One Mile. Every day. For one month. No – it’s not a lot (or at least it didn't seem like a lot) when our international brand coordinator, Allessia, set off on a 31-day running challenge (also known as #mileadaymay) but she ended up covering a whole lot of ground and learned a thing or two in the process.

When I decided to embark on #mileadaymay I didn’t really know what I was in for. The copywriter in me thought the name was clever, the designer in me thought a collage of 31 photos of my feet might look cool (but wait, there’s only 30 photos! more on that later), the blogger in me thought “good content” and the athlete in me was all “psh” but thankfully I silenced her real fast.

so why would I want to run one mile every day?

Despite the name, the distance was never important. It was always about getting out there. It takes the average person 10-12 minutes to run a mile. I consider myself to be a pretty active person but I sensed I was getting all too comfortable with the “not enough time” excuse and I had a feeling I was using it more than I realized. If I couldn’t find at least 10-12 minutes a day to break a sweat I knew I had some serious re-prioritizing to do.

lessons learned from 31 runs

1. Turns out there is enough time in the day. You may have to wake up earlier than you’d like or leave your friends and a half finished brew on a patio or get dropped off a mile away from your volleyball game but there is time – you just have to want to make it. On day 10 I effed up (this is where the 30 photos comes in). I didn’t plan my day out properly and I couldn’t make it happen. I was mad at myself for it but I knew I had to let it go. I considered throwing in the towel right then because I thought I’d failed. Instead I learned that Friday and Saturday mornings were made for workouts (Friday and Saturday nights, not so much). The next day I got back out there and since then, didn’t miss a beat.

2. You can run off a bad day. Holy – running does wonders to clear your mind. That endorphin thing? Not a gimmick. On one particular day I had run in the morning before work and then came home feeling “blah” and threw myself an epic pity party. Right before hitting rock bottom I decided I needed to hit the pavement and I used my frustrations to fuel a second run. By the end of my run my mood and mindset had done a total 180. This two-a-day also brought me back up to 31 runs by the end of the month which made me feel less guilty about missing Day 10.

3. There is nothing more refreshing than a run in the rain. I love it. It’s so serene and you feel completely badass cause you’re like THE ONLY PERSON OUTSIDE RUNNING.

4. Despite the fact that 30% of my runs started with “arrrrgh I don’t want to do this” 100% of my runs ended glad that I did. Also – I surprised myself that for most of my runs I was eager to get out there. I had anticipated a lot more dread than I actually experienced.

5. There are a lot of skunks in my neighbourhood. One day I crossed paths with 4 skunks. That’s got to be a record (note: I managed to make it out without getting sprayed).

6. Not every workout has to be an epic workout. Some days I only ran a mile other days I went to yoga, soccer and got in a 5K run. If you only have 10 minutes to be active then only workout for 10 minutes. It all counts and it all adds up. By the end of May I had clocked 100K. I covered more distance in a single month doing small runs every day than in the peak month of my half-marathon training last year.

7. Enroll others to hold you accountable. This is true for any goal you set for yourself. I enrolled my blog readers, my family, my friends, coworkers and my social media following.  People kept telling me how inspired they were by what I was up to or that my photos on Instagram had convinced them to lace up too (see there is a time and a place for feet shots after all). There were even a few strangers who picked up the challenge (via the internet) and completed it with me! What no one probably knows is that they were, in turn, inspiring me too. I didn’t want to let anyone down – people were so invested in my success and I'm so thankful for the ongoing support I received.

what's next?

People keep asking me “so now what?” and I’m like… uh, hello! Wasn’t running every day in May enough? I feel like when you complete something like this you’re afraid to stop and break the habit. I think in June I’ll take my “there is enough time” mentality and commit to sweating every day but not necessarily through running. There are so many different activities I love to do and I don’t want to restrict myself.

As for those photos - I'm thinking I'll do a little StickyGram action on them and make them into magnets! Unless, of course, you have a better idea?

My confession: yoga annoys me.

Or at least it used to.

In my first yoga class a decade ago, I spent the hour looking around the room cursing under my breath at all the bendy people who could easily touch their toes or sit comfortably cross-legged for 10 minutes. And I particularly hated the fact that it didn’t seem to bother anyone else that others were more flexible or grounded or strong. Where was the sense of competition?

My athletic life has always been built around sports or races: hockey, softball, half marathons, and triathlons. I love the feeling of crossing a finish line, or winning a hockey game. And I even like losing games, because at least it gives a clear result.

So, the idea of yoga being a never-ending “practice” blew my mind. What are we practicing for? When’s the event? How do you know if you’ve achieved your goals?

But when I hurt my knee a couple of months ago and couldn’t run, I decided that perhaps it was time to explore the world of yoga to see if it could help me rehab and build my core strength.

This is when I announced to my friends and family that I was going to do a 30-day yoga challenge.

This was a way to put yoga on my terms: I had a clear goal and would know when I accomplished it. So I embarked on a month of exploring all different styles of yoga and really immersing myself in this world of “practice”. And what I discovered amazed me.

The physical benefits were great but the biggest reward was what I learned about myself.

I learned that when you let go of fear, you can do amazing things.

I usually stick to the beginner poses because surely I could never do crow pose, right? Well, doing yoga everyday made me want to try more new things because if I fail, I know I have 7 chances a week to get it right.

And I realized that not only were there some poses that I could do, the act of just trying them was way more fun than not! No, I still can’t do crow pose but I can do a headstand, hold eagle pose endlessly, and can even do Utthita Hasta Padangustasana (google that one…)

I learned why yoga is a practice, and not a game/sport/goal.

There is an amazing amount of peacefulness that comes from giving yourself permission to be exactly where you are. Sports and races are all about getting somewhere and becoming better, faster, and stronger. I found that by giving myself permission to be in my practice every single day, without setting an end result, I felt more confident, proud and in touch with who I really am.

And who I am is awesome, even if I can’t touch my toes.

I learned that commitment is a beautiful thing.

I knew that no matter what else was happening that day, I would find time for yoga. We became friends and I relied on yoga to pull me through some tough days.

It’s scary to commit to something you’re not sure you can accomplish but there is no better feeling than the realization that you’re as strong, passionate, and able as you always thought you could be.

I’m excited that my true yoga journey is only just beginning, and although I will always love the feeling of making a PB in a race, I can’t wait to get back on my mat.

meet allison

name: Allison Forsyth
role at lululemon: Event manager
current hometown: Vancouver
random fact: My left lower leg is basically made of metal and before this challenge, I couldn’t sit cross-legged on the floor.
what did you learn this week: I learned the power of removing rocks and dropping stories.
two words that describes your 40-day experience so far: patience and clarity

this week i learned...

This week I learned: that I can do yoga. It’s a bold statement, I know, but as a on-the-mat, off-the-mat reluctant yogi in the past, I had never done more than 4 days of yoga in a row, let alone 40. With this week’s theme of restoration, I realized that I have had a yoga pattern in my life and created a story in my head that goes a little something like this: you are inflexible, have a bad knee, and are not good at yoga. As a former Olympic athlete, I don’t gravitate to things that I have decided I am not good at, so the journey on my mat has been challenging and has often felt inauthentic.

Baron writes, "and when patterns are broken, new worlds emerge."

This week, after 3 weeks of exploration and falling in love with my practice, (finally) I decided it was time. It was time to remove the rock of my yoga ability, to drop the story of my flexibility, and to step into my practice as something that is about me, not anyone else, but me. It doesn’t matter how it looks, and I have finally let go of what I thought yoga to be. Yoga is my place of restoration, my place of clarity, and where I can, with every breath, practice patience and acceptance.

new paths

When I was going up in to my fifth wheel a couple of days ago, I heard an audible “yes” escape from my throat, as I felt this incredible sense of accomplishment. I am opening my mind, strengthening my body, and forging a new path.

Let the new journey begin.

meet tracy

name: Tracy Keough
role at lululemon: Area Community Manager, North U.S.
current hometown: Vancouver
random fact: I grew up in Newfoundland.
what did you learn this week? Breathe, respond, don't react. Listen to what is in your heart.
a word that describes your 40-day experience so far: Deep inquiry

this week i learned...

I have been excited about this week since the 40 Days program began. Equanimity has been something that I have been striving to understand since I first practiced with Baron 3 years ago. He spoke to equanimity in class that day. I remember so clearly wondering the meaning of the word and his statements stayed with me long after that all-day immersion:

Can you simply be in this pose and face it as it comes? Be with whatever comes up, feel it and simply be with it, no reaction.

As we held the pose further, Baron said: notice how you are reacting to this pose. Where else in your life does this come up? How is who you are on your mat showing up in your life?

Uuuuh, do you mean the fact I am cursing you in my head right now dying to come out of this pose?!

Tracy Dhanurasana-ing at last week's Yoga Journal Conference in San Francisco

three years later

I took this week on with a curious mind and open heart. I faced myself head on and had conversations that were tough and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. There were tears, moments of wanting to run and through it all I stayed with myself, understanding that this is true growth – this is equanimity. After all this time, it finally landed for me that equanimity is being in the eye of the storm, the middle of all the reactions and feelings and working with whatever comes up, what REALLY comes up -- tears, fear, fight, flight -- and breath by breath, being with it.

Then, Saturday morning I woke up to this quote staring straight at me:

"The longest road you will ever have to walk is from your head to your heart" ~ Chief Phil Lane Jr.

And it all came together for me. Equanimity is living what is in your heart - your absolute truth - and having the courage to trust. To be with it. It is uncomfortable to say what really needs to be said, revealing who I TRULY am, in my heart, from a deep place of knowing. It's scary, yet freeing all at the same time.

Truth. Trust. Love. That is what I learned this week. Thank you Baron.

Let’s skip over the part where I talk about the indulgences of the holiday season and cliches about fresh starts: 2013 is almost here and a lot of us are looking for a meaningful way to start the new year. Enter: the Digital 40 Days program by Baron Baptiste. Move over, resolutions. It’s time for a revolution!

what is it?

Digital 40 Days goes from Jan. 7 - Feb. 15, 2013, and is a companion program to Baron’s book, 40 Days to Personal Revolution. Basically, you get your yoga on in whichever way works for you: your favourite studio, home practice, these yoga videos, or the podcasts that come with the program. Digital 40 Days provides:

- the structure
- the community
- the support
- resources including podcasts, emails, and meditations.

It doesn’t cost anything to join the program but there is an option to upgrade for a few extra advantages.

the good, the bad, the ugly?

Doing anything for 40 days is guaranteed to create a change, shift, or insight in some capacity, so we’ve got weekly contributors from across lululemon to recap their experience each Tuesday (starting Jan. 15) and tell it like it is.

Finally, here are a few questions we asked Baron Baptiste about the program:

why 40 days?

Forty days is the time it takes to build an entirely new set of habits and practices to train and rewire your mind and body. This program is built from a foundation of commitment and is designed to create, piece by piece, new practices and commitments that propel you into lasting transformation of your body and your life.

what are potential outcomes of participating in this challenge?

The outcomes of this program are very specific to each individual. It will strengthen, open and cleanse your body, clear your mind and change your relationship to food in a way that creates whole-life health instead of quick fixes. You'll learn how to get out of the trap of trying to find the time for the things that matter most to you, and start making the time and being the change.

what happens if I fall off the wagon?

I often tell my students that it doesn't matter how many times you fall, it's about calmly and kindly getting back up each and every time that makes all the difference. Part of this program is that (much like your day-to-day life) it will present you with many opportunities to jump ship... "I had a stressful day today and don't want to meditate for 5 minutes" or "I don't have the time today for yoga practice or to make myself something for dinner." The good news is this is where the personal revolution occurs: you'll be on the lookout for these kinds of disempowering thoughts and attitudes and experience the power of choosing your next action.
If you 'fall off the wagon', simply get back on.

ready to join?

1. Sign up here.
2. Stay connected with the Digital 40 Days community on Twitter and Instagram using #digital40days.
3. Check back here for weekly recaps starting Jan. 15.

Here we are, at the end of 30 days of rediscovery, reinvention and realization. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate then to take the trip out to Squamish to hike one of the most beautiful views in British Columbia: the Chief.

Before hiking the Chief with your alleged 'friends' make sure you know the following:

1. The Chief is the equivalent to hell on earth for someone who is mildly out of shape.
2. There is no tram on the way down.
3. The chipmunks who live on the top of the first peak will rip out your eyeball if you have anything that resembles food.
4. It's hard. There are rocks, ladders and other weird inclines that make you want to barf.
5. Did I mention there is no TRAM ON THE WAY DOWN.

All joking aside (yes, I'm going to pretend those were jokes), when I got to the top it was time to reflect on 30 days of living the lululemon manifesto.

This month has been filled with many hard conversations with myself and other people. It also involved reaching for and failing at some pretty big goals and opening myself up to new opportunities. More importantly it required taking a hard (real) look at how I had been living my (mediocre) life.

The outcome: learning to put more value in what I put out into the world. I learned to stop watching so much TV, living on my cellphone, and reading so many newspapers and magazines so I could experience the overall impact of living in the present moment. I rediscovered what it means to be a maven, a connector and a leader and how much power is contained in those three roles.

My biggest lesson was not holding on to stories (i.e. the meanings I give what people say and do). I learned to be honest with people by speaking from a place of love. I have learned to remember that those feelings of doubt and inadequacy will pass and how important it is to go through them so that I can appreciate the time I get to live in my sweet spot.

My good friend Jacqueline wrote something really epic on my Facebook page the other day:

Everything happens... period.
Everything happens.
And then you deal with it. And sometimes you give it a reason.

In closing, I adopted the phrase: Live Big, Dream Even Bigger. This quest to my best life will never stop. I am committed to your happiness and success in life just as much as I am committed to my own. Let's continue this journey together, one day at a time.

Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself (for real this time).

What a concept! So simple and yet so remarkably true. Finding your sweet spot in life is all about uncovering the sweet spot in you. And why not really go for it? If there's one thing I have learned, it's that anything is possible, including that big, bold, juicy slice of life that you've always wanted. So today, I not only committed the day to totally, completely taking care of me, but I also set aside time to write down the things I don't like about myself (while  always remembering that I have the power to change everything). End result: all the fluctuations in life (good and bad) don't feel so extreme, because you are at peace with the whole package.

So, living out this part of the manifesto meant I had to be really clear and honest with myself. That included admitting to some lingering body image issues and formulating a plan to get myself to a place where I love my outside as much as my inside. This plan includes: a full body assessment to be performed by my good friends at Endorphin Junkies, as well as a nutrition overhaul by powerhouse and Dailey Method Guru and good friend Danica Howlett. And the last piece of the puzzle was personally committing to changing my lifestyle. What that looked like was a heartfelt talk with my man, and planning out realistic >meals and a balanced fitness routine that I am able to stick to. The icing to this cake of change is also establishing a support system in my life to encourage me (and hold me accountable).

A couple of learnings from this full body/mind dismantle:

• Loving yourself means committing to participating in your own life.
• Learn to forgive and grow from perceived failures (we often forget that these feelings pass).
• Identify flaws and what you are doing with or about them.
• Learn to interrupt my inner voice, especially when it starts going on those long-winded rants about you not being good enough, or in control, or perfect (you know the usual cycle of darts you throw at yourself).
• I learned that I can talk myself in or out of anything. Someone once told me that you can rationalize and justify all day long, all life long and do nothing to live a better life. Or, you can begin to realize that you actually hold the secret within you to take your life or at least your attitude towards life in any direction you choose.
• Don't be afraid of opening your heart to the experience that comes with darkness and pain. Things happen in life...lots of things. Those non-ideal moments don't change or become you, they grow and teach you.
• Your outlook can be one that will strengthen your character or one that will make you crumble. It has the power to color every word you speak and every emotion you experience. You have the power to change, choose and become the person you always wanted to be.

Up next… Write down your short and long-term GOALS four times a year. Two personal, two business and two health goals for the next 1, 5 and 10 years. Goal setting triggers your subconscious computer.

Follow my journey on Twitter @olimaughan!

I am seven days in to living the manifesto. Eating well, drinking fresh water, sweating once and a day and doing things that scare me left and right. One thing I committed to early on was to return to my daily yoga practice and have rocked the first series of Ashtanga on the beach in English Bay. Last week I was practicing and got into that 'yoga zone'. You know the one: eyes closed, postures solid and the sound of the breath filling every ounce of your body. After finishing my practice I turned around to see three people behind me in the same closing posture that I was sitting in. They had practiced with me, following me and were waiting (patiently) to ask me a slew of questions. I sat with them and answered what I could (and led them on a journey to the other answers) and concluded with a piece of advice that I had heard recently from Anusara teacher John Friend, who said the most important aspect of yoga is the yoga that you can't see. I saw a smile appear on all of their faces. We all laughed, they thanked me and continued our day. It was a great moment.

The experience made me go back to my first few months of asana practice when it was a fight to push the body beyond itself. It wasn't until I sat down and read Iyengar's Light on Yoga and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois's Yoga Mala that I really wrapped my head around what it means to live a yogic life (which included releasing my practice into whatever shape it took). It was then that I started feeling my yoga a little more, and not worrying so much about what it looked like.

I continue my practice today because it makes me feel good. As a teacher, I feel a sense of responsibility to be very present with my students, making sure they leave knowing something new about themselves and their bodies. I have listened and observed how hard we can be on our ourselves and how quick we are to point all that we are not capable of in life. In yoga I urge my students to be kind and patient with their bodies, reminding them that yoga will always be a practice and that there is no 'final game'. David Swenson once told me that on your death-bed it will not matter if you can sit in lotus or pull your leg over your head. What will matter is how much love you can experience in your lifetime.Yoga will always be a part of my life because it is a part of me. The beauty of yoga is that it takes many forms and that there is a yoga out there for everyone. For some it is running, writing or painting...whatever it is, put your whole self in it. Feel it and experience it for whatever it brings to your life. Others will see that passion and be inspired to find their own yoga.

The next manifesto line Oli is taking on: Communication is COMPLICATED. We are all raised in a different family with slightly different definitions of every word. An agreement is an agreement only if each party knows the conditions for satisfaction and a time is set for satisfaction to occur.

Follow me on Twitter @olimaughan or on Foursquare!

Read Oli's first post about why she's living the lululemon manifesto for 30 days: http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/30-days-of-manifesto/

Meet Oli, who'll be living the lululemon manifesto every day for 30 days!

Let the countdown begin! Send in your suggestions. This is as much my challenge as yours because you know I’m not doing this alone… Challenge me, test me, encourage me to do something you’ve always wanted to do and have never tried: hiking the Grouse Grind, stand-up paddle boarding, taking that photography course that you (and I) have put off for four years. Let’s go on a journey!

The inspiration for Oli's challenge: our manifesto!

This is for you. This is for me. If I can do it, anyone can. For those who would like to join me in this challenge, send me your setbacks, your stories, and your pictures. Make sure you include the manifesto quote that you’re focusing on! Let’s do this together and put it out there for the world to see. Better yet, meet me there! I will be formulating a plan based on your votes. I’ll let you know where I’ll be and invite you all to kick yourself into a life you absolutely love!

Live in possibility. Let this be the start of your best life.

Want to suggest a manifesto challenge for Oli? Leave a comment here or on Oli's blog, where she'll be updating daily, starting August 1!

Where will you be travelling this summer?

Summer is approaching and everyone has traveling goals, can't wait to soak up the sun, or hop on a plane to see the world. The question is, “what will you be packing?” To us, the answer is a no brainer -- pack your favourite lululemon pieces! Easy to pack, wears well during the day and then you can hit the streets of Venice, Italy or Venice Beach, California for a dusk run to enjoy the view!

Throughout the years we have received emails, postcards and now Facebook pictures and Twitpics of our guests traveling around the world in lululemon pieces.

This month during your travels, share your experience, your destination, your travel stories, people you meet along the way and show us how far lululemon travels through a snap shot of you somewhere in the world.

Join June’s Travelling lululemon photo challenge this month and share your group shots with us.

how do I send you my photo for this challenge?

You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we’ll add it for you (we won’t publish your email address), @reply us on Twitter, or post it on our Facebook wall!

what will you do with my photo?

We’ll be featuring some of our favourite entries on the lululemon blog. If you don’t want your name or entry to be public, let us know.

Sweat hard, and travel harder!

Dance, sing, floss and travel.

Every month, lululemon organizes a photo challenge for the world to share their best shots of the month’s theme! For May we want to see your camaraderie out in the baseball diamond, spiking the ball for the volleyball, diving for the winning Ultimate Frisbee shot, or your department’s lunch time team building pyramid shot!

lululemon team huddle in Hamilton before game day!

Team Ninja hanging around after a big dodge-ball competition.

Team Beech-lu showing off their pyramid skills during a beach volleyball break.

Join May's Go Team! photo challenge this month and share your group shots with us.

how do I send you my photo for this challenge?

You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we'll add it for you (we won't publish your email address), @reply us on Twitter, or post it on our Facebook wall!

what will you do with my photo?

We'll be featuring some of our favourite entries on the lululemon blog. If you don't want your name or entry to be public, let us know.

Just remember to smile and note there is no 'i' in team!

What are we doing around here to track our run goals? We are photo happy and documenting the trails we are finding, the run clubs we are going to, and the finish line shots—our favourite.

Join April's Run It Out photo challenge this month and share your running shots with us.

how do I send you my running photo for this challenge?

You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we'll add it for you (we won't publish your email address), @reply us on Twitter, or post it on our Facebook wall!

what will you do with my photo?

We'll be featuring some of our favourite entries on the lululemon blog. If you don't want your name or entry to be public, let us know.

Just remember to smile because someone is bound to snap a photo. See you at the finish line!

We recently asked our guests on Facebook and Twitter for a little inspiriation for our monthly challenge and the theme that came up with quite of few people was to share the idea of capturing balance in a picture.

This month our monthly challenge is to capture the way you find balance in your life! Do you turn to yoga at the end of the day? Are you the one who breaks out into a dance routine at the corporate office? Or do you spend the weekend photo journaling with friends to capture the moment? We can’t wait to see how you express balance through your photo submission! Show us your balancing act!

Elissa showing how she has balance in her life.

How do I participate in the challenge?
You can upload your photo to our monthly challenge photo pool on flickr, send it to onlinecommunity@lululemon.com and we'll add it for you (we won't publish your email address), or post it on our Facebook wall!

Below are some of the photos that capture what happened in January from our team and photos that were sent in from guests:

Mark and Matt at the Store Support Centre doing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 
A lovely afternoon yoga class.

Whitney embracing the cold weather.

Upward dog in the snow!

Embracing the mountain snowboarding.

Snow angels afte a good run.

Just hanging around.

Tree pose in Toronto.

Janice at her gym working out. She actually documented the entire through her own flickr album.

Jackie about to go to circuit training after a hard day at work.

Jenna sweating it out on the treadmill.

The coolest ladies around.

Summer can't come soon enough. The best way to do yoga is on the beach.

The Run club is ready to brave the cold!

Ready to sweat in her new gear!

What was your favourite way to sweat this month?

Day 31 learnings:

1. lululemon makes amazing black stretchy pants.

Both pairs of my Wunder Unders have stood up to this challenge beautifully. They weren't brand new to begin with but they haven't "aged" either. The color did not fade, the fabric did not stretch out and there has been minimal pilling from abrasion.

2. It IS possible to re-purpose.

Prior to this challenge, much of my closet was "categorized". I would only wear certain pieces for work, play, dressy events, and to work out in. I've started to look at all my clothes differently. Something that I would only have pulled out for "dressy" occasions are starting to see the light of day (Examples: Day 1, Day 15, Day 25) and lululemon pieces that only saw the inside of my gym bag are going with me to work and play (Day 12, Day 14, Day 19).

3. I'm already wearing my yoga/run/work out clothes. I have NO excuse not to get my yoga/run/sweat on

The response I received from this challenge has been overwhelming. To every friend, co-worker, and guest who took the time to have a conversation with me, provide encouragement and support, comment on a post, share their day with me by checking into the blog or ask me how I was doing (I loved the concern fellow co-workers expressed over my hygiene), you are WUNDERful. Your words have added more fuel to my fire at reaching my personal goals in fashion and styling.

For my CGSE updates, photos and blog posts
Facebook: Elim Canada
Twitter: @elimcgse
Foursquare: elimcgse

I would like to personally thank Alana, Shawna, and Ron for making this all happen EVERY DAY.

Thank you to lululemon Briar Hill ( @lululemonbhill) for sharing your tweets with me.

Note: Do try this at home. No Wunder Unders were hurt during the course of this challenge.