet in 150 days definitely isn’t impossible. But it’s certainly ‘uncommon.’
Want to knock out the Challenge in 1/2 the time? Sign up for a new Challenge! Here are the mileage breakdowns to get it done.
