The Most Intense Workout: A 2660 Pushup Challenge

I’ll never attempt that again. In May of 2023, St. Jude Children's Hospitals announced a 3000 Pushup Challenge. As a fitness enthusiast and childhood cancer survivor, this opportunity to raise funds and support for children's cancer and other diseases, along with a personal challenge, was too appealing to pass up. I accepted the challenge and embraced it.

The Goal: 3000 Pushups in a Month

3000 pushups in a month translates to roughly 100 pushups per day. For anyone with an intermediate fitness level, this is a manageable task. Performing 10 sets of 10 pushups from the time you wake up until you go to bed is not particularly challenging. However, I saw an opportunity to make the challenge more intense.

A Personal Pushup Plan

I devised a plan for tackling this ambitious challenge. I would workout for 30 minutes and then rest for 30 minutes. This involved 30 sets of 7 reps each minute, with each set taking about 10-15 seconds. My strategy was to continue this throughout the day, ending at 9pm. I promised myself I would perform full-range-of-motion pushups, and if I couldn't continue, I would admit defeat.

A Skeptical Start

My plan sounded good on paper, but when I shared it with a few people, I faced skepticism. They advised me to reconsider, suggesting I was crazy. However, this only motivated me further.

The Actual Plan

In reality, my plan involved taking a meal and rest break from 4:30 to 5:30, which extended my workout to 10:30. This provided necessary rest and energy refueling. Around 7:30, my elbow joints began to feel sore, but my muscles still had plenty of power. I persevered until the pain became too much to bear. I completed 2660 pushups but could not continue.

Conclusion

The 3000 Pushup Challenge was an intense, personal journey blending fitness, fundraising, and personal triumph. It was a reminder of the support available for childhood cancer and c ould inspire others to challenge themselves and make a difference.

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