5 a.m. after my coffee I get into my car, there is no one on the road. The peace outside... soothing, as I, in my mind, configure the first steps which I will follow once I reach my destination. I glance down and see my little figure of the HULK which with an agenizing face, is staring back at me, symbolizing what the morning has in store. With these thoughts I enter the gym, greeted by the front desk man and on the direct path to the next step towards my goal. I stand in front of the challenge, I focus on it, and I demand respect from it; for I respect it just as much. I feel the tensing of my muscles over and over as I prevail over the exercise of choice. Mastering the machine I see, each tug each pull each push, is a step that I need to take to conquer the hardest challenge of them all…. The challenge of self.