I submitted my application for American Ninja Warrior over the weekend.

Regional qualifiers are in the spring, but are not being held in Colorado this year. If chosen, I'll have to fly to either Pittsburgh, Kansas City or some other location to run the regional qualifying course. I know since my family is there, Pittsburgh seems like a natural choice. However, the dates for those might conflict with the birth of my first child. So, I'm thinking Kansas City.

I have to admit, I'm quite nervous about being chosen. Just like any other risk where I put myself out there, this one comes with doubts, uncertainties, anxieties and flutters of butterflies in my stomach. Part of it comes from the resistant voice that says "Who do you think you are? You can't hang with those courses and athletes!" The other part comes from what I know it will do to my schedule. That is, it will pack it with workouts, pain, soreness, and tight timelines.

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As I prepare to embrace the busy schedule packed with workouts, ice, soreness, and tired forearms, I ask myself "Why would I do this? Am I crazy?"

Then, I remember, the reason I would do such a thing is because there is a burning desire to do something interesting and remarkable with my time. When I watch people run the course at American Ninja Warrior, that desire awakens. It's pretty much that simple. I see it. I want to do it. If that involves intense training, so be it.

The workouts, though difficult, will ultimately serve to make me feel younger. The time spent, though it will be tight, if it is similar to the way I feel about the documentary I created in 2011, will be time I reflect upon with satisfaction. That's how it went with the last competition I was in. I never regretted devoting the time.

Finally, I'm not doing this to 'see how far I can get'. I'm doing it to win. Though I have realistic expectations about doing that in the first, second or third year, I want to win. Not just for the money, though I'll take it. I want to win just to win, and everything that comes with it is just gravy.

I'm in, and I can't wait to hear from the folks at American Ninja Warrior when they tell me when I can run the course.

I can tell you that your likes, shares and cheers (or even jeers) for this blog post could make a difference for me!

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