Rise Up!

It's time to show what we are really made of inside!  HARC considerations are done and those who are going have been contacted.  It truly is one of the hardest decisions we make as Coaches, but we believe that what HARC represents, what makes it special, it must be kept with the numbers that we have, as much as it would be great to allow everyone. 
So what do I mean by Rise UP and that it's time to see what we are made of inside?  This is the time to show how much this really means to YOU personally!  WE have been talking as Coaches the last few days because we see so many great things happening from so many people!  We also know that being complacent and satisfied, or going through the motions will only result in missed opportunities, frustration, and always wondering "what could have been."  Whether you made it to HARC or not, this is when we see who really steps up to the plate and shows what they are made of...if they were doing all this for positive/good reasons or for some of the wrong reasons.  If this season is going to be amazing...and believe us, we can absolutely feel that it COULD be amazing...it is going to take ALL OF US believing in something bigger and better than any individual!  No matter what happens, are you the type of person, who deep inside is willing to RISE UP when the day seems tough, or things appear difficult?  We believe YOU are!  Now go and Prove it!  :)

Story Time

There is a true story about a man named Ben Yosef, who trains some of the most remarkable Arabian Horses (which are a type of Stallion...by the way!).  These horses are known for their toughness, service, and obedience.   They are the most sought out horses in the world.  What separates these horses from all the others?...well, from the time they are able, they are trained to do special tasks everyday, in the heat, at any time,  and then at the ring of a bell, they are trained to immediately to go to Ben and he rewards them for it.  This training goes on for years, until the true test comes.  The Horses are taken to a corral and locked inside, away from everything, left in the heat, with no food or water, for DAYS, even weeks!  After awhile, he returns to gather his prized horses, to bring them back to the desert ranch, where there is water and food.  As they get closer to the watering hole, he lets the horses go.  They immediately run to the water...just as they are getting close to the water, Ben rings his bell!  All the horses ears perk up...most keep running to the water...a few slow down, look back and continue to the water...and a select CHOSEN ones, slow down, turn around without hesitation, and slowly walk back to Ben!  They are then rewarded with all the water and food that they want and need and are given the best tasks any horse could have in this World.

I share this story because, sometimes it is hard to see why we go through all these runs, miles, waking up early, hydrating, monitoring your sleep, trying to eat well, pushing yourself on the same Friday run :), and still try to be normal!   I guess, the key to GREATNESS, is NOT to be NORMAL!  It requires something special, some sacrifices I suppose, and a willingness to separate ourselves from others, just like the amazing Arabian Horses, mentioned in the story.  It's about willing to do what others aren't...NOT so we can appear BETTER than others, but to improve ourselves...and the greatest thing about Arabian Horses is that they are used mostly as Service animals...helping and inspiring others, to want more!  We should want to improve ourselves, while HELPING others to be willing to "return at the ring of the bell", even when it seems the HARDEST!  The Bell could represent so many things...tough moments in a run/race, days where you feel really tired and just want to sleep, and on and on!  When you "hear the bell", what will you try to do from now on?  Let's ALL work on it!  :)

EVALUATION TIME:  Which type of Arabian Horse are you right now (the great thing is, that we can change...its a CHOICE!)?  Are we just the perky ears and still run to the water horse...perky ears, look back, and still run to the water...or perky ears, turn around, walk back, and become the CHOSEN (which by the way was a CHOICE that the Horse made, not Ben)!
                                           I just love story time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   :)

Keep on Running!!

Hello everyone and greetings from Alaska!! Keep Running! Keep Focused! Keep believing that what you are doing WILL make a difference not only for you but for the TEAM!! GWYGIT!! I know for me being up in Alaska and working LONG hours that it makes it tough to run!
Each time I feel like I don't want to get out and run I think of ALL of you and I will not let you all the team or myself down!! I miss running with the TEAM and seeing all the amazing improvements that each of you are making! As coaches we all want you to know how much we CARE about EACH one of YOU!! We are ALL in this together!!!!!! Leave your COMFORT zone NOW!! and discover a new one!! Love your Coaches!!

Lesson's Learned

Running has taught me many things, but one thing that has stood out to me this week while I was gone, was how much I really do love the CHALLENGE of pushing MYSELF.  I am sure there are other ways to learn this aspect in life, but none so much as running!  I do understand how hard it can be to get out there and get in your runs, when there is so much to do, or so much is required of you from running and other important things in your life.  I spent the week trying to balance traveling, hiking with my family, spending quality time with my kids (like getting climbed all over in the swimming pool, after hiking for hours...heehee!), getting the rest I needed, oh, and eating in there somewhere, and still get in a run.  Some mornings, trust me, I would rather have continued sleeping, but as I laid there in bed, I would just think for a moment at how much better I would feel if I would just get up and overcome the lazy side of me and stick to my goals.  Plus, I want to be able to be a Coach that practices what he teaches...literally!  :)  
The challenge is not to just get out there and do the miles, or set high goals, but to SEE BEYOND the REASONS for doing this!  The Challenge is doing this, day after day...run after run...even on days when it seems impossible or there is a lot to do!  Kiddos...there will always be  A LOT TO DO!  The impossible is what makes this "CHALLENGE" so amazing and worth it!  I guess, to make this really easy and simple for us, on those really challenging days, IS IT COMES DOWN TO TRUST!  Do you Trust your Coaches to help you, guide you, lead you, inspire you, talk to!  Trust your teammates to encourage you, push you, BE THERE for you!  Trust Yourself to get up when you're down, to lift others, to see beyond what's right in front of you.  In the week that I have been gone, I just need you to know that I missed you.  I know it is a challenge to always be what you want to be, to be what you think others want you to be, but what I want you to know is that this group can bring out the BEST in you...if you let it!  These challenges you face in your life, right now, truly SHAPE you for how you will face the real challenges in life, so don't back down...lean on each other...go out of your way to help someone else...it will only improve YOU!

Most of you know that I use a saying in my classroom that says, "Life is Loopy!"  Well, it is true, in every sense of the saying.  The Challenge here, the lesson's learned are simple...Trust and realize that what goes around, comes around!  YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE!  As I had time to contemplate the challenge we face, while running in foreign places, I realized that TIME is simple...it never changes, it doesn't speed up or get slower...it is constant!  We seem to never have enough time...but YES you do!  Choose to make the TIME for YOU...for your goals...for your Teammates (like I thought of you guys when I wanted to just lay in bed), and if for anything else...for the CHALLENGE!  Life is full of them, so you might as well start learning how to overcome them...and what better way than through running with a bunch of crazy people like yourself, aiming for the same, amazing things!  Make it happen...it's up to YOU!

Moment of Truth!

This week will be a "Moment of Truth" for our team!  For You individually!  YOU will be on your own as a team this week...Coachie will be out of town all week with his family (much needed, by the way!).  I have left it up to YOU to help each other this week...of course I have told the older kids what to do for the workouts (or at least I will tell them...heehee!), but I am going to watch and see on dailymile how everyone responds to ACCOUNTABILITY for each other, and for yourselves!!!!!  I say this so that you HELP each other, not nag each other...to LOOK out for each other, not babysit each other...to PROVE to each other that you can and will do it, not "have" to do it because you feel guilty...by the way, if you are feeling guilty about your running...then do something about it!  Apparently I have a way of making some feel guilty about what they are "not" doing, when all I am trying to do is tell you the truth so that you don't miss out on things!
Speaking about missing out on things and being honest...those of you who had the chance to race on the 4th...I saw some great things happening!  We are definitely heading in the right direction, but I honestly feel that there a few "lulls" that will hold us back as a group later!  I mentioned this last week a little, and if you are all serious about your goals (individually and as a TEAM), then we need to continue to move forward...even possibly do a little more.  MORE does not mean necessarily more MILES (even though it could be for most), but MORE on the little things, whether it be a little more focused on eating right, resting, and focused on EVERY RUN.  Guys...the social aspect of this team is all NATURAL!!!!!  You do not need to work on your social skills while being on this team...it automatically will happen and even get better!  We could use a little more of you showing up to the team runs.  Now I know that there are a lot of things going on...but I get very little communication from people who don't show up...I have no idea why, and others ask where they are, and some of these kids are really good runners that other kids look up to!  I would like to be able to tell others why...even better, I would just like to see you make it to the run...going back to the guilty thing...if you feel guilty about this, then change it...if you don't, then don't worry! :)
Being Honest again...our boys have been doing pretty good of helping each other, holding each other accountable, and we have many boys that will fill up the spots on the HARC roster (even though, there is still room for improvement...the little things!)...but the girls!  There are about 4-5 girls that are doing what is necessary to earn a spot at HARC.  Once again, I am not trying to make anyone feel guilty, I am just trying to open ALL of YOUR EYES!  HARC is not for mediocrity, and we will not take anyone who doesn't step up to the plate and earn it!  SO I CHALLENGE ALL OF YOU TO REACH HIGHER...ONE DAY AT A TIME...ONE WEEK AT A TIME...BUT STOP PUTTING IT OFF!  For some, it may be an increase in miles, for some it might be coming to practices, and for others, it could just be increasing speed (which usually improves by running with your team).  We all have a choice as to how we will accept this challenge, but please be positive instead of down on yourself...see the greatness in you...WHICH IS WHY I AM GETTING AFTER YOU...WE ARE NOT GIVING UP ON ANY OF YOU!!!!!

These next couple of weeks are like the 3rd lap of racing the mile...it seems the least significant, it also hurts the most, it feels like it will last forever, but we all know...THIS LAP MAKES THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IN THE RACE!  The MOMENT OF TRUTH is here!

What will it be for YOU?