After all the Work...It's time to begin!

What an exciting time!  I know it can also feel scary and uncertain, but that is a Human response and it is ok to feel that way.  What we are going to work on is realizing that we have put the work in and now we GET TO Celebrate all the work!  Now celebrating doesn't mean that it won't hurt or be hard, but it does mean that the REWARDS will be Greater!  It does take Trust and a Belief that, no matter what you have been able to put in to this point, what you are willing to do from here on out, will continue to benefit you...in so many ways!!!!!

HARC was a great experience!  We feel as Coaches that this was one of the BEST so far!  I know that we have "run" away from this experience, a much better Team, and we promise that our Goals are to help EVERYONE realize that they have a place on this TEAM!  It also does require that ALL of us pursue something better in all of us...no one wants to be around people who are doing less than their best when others are trying hard to be there BEST!  We can only be as good as EVERYONE believes and ACTS, that we can be!!!!!  It does not matter how fast you are or new you may be...all we ask is that you realize that you matter and that you give what is required to be GREAT!  We are a family and we look out for each other...no matter what!

The Plan for this week is as follows!

Monday through Thursday: We will still have our normal Morning and Evening runs that we have been doing throughout the summer!  We will have our Strength training on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with a run after, and our final Performance run on Wednesday @ 7am.  

We will be adding a short 1-3 mile run in the afternoons to help all of you adjust to running in the afternoon once school starts.  Meet at 3:30pm at the "S".  Bring a water bottle.

You do not need to attend all 3 workouts a day, but once schools starts, it will be harder to get your normal mileage in for your summer miles total that ends on Labor Day, so this can help you without over doing it!

Friday we will just meet for an easy run in the morning at the High School @ 7:30 am.  Most likely pass out uniforms to the Varsity teams.  

Saturday: is our FIRST RACE of the Season!!!  the Premier Invitational, that we put on as a fundraiser for our team!  Our races will not begin until 11:30 am with our Varsity Boys race, followed by the Varsity Girls at 12 Noon.  JV Boys will be at 12:30 pm and the JV Girls will be at 1 pm (Everyone gets to participate)!!!  If you are not a Varsity runner...yet...you are in the JV races).  If you do not have a uniform shirt (we will order some from the parents mtg and first week of school), don't worry!  You can borrow a shirt from someone or wear any blue shirt or a Stansbury shirt that you might have.   We will not have a bus (all of the Coaches will already be up there working the 5A, 4A races that start at 8 am), SO YOU NEED TO HELP GET YOURSELF TO THE RACE!  TRY TO BE THERE BY 10:30 TO 11 AM!  CARPOOL IF POSSIBLE!   

It's going to be a great season!  PLEASE PASS ON THE INFO TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW THAT MIGHT BE DOING XC THIS SEASON!      WE NEED YOUR HELP GETTING ALL THIS INFO OUT!  I EXPECT TO SEE THAT ALL OF YOUR XC CONTACTS HAVE BEEN TEXTED OR MESSAGED THE FIRST PART OF THE WEEK!!!!!   :)

Let's make it Great!

I know that this may be a tough week for all of us...but it is one of those moments where we learn to shine through the seemingly "cloudy" skies and dig deep within ourselves and make this the Best week!  I know that it may seem tough to do that, with HARC being as tough as they come, and those still here, trying to run on their own...but every year that we have done this, something amazing comes out of this experience...for EVERYONE!  The key part of this situation is to see the big picture and realize that the summer is coming to an end, and everything that we have been working for, is about to begin!  Keep the consistency up...now is not the time to back off...in fact, it is time to step up for many of us and get back into the "MOJO" of running, and feeling great and dead, all at the same time because of the demands that running can feel like...but that is what makes it special...that is why this TEAM is special!  There is no time like now to re-evaluate and kick it in!  May the Run be with YOU!

P.S.  Don't forget that this Saturday is a team physical with Dr. Beazer, if you would like to take care of it (it is required to get a physical every year now!), and the $20 is being given generously back to our TEAM.  Check the announcements above for the details! 
We will also have a Friday morning Canyon run, except it will not be timed and we will be checking out the race course (our first RACE is on Saturday the 16th!!!!!).   Next week we will still have our normal runs in the morning and night, for those who can, but we will also be adding short runs everyday at 3:30 pm at the "S" to help you get use to running in the heat of the day!  Bring your water bottles and we will transport them on the afternoon runs!

What do you gotta lose?

Before I share what I have been feeling this week, I must let you all know that all the HARC considerations have been made and are done.  Like I have said before...it is a very hard thing as a Coach to have to decide who comes and goes.  The honest truth is, that we are glad that it is hard...that "HARD" is what makes it special.  I have often thought, "why don't we just open it up to almost everyone (because we really do NOT want anyone feeling left out in any way), but the truth is that HARC is special because of the way it is set up.  It is not to separate or punish kids, but is set up to reward those who have done the little things, who have chosen to go beyond what they thought they could do.  As Coaches, we really don't have to "DECIDE" who goes...your actions, your desire, your sacrifices, your passion, and even some of your physical abilities, are what determine who goes.  We had a lot of you make the standard mileage...we had a lot of you go beyond the standard mileage, which made the "STANDARD" that much higher for those who were on the border.  Those of you not going...this is your chance to show that even though you may not be going, that you still matter, that you have great things to look forward to doing this season (and hopefully beyond for you younger kids).  This whole experience is what YOU CHOOSE to make it, and if it bothers some of you, that was never the intent, but I would not change how it is done!

As Coaches, we like to share experiences with you, not because we want attention or to be patted on the back, but honestly to help you see that we understand what you are going through, that we are doing all that we can to help you realize that in order to be YOUR BEST, it requires that you be fully INVESTED in what you are doing.  If you are not invested, then you are just going through the motions in some way and you will never fully see or feel the JOY that comes from doing hard things...even if you seem to have success!  Most of you know that I ran the Deseret News Marathon this last week.  I haven't ran a Marathon for just me or for a specific purpose in quite some time.  But I have been very motivated the last little while and I have been trying very hard to be strong and put in the time required to see a difference in my own personal running, along with still supporting you guys! I signed up for this race, to TEST myself, to see where I was at in my training physically, but especially mentally/emotionally! Basically, I wanted to know if I could push more than I thought.  I didn't just want to run it or go through the motions of the race, but I also wasn't really stressed out about my time or what place I got...I just knew deep inside I was going to get out of my comfort zone and see what I could do...Deep inside, I really and honestly wanted to see if I could qualify for the Boston Marathon for my age group, which is 3:15.  The unsure side of this story came 2 days before the race when I woke up and had stomach problems and spent the day not being able to keep anything down.  I was wiped out, and believed that any chances of doing what I thought I could do, were out of the picture and that I was just gonna have to run the race to just run it!  But I also decided that I was just going to keep doing the little things to prepare...hydrate really well, rest as much as possible, and I really focused on staying positive in my head, telling myself that I was going to be ok and that the little bug was going to be gone fast.  Then I decided the day before that I was still going to stick to the plan of hitting a certain pace that would allow me to be close to what I wanted to achieve.  At times I felt I was nuts for thinking I could still do it, but what did I have to lose by trying to run how I have been training?  NOTHING (except a lot of pain...if you screw up in a marathon, you could easily still have 10 miles to go and nothing in the tank...its all part of the fun!)!  My body felt pretty beat up, even after just 4 miles into it...I honestly thought that this might be a long day, but after that, it never seemed to get worse (physically), I focused on keeping the pace as much as possible, staying relaxed in my mind.  I felt alone out there for quite awhile...about half way through (13 miles by the way...heehee!), there was hardly anyone in any direction (come to find out why was because there was only about a dozen or so people in front of me...I didn't know that until it was all over).  But mile 13 to 21, I had a lot of alone time to think...and honestly all I could do was think of you guys...what would I be saying to you, which played over and over in my head...that even though I was physically alone, I really had plenty of support around me as I felt I had little voices telling me that I could keep the pace, to swing my elbows back more, to extend my feet back, to ultimately get that qualifying time (which I was still very close to getting if I could just pick up the pace a little).  Then at mile 22, low and behold, I saw Tanner and Jake, running towards me...just to show the immediate pick me up that it gave me...I was running about a 7 min flat pace for the last few miles but on that mile we ran a 6:30...I told them we needed to slow down a bit or I was not going to survive!  :)   But just having them there, kept me going...in fact, we pretty much kept up the 6:30-40 pace for the rest of the race, which allowed me to run the qualifying time by more than 4 minutes.  I had my little struggles those last 3 miles...I was hot, I was tired, I wanted to stop and walk, but DEEP inside I wanted something more...the truth is, I WAS INVESTED AND THAT MEANT MORE TO ME THAN ANY OTHER THING THAT STOOD IN MY WAY!  I did not come all that way to run just part of it strong...I came to give my BEST that day, the next day...EVERYDAY!  Does that mean everyday will be your Best? Absolutely not, but we should treat everyday like it deserves our BEST, even if we aren't sure if it will work out...what do you gotta lose?  Just the chance that something amazing might happen...like "qualifying" for something you didn't think you could "qualify" for!  :)

Some words from YOBO!
I just have to make an observation or two. It looks very much like we will have 24 or 25 runners over 400 miles before HARC! This is not normal:) There is something extraordinary going on with this team--I can practically feel it on Mondays and Fridays before, during, and after the run. It has even infected me! I simply want to do more!!! This team, from top to bottom, has momentum. I know for me if there is a choice to make on a run of this way vs that way, I choose the harder course! It seems crazy, but I love it, and I do it because of what I see happening around me. There is no sliding back into comfortable this year--we are past the point of no return and it is AWESOME!!!!

Can You Believe it?!

What is amazing to me, not only all the great running that we have been seeing over the summer, but believe it or not, we only have 2 more Canyon Runs!  Can you believe it!  WE have less than a month before our first race (the Premier Invitational @ Settlement Canyon!).  I don't say this to get you nervous, but to get you prepared and EXCITED!  We always wish we had more "time", but at the same "time", we have the exact same amount of the summer as anyone else has!  We may be getting close, but there is also a little bit of "time" to still make a difference.  Put in that little extra everyday...and in a few weeks, you will see the reward...If you choose to do the little extra NOW!  Really decide if you are INVESTED or is it just a cool theme/word that we use! 

As I look at all the miles so far, we are on track to have more people reach 500 miles more than any other year!  We have more people who have reached the Standard mileage for HARC earlier than any other year!  These are great milestones, great things that we need to be celebrating!  But I am also here to remind you that, the BEST in the State, the BEST anywhere, the BEST in YOU, expect more!  We need to remind ourselves that those "milestones" (the mileage, the Canyon run times, etc), are parts of the process to be GREAT...and the main ingredient to take it to the next level, to be able to KNOW that you can RUN with anyone, to RUN better than you ever have, to RUN your BEST...is to be INVESTED!!!!!!!  Are we celebrating those little moments, and then seeing the big picture and doing more?  I guess the question is..."MORE WHAT?"  What should we be doing more of?  This is a question that has been answered all summer...if you are unsure of what you really could be doing, then I challenge you to go READ all the previous POSTS from the summer...if you are really wanting even more, than read last years posts also!  I will tell you that I just read them all and I felt re-excited to be more INVESTED in US...and I am the one who wrote them!  haha!  :)  

I am so excited for all of you!  YOU really are a part of something special, and that is because of what you all bring to this team..doesn't matter if you are the fastest, newest, youngest...you all have a part on this TEAM! 

p.s. HARC considerations are about here.  It is something that many want to do, and the Standards are higher this year due to the INVESTMENT that so many have put in!  This takes nothing away from those who may not go...see the great changes that you have made, see where you have come from and where you are still going!  The Future looks BRIGHT!

Speaking/Running from the HEART!

I need you to know that a lot has been on my mind and heart this week.  Every single one of you, means so much to me...I can look upon any of you and imagine such greatness as I watch, run, and sweat with so many!  :)   But I need to share some truthful thoughts with you...that may seem tough to some of you, but hopefully it should be a REMINDER of why we are striving and working so hard.  If you feel upset with what I am about to share, then most likely you need to make some changes or adjustments (or maybe I have just lost it), OR if you truly are trying your BEST, then hopefully you find the real meaning behind what I am sharing AND YOU ARE INSPIRED TO KEEP DOING AND WANTING MORE!...I can promise you that this goes beyond just Running...or I would stop being your Coach.

HARC is just around the corner.  I know so many of you are trying so hard to go!  When I started HARC 11 years ago, I never really imagined that it would become such a special thing.  I mean, if you really think about it...it's really a lot of torturous, oxygen lacking, mountain goat terrain type running 2 times a day, with an occasional inspirational campfire chat, no real showers, camping on the ground in tents, the possible bloody wound from goblin like tree roots or zombie grabbing rocks of death, and a definite lack of technology...sounds like heaven, right?  But for whatever reason, it has become the Heart and Soul of what this Program represents.  I believe I understand the reasons for so many of you trying to get there...it definitely is a REWARD for those who have given the effort...it is not a punishment for those who don't make it.  HARC does not make or break who you are as a runner or person.  I share this because as I look at the mileage (constantly, by the way), there has been a "Standard" set to help those who really want this, to shoot for that possibility.  As of right now, we have about 30 people who are past the "Standard" mileage or close to it, and there is just no way we can take that many people.  The "Standard" is basically the "minimum" needed to be considered, and quite honestly, the minimum is not going to be enough (of course, there are some exceptions due to injury or situational items, and that is something that your Coaches ponder very sincerely about and are considered very closely).  So we are trying to let you all know how this might play out, because we really do care about all of you and what it takes to go to HARC.  A reminder that HARC is not some Elite only, special club that excludes people...it is simply a Special Place, that has been made special because of the people and what it requires of us, to get there.  HARC considerations are based on ability, attendance to practice, COMMUNICATION WITH COACHES, year in school, working through injuries (this is something that only the Coaches may know and understand), and going above and beyond.  This is not a "favorites" choice by us Coaches...the choice is based on YOU and what you have done to this point.  this is about doing the Best that we can as Coaches and quite honestly, following what we feel is best and right for the Team and individuals.  Some may not like it or may see it differently...if you need an explanation then contact me.  We just want to be upfront and honest with you as we get closer to this because it is one thing not to take people who haven't quite put in the effort, and this year there may be some who may deserve it (to a point), that may not get to this year.  Your Actions (the little things), your communication, your attitude speak louder than any amount of mileage you could do.

Which takes me to what this really is all about (to some degree)!  The Run VIVO Project.  The Project is intended to help those who wanted to take this whole running thing, to another level, not just physically, but in every way possible.  It definitely is a process, and we are learning how to be better at it, but the truth is that only a few are truly living the purpose of the Project...to get the deeper meaning of what it takes to be GREAT (through running!).  It was never created to make separations among our team...it was created to bring out the Best in us through RUNNING!  Honestly, the things that made Team X and Team C special last year, are missing somewhat...there seemed to be more drive, more purpose, more common unity among those who wanted to do something special!  I know not all of you are doing the The Run VIVO Project, but most of you are still striving for greatness and are doing some of the items on that list!  It is time to either really believe that being a part of this project (or even this Team at all...this group of people), is special, or you may need to move onto something else in life.  After every season, for those of you who signed a contract, I will simply go down the VIVO list and ask you if you fulfilled all 17 items, one at a time...if you did, you are living the Project...if not, then hopefully you got something out of it still, and you can restart for the next season.  Sometimes LIFE throws some curve balls at us and it doesn't go exactly as planned...it doesn't mean you are a failure or not trying to be your BEST (like the "project" is trying to help us all do)...it just means you need to adjust and pick yourself back up and keep moving forward...that is what a CHAMPION DOES! My honest thoughts are If you are not 100% INVESTED, then why are you doing this?  Either because you believe that being on this team and running is important and you are getting there, or you are a "Tare" among the Wheat!  I know I am giving you 100%, and so naturally I just want to be around others who want the same thing.  If you feel that you are not there yet, then talk to me, allow me to be your Coach and help you get there...talk to Coach Lund, believe it or not, we really care, (that's what we do as Coaches), 

or you will miss out on some very special things about yourself, and ultimately, that is what it really is all about!

Thanks for reading the Crazy, Heart felt "Rant" of this old Cuban.  I know it was somewhat long, but I feel, that it was very much needed...if not for YOU, for ME!

What is Required?

First of all...there was some very nice racing this last week over the 4th of July Holiday!  I loved seeing the improvements by so many and hopefully YOU can see that the work is paying off, but of course, there is sooooo much more to do...so no comfort zones here...it's time to take the next step!!

We have just finished 6 weeks of our summer! We are nearly HALF-WAY through summer miles.  Can you believe that?!

 I don't want it to end...not because I don't want school to come, but because I have so many things I want to accomplish during summer miles...we need to take advantage of the time we have and really go after those things (goals), that we want. 

Some thoughts that I have for this week begin with the "END" in mind!  It's called backward thinking...what you do is imagine or envision what you want to happen in "the END" and then work your way backwards with the STEPS needed to get there, until you are at the beginning.  Now obviously we are not at the beginning, but I truly feel that we are definitely at a place that MOST of US can really start to see and feel a change happening within each of us!  You may not see it a lot because you all compare yourselves too much to each other and since most of you are improving, it is hard to see the actual improvements that you are making...that is why we do certain runs (like the Canyon run on Fridays), to see how we are doing week to week!  WE are at a "place" where we can START to put more FOUNDATION down (more miles), but especially make the foundation more solid and strong (Quality miles).

By thinking about the "END" in mind, you need to start thinking about what are the STEPS that you must take to get there.  For example, what do you ultimately want to get on the Canyon runs by the end of the summer?  Do you know...if you don't, you should, and are you challenging yourself to go after it or just showing up HOPING everything just goes hunkey-dorey!  :)     I know that STATE and REGION seem quite a long ways away, but if you really want to be the "BEST YOU" in those situations, are you treating the HARD/INTENSE days like they are Region or STATE?  Do you show up for a Monday or Wednesday, or Canyon Run like it is STATE or Region?  Or at least a section of those intense days (which we know can feel like you are putting more pressure on yourself)...but in order to be prepared for what really matters, we need to ACT and DO what is required for those "MOMENTS" in life...just like we need to be more prepared for those moments in running (for any race that we may have!  Don't wait until the end of the season and wish you would have done more, WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!  
So it's time to step it up just a bit...it's time to do just a little more (maybe with your miles, maybe with your attitude, maybe with your help with others...), II'S TIME TO REALIZE THAT THE "END" IS NOT FAR AWAY AND YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF WHAT YOU WANT THE "END" TO BE LIKE!  I know what I want it to be, and I promise you that I am doing all that I can, not just for myself, but especially for all of YOU!  YOU ARE WORTH IT...SO MAKE IT WORTH IT!!!!  Maybe it's time to just Think a little "Backwards!" (with the END in mind!)     :)

We know you can make it happen!!!!! 

What's "Running" through your mind?

I just finished my 9th Wasatch Back Ragnar Relay...and even though that is pretty cool (for an old Cuban like me!), I am not sharing my thoughts to put the focus on me, but I WANT to share my thoughts and experiences to hopefully help YOU...Encourage YOU, to be your BEST!

Most of you probably know about the Ragnar Relay, especially the Wasatch Back Relay, since it was the very first Ragnar Relay ever made (Ragnar started in Utah by the way!).  I was asked by some of my runners if I had ran every leg.  I actually have run almost every leg of the relay (in some form of another...over the years the course has changed a lot, so some of the legs overlap from previous years), but what got me really thinking about this (since some of your runs on the relay can allow you to have lots of time to yourself to think), was why do I keep doing this?  It's not that I don't like or dislike the Relay, but after so many times, do I ever get tired of doing the same thing?  Running can sure seem like that...doing the same route every week, or similar courses, maybe even doing the same effort can seem tiresome (Wapiti again...heehee!)!  We have our good days and our "rougher" days...

So what keeps us going?

I figured out for myself, after all these years of running (24 years), after all these Ragnar Relays (24 hours of hot, cold, lack of sleep, sit in a vehicle for hours)...I DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN!  So what if I have done a particular run a million times, or a race every year...what if that one time, something amazing happens and something clicks and for the first time I realize that I really can do something like that...Run for the unknown possibilities!!!  What do you have to lose?  Uhhhh...nothing but Greatness, by not being your BEST in every moment possible!   I'm not saying that every run must be your fastest (obviously not!), but so what if you feel like you have done that run a ton...you never know what you might get out of it...maybe just you being there HELPS someone else out simply by the way you inspired them, or what you said to them...LOOK FOR THE GOOD IN WHAT YOU ARE A PART OF...EVEN TRICK YOURSELF AT TIMES IF NEEDED TO BELIEVE THAT YOU LOVE EVERY RUN!  Not because you need to "lie" to yourself, but sometimes we all need a little push out the door (with a smile of course!).

I love doing the Wasatch Back because I don't want to miss out on great moments with "my Kids"...with people like YOU who inspire me to want to be the BEST 40 year old Cuban out there!  :)

I remember a few years back sharing an experience about Ragnar to the team...as I was looking over the different sections of the race (each of the "legs" of the race), I found myself looking first for the HARDEST AND TOUGHEST legs of the course.  Not because I wanted to punish myself, but because I wanted to feel like I was giving my BEST!  So I guess that is why I asked in the title of the post..."What's Running through your mind?"  To be truly INVESTED...YOU must ask yourself if you are being your BEST!  Best at your running...attendance to runs...attitude towards yourself and others...desire to improve every week...listening to your Coaches and others who really care about you!!!!!!    

Next time your run up Wapiti, what will you be thinking?  I know what I will be!  :)

How am I doing? Evaluation Time!

I thought this picture was very appropriate with the evaluating of our Goals this next week, and the World Cup and all...Plus, it just made me LAUGH!

We have been going for 4 weeks now!  I'm telling you guys...it's going by fast!  So that is why it is a good time to evaluate where you are at right now.  Many of you are finding out that you really can do this crazy thing called running...some of you are still unsure (trust me...you BELONG!!!!!), but all in all, we have seen some great running!  We are still having a pretty good turnout of runners at all the runs...some days are better than others, but I RE-CHALLENGE YOU ALL TO EVALUATE YOUR GOALS AND ADJUST IF NECESSARY AND PICK UP WHERE YOU ARE AND JUMP ON BOARD THE "TRAIN" AND ENJOY THE RIDE!!!! 


If things haven't gone as well as you wanted, it's ok...just get back on board now and start coming more consistently...you will never be judged or made to feel less simply because it has been less than ideal for you.  In fact, we will be more proud of you for realizing that you matter to us and that this matters to you and it's worth putting your ego behind and start coming back to the "Family!"

If things are going well, that is Awesome, Blossom...but it is still just as important, if not more, to evaluate where you are and what adjustments you want to make!

Adjustments could be anything from miles (more miles or better miles), to coming to practices, to being more consistent, to how you talk to yourself, to your encouragement to others (are we celebrating enough with each other, the great things we are doing?...I would say, "not enough!"). 

I know many of you have great desires to go to HARC!  For many reasons, it is a very special place and requires that you are giving your best.  If you feel that you are not giving your best, and you want to go...then SIMPLY change, or tweak, what you are doing and start giving your best.  The Standard to be even considered for HARC is your mileage.  After 4 weeks of running, you should have 144 miles to be on track (36 miles a week for 4 weeks)...and that is only to be considered.  If you are not there, it's ok, but you need to re-evaluate and make the adjustments to get back on board.
The reason why HARC is so special is because of what it represents...what it requires to be there...what you have put in to be a part of this.  It's not about separating yourself from others, but it does require that you not only do the "Standard" but that you stand out (whether it be through effort, desire, communication, etc).  It's kind of like when you go to get that job you always wanted someday, or when you find that special someone someday...you want to "Standout"...you need to create a reason for why you are the BEST (while still being YOU, of course!)...so the question is...are you giving your BEST?  That is probably the best place to start with your Evaluation!

We have another 4 weeks before HARC considerations are made...we have another 4 weeks to improve from where we are today!  Please trust your Coaches, we really are giving you everything we have to help you ALL be successful!  We want the BEST for you...not just in Running, but especially in the more important things!  It's up to you though!

Happy Running!

Now is the Time!

It is soooo good to see so many still excited and putting in the time and effort, to reach your goals! 

I am going to make this message this week, short and simple.  I was reading an article in Running Times, and the message was about how as humans, we are more concerned about the immediate well being of ourselves, and that our goals seem farther down the road so we worry less, that we get caught up in moments that take us away from what really matters.  When it comes to our running goals, August sure seems a ways away, and that there is time to get it all in...the truth remains, and I am quoting from professionals, "without an EXTENSIVE BASE, you can only perform at the level you bring to the start of the SEASON.  Whatever you have done by August, is how you will perform the majority of your goals.  The Season is spent fine-tuning and improving in areas that can give you an advantage, but the WORK required to be great is NOW!  Re-evaluate where you are, what you want, how you are personally doing, and lets make this a GREAT WEEK!  Believe it or not...YOU all mean a lot to us Coaches and we just want to help you and never have to look back and wish you could've/should've done more!  Make it a Fantastic Week...Now is the Time to make it happen!

Please...talk to us if you need something.  Please talk to us if you just want to share great things also...let us be a part of the process, so that you can see the great things that you are doing!  See the BIG Picture and realize that before you know it...August will be here!  :)

Time to get INVESTED!

What a difference 2 weeks can make!  The first week, we were still in school, trying to balance things...it was also the hottest week we have had so far this summer, but we survived.  The 2nd week, our bodies had to make some "deep" adaptations it seemed like, with soreness and some tough runs, but we survived.  Now the theme for the year, really seems to stand out to me for this week.  If we are truly INVESTED, we will work through the tough moments, we will trust in the work, we will communicate if there are concerns, we will adapt to things that come up (like camps etc), and we will believe that the INVESTMENTS are worth it!  We will believe that the little things really do matter (hydrating, resting, eating right, getting out when you don't feel like it...), and realizing that all you really have to do is show up...and us Coaches, and your Team will do the rest to keep you going!  If you didn't look at the Canyon run times yet and the top 5 combined times compared to last year, then you are missing out!  Do we have a lot of work to still do?  Of course, but to be INVESTED also means that you see the little steps that we are taking to get to the end result!  
Hang in there...see the big picture and take one day at a time!  Now that our bodies have been shocked...they are ready to adapt and do great things...the question is...are our MINDS ready to adapt and believe there is a little more to accomplish this week?  I guess we will find out!  :)   Remember...INVESTMENTS take a little time to reap the rewards...but it also takes constant, consistent effort to get it!  It is all worth it...YOU are worth it!

Nice Warm up! :)

I always love that first week of summer miles!  Everyone is super-uber excited and have such high goals, and even more important...everyone still believes that they will achieve their goals!  I bring that point up because somewhere along the way, things start to creep up and get in the way...we become easily distracted (whether it be other things coming up, or just tired, or lack of believing, or not following the guidelines to help you get through the tough moments)...whatever it might be, they are still distractions!  That is the nice thing about being able to meet as often as possible with other runners...to help each of us stay motivated...to keep that uber excitement going, to help you keep getting out that door! That is why this first week of team runs, is so nice cause the awesome...blossom routine begins and that first week was a nice warm up for great running!

Also, we all need to remember that even with high goals, we need to work our way up, we need to listen to our bodies, we need to communicate with Coaches, so that we can stay healthy (mentally and physically)!  It's ok to feel beat up and sore...honestly, you should never really feel absolutely fresh for a run because that usually means that you are not giving it on the days that you should and there is nothing for your body to adapt to, but we also need to make sure we are doing the little things to keep our minds and bodies at their best!  Are YOU HYDRATING like you should?  Are YOU Stretching, eating, resting...and also doing your other routine things (like making your beds...etc), to keep you sane and living!  :)

Well, we hope you enjoyed the nice first week of "Warm up!"  Keep those goals "running" through your mind often, and take one week at a time...decide now how you are going to make this week a great week and make it happen!  Happy Running!

Summer 2014...Here we come!!!!

Let the Running Begin!  I always love this time of year.  One school year has passed and another will begin shortly...so this time of year is a feeling of a FRESH START...to set some new goals...to do things differently...to START a new Journey!  I hope we all can find some new excitement and HELP EACH OTHER stay committed and excited...to BE INVESTED, in ourselves and each other!  What a great time of year to be a runner!  Let's go Stansbury Runners!