Dear Minor Setbacks,

Dear Minor Setbacks,

You don't scare me.  You will not make me fold under pressure.  I have a monthly challenge for March and I'm going to complete it, no matter what.

First you gave me a stomach virus on March 1 and 2.  In your sick mind, you may be trying to teach me a valuable lesson.  But that is a cruel, very un-Mr. Miyagi kind of philosophy.  And I will catch the fly with my chopsticks without your help, thank you very much. 

Next, you somehow managed to jam the console on my treadmill making it impossible for me to use for perhaps the next two weeks. That was low, by the way.  Who did that inside job for you?  Was it the dog, the cat or even my own sweet Vivian? 

You even managed to get the Nordic Track technician to lie for you, saying I have (a) a problelm with my console, (b) a problem with the controller, or (c) a problem with the wiring that connects the two together.  Hmmmm, and it worked just FINE for the past three and a half years and FINE just days ago when I last used it before you poisoned me with the stomach plague.  Again, I will repeat....  This is a really, really low and a dirty stunt to pull with me just fourteen days away from my race.

Then you caused me to stub my toe!  Don't deny it.  I know you forced that table to jump right out in front of me with full-on hockey goalie gear.  What's next?  Me in a body cast?  But I am prepared to become Wayne Gretzky and slip by you in the next table rounds!

I will not give up.  I will not quit.  Do your worst.  I'm ready for you. 

Setbacks may put me behind.  They may cause me to throw up for 24+ hours.  They may cause me to run outdoors in the cold, windy weather.  They may even cause me to say endless profanity in front of my two year old as I bump into pieces of furniture around my house. 

But they won't cause me to quit.  I'm still a contender.

And guess what?  My gloves are about to come off!  The March Monthly Challenge is still on!