Some of you may know (but most may not), that this summer, our Country celebrated an amazing milestone! 50 years ago, we landed on the moon! That's cool, but Whooop-dee-doo...right! But here is the amazing part of it...50 + years ago, someone DREAMED of something much bigger than anyone had dreamed about. They looked up into the sky and saw the stars far, far away and the glow of the moon and thought, "Lets go there!" Now, there were other "motivators" along the way (beat the Russians in space exploration), but it was the spirit of coming together to pursue something that was literally "OUT OF THIS WORLD!" You need to understand that the technology to do this was way beyond what we had 50 years ago! But that didn't stop them! Airline companies were just barely improving the ability to fly across the ocean's and hold more than 50 people at a time. Computers barely existed and the size of one computer was the size of a house (your cell phones are more powerful than those computers today)! To break the atmosphere required the power of rockets strapped to your ship with the most potent fuel every made and then hope that you calculated correctly (Math!), to come in at the right angles, speed, and location so that you could land softly in a massive body of water called the ocean (and hope they find you)! That doesn't even begin to explain all the details of LANDING on a place that had never been touched before, change in gravity, lack of air, and then attempt to take-off from that same place and get home! These obstacles didn't stop people from pursuing it, in fact, it propelled them to never stop trying! To take those "FIRST STEPS" onto the moon, was a huge undertaking of A LOT OF PEOPLE doing their part to make the DREAM happen.
We also, have taken our "First Steps" of the season! We have just begun firing the ignition of our Rockets...we have put in massive amounts of time and work and sacrifice, to pursue a DREAM! It doesn't matter the obstacles that may stand in our way...we will find the courage, the strength, the desire, the togetherness, to help each other to keep taking those STEPS, toward getting better! The Premier Inv. was an awesome "First Steps" race for us! We had many people (Varsity and ALL), realize that there is a different feeling among our Team this year! Some of you may have looked at your times and thought, "I'm faster than that, why is my time a little slow?" Don't worry about your times exactly (although, many did get some really good times...PR"s!), most of you know, that there is so much more in YOU, and in US, so keep DREAMING, keep talking with each other about the good things and want to keep getting better, keep Trusting the work...it's the only way! Those "First Steps" always lead to greater things...TOGETHER!
You know that we have mentioned many times that we have not "arrived" anywhere yet! And that is true, but what you may not realize are the many little things that you have done to be where you are now! You all have recognized this summer, that it was going to take just a little bit more than you have before, that it was going to require a little bit more dedication, sacrifice, and belief! You can see and FEEL that great things only can happen if we are willing to do the little things...a little bit better!
As we are about to start this season, we want to remind you that "this season" already started last December (for most of you!). That even though, we have our first race of the 2019 season, this Saturday, that you have been constantly building (BECOMING!), what you wanted to be, for some time already (and it will continue to happen till you die.). So we want to help you recognize that you are not the same runner you were when we started! It doesn't matter if it's your first year, or your 4th...you have CHANGED, you have BECOME something BETTER!
We want you to recognize the process that has taken place...not so that you can feel complacent or that you are already "there." It's to help you understand that you are ready to believe in yourself, in each other, in this Team, and run with confidence...that when you get on that starting line, sure you'll have those same nerves acting up, but that you will also FEEL a calm, a strength, a drive that wasn't there before! All you have to do is look at previous Canyon times (yes, last year is updated now!), and look at this summer's Canyon times and you will witness a TRANSFORMATION! It's not always about comparing...you know that we have taught you that, but you must also recognize the distinct CHANGE that has occurred from all the work that you have done...the sacrifice, the time, the consistency, the dedication, the belief in something bigger (even though you couldn't always understand why)! Just look at the Canyon Times from last year, 2 years ago, and so forth, and see what you have done this summer! Even if your times, aren't as fast as you wanted them to be, some of you were unsure if the work was paying off, and yet, look at how much you have CHANGED over the summer, how many MINUTES have been taken off! Look at the significant CHANGES in how many kids have improved! How many girls there are that have made the Canyon club or took more than 4-5 minutes off their first time running it, to where they are now...UNBELIEVABLE! To our guys, who we saw 11 boys under 26 minutes!...Never before has that happened! And many more boys who have CHANGED their previous years bests, by minutes to this summer!
See the good that you are doing! It's hard sometimes to see the CHANGE when you have such a great Team and maybe it feels like you aren't moving up...but look at what you have BECOME due to the challenge of GREATNESS! Look at the Strength that has CHANGED, the drive that has CHANGED, the commitment that has CHANGED, the "times" that have CHANGED, the mindset that has CHANGED! NO, we have not "arrived" anywhere yet...but we sure hope that you are Excited, that you are seeing and believing in the CHANGE that has taken place and that you now move forward and have FUN showing that CHANGE! Don't just take our word for it...go look! Whether you improved a lot, or just a little, or were consistent...the most important thing to understand is that
YOU HAVE CHANGED!
Challenge for the week!: Go back and read over the posts for the summer before our race on Saturday (on the right side of the blog, you will see years and months which then have the title of the post)! See the CHANGE that has taken place by remembering where we have been and where we are STILL GOING! It will make a difference, if you do this throughout the week!
I was recently at an event, and I witnessed this mom and her little 8 or 9 year old son, following her to their seats. The boy looked very tired and worn out, and it was obvious why. He had a bald head and sunken eyes due to a fight with cancer. He looked so frail and yet so tough, so I couldn't help but watch this little boy as we waited for the event to start. I noticed he would lean on his mom's arm every so often and pat her leg. But one time, he simply sat forward and placed his head in his hands as he leaned forward, to rest his head. I could see mom whisper and her lips asked if he was ok? I could see the boys lips say that he was just tired. Then mom patted him gently and told him to lay down on her lap, and this is the part that just struck me...the little boy simply said, "I'm ok mom, I GOT THIS!" It made me realize that no matter the situation, the circumstances...we don't always get to choose WHAT we face, but we get to choose HOW we face situations. That little boy inspired my Heart to WANT to be better, to know that "I GOT THIS!"
I was asked, just recently, "HOW can we become better, Coach? What do we need to do to really take the next step?" At first, I wasn't exactly sure how to answer that directly...I mean, there are so many factors that can affect the PROCESS! But you may already know how we like to respond to most questions, we like to keep things SIMPLE and definitely POSSIBLE!
WE NEED TO DECIDE, THAT IT IS WORTH DOING WHAT IT TAKES!
Are we truly desirous to TRUST our Coaches, to communicate with our Coaches and each other, EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we reminding ourselves EVERY SINGLE DAY, what our beliefs are about running?...Are we telling ourselves what we will be EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we reading EVERY SINGLE DAY, what our goals are to ourselves so that we KNOW it's worth doing?...Are we training EVERY SINGLE DAY (even on Sunday, rest day!), to be exactly what we believe we are?...Are we taking care of ourselves, EVERY SINGLE DAY, by hydrating, eating, sleeping, thinking, talking, smiling, like the Champion we really want to be?...Are we being POSITIVE with our training EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we being courageous (overcoming doubt and fear with Love and Gratitude), EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we simply seeing the good in ourselves and each other, EVERY SINGLE DAY?! We could go on and on...YOU can fill in whatever is necessary for You and your Team, if you need to, but EVERY SINGLE DAY is a GIFT! It is a blessing and a privilege to pursue what we are pursuing, so remember...
YOU GOT THIS...EVERY SINGLE DAY!
Train your Mind, your Heart, your Capacity to do the little things, EVERY SINGLE DAY...
and you will be amazed at what will happen!
I found this video on Kipchoge about what separates him from others (in case you don't know anything about Kipchoge, he holds the World Record for the Marathon and was the one who starred in the Breaking 2 hours for the marathon a couple of years ago). This may be geared towards the marathon, but can really be valuable in lots of other aspects...ENJOY!
All we can do and should always do, IS GIVE OUR BEST! It is obvious that we have big goals, high expectations (for ourselves and for our Team), and that those aspirations are absolutely worth training, fighting, and sacrificing for! All we want as Coaches, for you guys, is to recognize what we see in you...that you begin to FEEL the strength that comes from within and with each other...to go beyond what you ever thought was possible! And we strive to do this in many different ways, but one of the BEST is through RUNNING! Those who choose to see beyond the daily grind of all the miles, or the minor setbacks of Canyon run times, or injuries...those who choose to have just a little more faith (remember, faith is pretty much trusting without really knowing for sure!), in the process of chasing a dream or goals, that might seem far fetched...that's when GREATNESS happens! But that is also what makes it all worth it! Something to go after, to believe in...whether we or you actually obtain it, doesn't really matter if you gave all that you could!
There are only so many things that you can control, especially in running! Here are a few take-aways from my marathon experience this last week, that I feel will continue to help you in this pursuit of RUNNING.
No matter how much you train or think that you have trained, there is always things that we can do better. This doesn't mean that we aren't doing great things, or that you are a slacker/lazy...it means that there are little things that we can improve on that can be difference makers. In training for this marathon (which wasn't my ultimate goal for this season...this marathon was a stepping stone towards the one I am doing in September), I wanted to still be able to try and qualify for Boston. I really believed that I could, especially with all the miles that I have done this summer. In fact, this is the most miles I have run in any summer! So even though I was unsure of what I would do exactly (since I haven't ran a fast marathon in several years...injury and surgery), I also felt confident that I could still focus on a good pace and push my comfort zone. Looking back, I know I was strong enough, that I had put in the miles, but I had missed a key ingredient to having a MORE successful outcome...in running a marathon successfully is dependent on the terrain of the race. Even though you must be strong and capable of a certain pace, you must be acclimated to the type of terrain. DNews marathon has some tough hill sections that can really slow your overall time, but it also has mostly long, steady down hills in the course. Usually I have done at least one long, down hill training run to prepare my body for the "pounding" that will absolutely occur from the terrain. I never did this...whether it was because of time or maybe over-confidence in just my miles, I didn't do this little thing. It ended up being the only thing that held me back from "FEELING" I could have done better! Now, don't get me wrong...I am happy with what I did and accomplished...I still ran strong, and ran a lot of the race around the pace I wanted to obtain, BUT I KNOW THERE IS STILL MORE! And instead of getting down or upset about that, it is actually fueling me to want to do a little better, and give myself the BEST chance possible, next time (it's never a guarantee...but I'm guaranteed to NOT get it if I just do the same thing again!...I prefer to take the chance or being BETTER!).
So many of you are doing great training, great running, pushing your comfort zones, doing just a little more than you have before...just remember, there are always little things that we can do just a little better! Picture the Teams, or individuals that you know you will be competing against and imagine them training just like you are...are you doing anything different then they are to gain an advantage? Your training, your attitude, your mentality should be that THERE IS STILL A LITTLE BIT MORE that I can do! Whether its miles, or working on confidence, or pushing through the comfort zone, or hydrating/eating/sleeping better, or seeing the good that you are doing (improvements along the way), or writing down your goals and training the brain to know what they are EVERY SINGLE DAY! These are the things that we can control, that we can still do more...without being crazy about all that you are already doing!
Every single one of us are different stages of where we want to be...this is why not everyone is able to attend HARC this week. But it doesn't matter if you are going to HARC or not...it is obviously a place we all should aim for, but it does not "make or break us" as a runner and especially as a person! So all of us this week should just look within ourselves and ask...IS THERE STILL A LITTLE MORE? We are confident, you know the answer...you just need to decide what it is!
We may all seem like we are on the same "path," but as we run along the path, every single one of us recognizes our potential at different times. Some earlier than others, some along the toughest hills, some along the ridge line, some along the loop back, some along view points, but the amazing thing is that somewhere on the "run," we realize that this is why we started! It is easy to feel lost as to why we keep doing this...showing up early in the morning, hanging out to stretch after a long run, doing those extra core exercises, getting to bed early even though I'd rather watch a show, remembering that we started all this because we wanted something! We don't always remember why we "wanted it" but we FELT something when we first decided...when we STARTED! We recognized that it was worth going after...but after the days, and months go by, and we feel tired, or even possibly discouraged about what could be, we get caught up in the routine of just running and forget the bigger reason for trying everyday, we maybe get a little behind or miss an important goal, we forget that we are human and sometimes just need to reset and pick ourselves back up...we remember that there is something BIGGER and we must TRUST that this is enough of a reason to keep going, to keep working at it, to keep running! We know... easier said than done, but you already know what your DREAMS are, what your GOALS are, what you are "Running towards," so the question is not about what you will do...obviously we keep RUNNING, we keep getting up in the morning, we keep showing up to practice, we keep helping each other, we keep seeing the good in ourselves, we keep trusting the process! Now is the time, more than ever, to simply ELEVATE all those things that we need to "keep" doing and remember...
Why we started!
It doesn't matter where you are along the "path." What matters is we learn to recognize what we can BECOME and what we are BECOMING!
"The things in life that are worth having are never easy to obtain!"
We know that it may feel like we put a lot into this running thing, that it can feel like its all that matters...but the simple truth is this...Running is what we make it! As with anything that we work hard at or believe in or are passionate about! It requires taking a chance on yourself, putting yourself out there and taking a chance that you might mess up a little, and that you might be surprised that you are stronger than you thought! But we will never know, unless we are willing to put in that time, to maybe have a little FAITH that this running thing just might take us somewhere "farther" than we ever imagined! But the only way to understand that is to actually do it...to SACRIFICE for the things that matter to you, because in the end, YOU ARE THE ONE THAT HAS TO LIVE WITH WHAT YOU CHOSE TO DO! TO GIVE YOUR BEST!
Even though HARC considerations are pretty much done, no invites have been sent out at this time (July 13 at 8pm). We know that many of you want to go to HARC, many of you "talked" about doing what it takes, and we still believe that in your heart you really do want to do what it takes, but with HARC (as with many things in LIFE), it requires the best of you in our program. It's interesting that we feel that we must explain our situation every summer when it comes to HARC, but really, its simple...either you did what you could have, should have, or are able to do.If you feel unsure whether you did enough, then you probably already know. It's not about leaving people out...trust us on this...it truly breaks my heart most summers to not take some of you (because we know how much a simple, seemingly dumb thing like RUNNING, can change your life!), but that is also what allows each of us to feel and know how to be better, to sacrifice, to learn how to overcome anything! If HARC was given no matter what we did, then it would be just another run in the mountains. But HARC is NOT the ultimate place to get to! It definitely is a special place and definitely must be earned, but the BEST is always around the corner...if it wasn't, then explain to me why I keep running?
Because there really is so much more around the corner!
Whether you go to HARC or not, this TEAM, this Program, Running...IS WHAT WE MAKE IT! Chose to keep making something special, no matter what...have a little faith, keep believing, take a chance on you-this Team, and no matter the outcome, you will look back and know what to do better, what to keep doing, and recognize the Greatness...this is the process of BECOMING!
I saw this video (crazily enough, was just made a few days ago). I feel it can explain a lot of how we feel and our situation in moving forward...NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW! Enjoy, be Happy with YOU! See where you are and where you want to be and check to see if you are on that path or if there needs to be some adjustments. In the end, this is all worth doing...yes, Running is really worth doing...WITH YOU!
We can't tell you enough how much we try to make these Posts, to be moments that can hopefully help you or inspire you! It's definitely not something we plan or know exactly what to say...in fact, while running the Island run yesterday, I wasn't sure what to write. So these posts/letters to you guys are simple moments of Clarity that we have, that we feel can help you in this process of BECOMING the best US possible!
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE what you can POSSIBLY do! This post can seem a little personal to some extent only because I will share a little of how I felt this last week (and the weeks leading up to this week). I only share my story, to help all of you know that WE struggle and work through this process just like the rest of you! Like many of you, I ran a race this last 4th of July in my hometown of Riverton. I have ran this 10K many times (since I was a HS runner). I kind of know what to expect and how tough it can be. I know that we have been training hard and putting in quite a bit of miles...I know I have been putting in some miles that I haven't been able to do for years (because of my foot). So I know I have been putting in the time, but like most of you, I wasn't really 100% confident of what I really could do...and the human side of me was nervous that trying to push a decent pace in the 10K would result in just suffering the last couple of miles and hanging on for dear life! Plus, I really am pursuing the goal of qualifying for the Boston marathon (which requires a certain pace over 26 miles!). Since the last few weeks of putting in around 60 miles a week, I have been feeling quite tired on some of the runs...in fact, some of the runs I could barely muster out 8-8:30 mile pace for half of the run, so I was truly unsure of how my training was going to help me keep my goal pace for the 10K, let alone the Marathon!
This is where the BECOMING part takes place!!!!! We have told you many, many times to TRUST the TRAINING or the PROCESS...even I, who tells you this often, had to be reminded to do the same! When I started the 10K, I felt if I could just run around 7-7:14 min mile pace (which is roughly what I need for the Boston marathon), and still feel ok at the end, then it would be a success. I was just going to go out, and FEEL strong but be relaxed and not get caught up in the race. I wasn't going to look at my watch until the first mile and then see how I was doing compared to how I FELT. Normally, in this race, I am up in the top 10 to begin with (like I said, I've done it many times), but I was around 20th, but I wasn't discouraged at all, because I had a purpose of what I was trying to do plus, I still wasn't sure of what I really could do. We came by the 1st mile and my watch said 6:45 mile pace. I was a little shocked, I was going a little faster than planned and also, because I knew I was holding back a bit and felt like I could go much faster (of course, it was still only the first mile!...I reminded myself to be patient, but to also stay positive and that I could keep the pace!). To make a longer story short, I averaged a 6:35 mile pace for the race...reminding myself that I was strong and that I was capable of doing this! Of course, by the last 1.5 miles, I was feeling tired and quite spent from pushing a pace that I haven't even come close to training at (ALL SUMMER!), but I truly UNDERESTIMATED myself and what I can do! Now, this is not to say that you will automatically run much faster pace times, then what we have been training...but what it does say is that putting in the TIME, EFFORT, MILES, PATIENCE, TRUSTING THE PROCESS, UNDERSTANDING WHAT WE ARE BECOMING...is going to get us where we want to be!BELIEVE in what we are doing...support one another, especially in our struggles because, even though YOU might have some success, it is so much more FUN TOGETHER (that is why I am sharing this and not keeping it to myself...to hopefully help you all see the great things we are doing!)!!!!! In the famous words of Michael Scott from the office, "instead of underestimating me, maybe next time you'll ESTIMATE ME!"
Keep working like you have so much more to do (because we do...we haven't arrived anywhere yet!), but TRUST what we are doing, be there for each other, do the little things (hydrate, read the blog, update your miles, be to practice, communicate, keep doing just a little bit more for the chance to BECOME the Best YOU!
We've heard many times the saying, that when you fall you get back up! Of course that is what we are always striving for...that is what it means to be Great! But the real difference is seeing beyond the "fall" or the mistakes that we might make and still pursue the DREAM...to RISE UP not just because it's the right thing to do, but because it is the ONLY THING WE DO! This is why we train, why we get up everyday, why we run rain or shine-cold or hot, why we FEEL sore and tired (yet stronger every week!), why we encourage the mind with crazy positivity, why we sacrifice, why we hydrate, why we sweat, go to bed early and get up early, why we are considered crazy for what we do (I would call it Passion for Life!), why we RUN!
Rising Up needs to be the only way we know how to do things, because the alternative is to stop, quit, and give up (words and thoughts that we work on eradicating from our thoughts and vocabulary!). We share these thoughts with you because it is that time of the summer where we start to really FEEL the weight of the miles and the struggles and the time and the sacrifice...BUT THOSE ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS TO BECOMING GREAT!!!!! There are no other secret ways to do less and be great. We must CONTINUE to see the big picture, the DREAM, the reasons for getting up...RISING UP to the challenge (Eye of the tiger lyric!), and helping each other get there! Even the Elites have struggles, but what separates them from others, is their ability to RISE UP, even when it's not clicking and how to work through the difficulties, to trust the work, to dig deep because for them, the alternative is not an option...and it is not for us either! Let's RISE UP this week, enjoy the holiday (remember the freedoms that we are blessed with), continue to strengthen your mind and your resolve to sacrifice now for the rewards that will come later! YOU ARE WORTH IT!
I know we have been putting on some videos the last few posts, but I just love the way it inspires me and makes me feel, like I really can do these things! So, enjoy watching how the first part will show struggles of runners and then what their resolve is! Our limits are what we make them. :) You have to listen closely when Kipchoge speaks (World Marathon record holder!). His accent can be difficult to understand, but he has the most amazing mental toughness and is sharing what helps him!
There are many different ideas and thoughts about how to be a champion or how to win! But you know how we think about this...keep it simple! The idea is simple, but the PROCESS is much more than that (if it wasn't, then everyone would be doing it). But that is the beauty about the process...the hours that it takes to be great, the tired muscles, the getting to bed earlier when you'd rather stay up, the being at practice, the trust in your coaches and each other, the early mornings, in the heat or the cold, overcoming the human mindset and sticking with what you started! ALL OF US go through these moments! We are definitely at a defining moment time right now!!!!!!! We have been doing this for a month now. Those who have stuck with it, are still adjusting but we can sense that we are about to "CREST THE PEAK OF THE FIRST HILL" and what a view it will be as we make it over this first part of the PROCESS! Those who have been off and on, are either unsure because they have felt more tired than expected (at times!), trying to fit in (help each other a little more!), or they feel they are slipping behind a bit. NOW IS THE TIME TO DECIDE FOR ALL OF US...DO WE HAVE THE HEART OF A CHAMPION? It doesn't matter if you are the newest kid on the team, or the slowest, or the fastest, or a Varsity runner, or a mid-pack runner...Take the next step in the PROCESS! Believe that it is all worth it! Be your best at working around obstacles (like work, camps, vacations, life!), and see the good that you are doing! KNOW THAT WHAT YOU DO TODAY, TOMORROW, AND THE NEXT DAY, are what matter more, than the Race itself. Because what YOU are willing to give today, tomorrow, and the next day...
determines HOW YOU WIN!
Here's another video to help inspire the desire to keep believing, to keep working, to keep Running!
We feel like this week is about REMINDING ourselves, what it is we are really doing and why! We already understand that this "Running thing" can seem odd and strange to many others (sometimes, even to ourselves). But it isn't until we experience the "RUN" that we find out that there is something special in putting one foot in front of the other and going further than we have before! I saw a shirt this weekend that said kind of how we feel (I will tweak it a bit to fit our exact thoughts)..."is it still crazy if we are all doing it together?" What we are pursuing (remember the BIG GOALS that we are aiming for), can appear "Crazy" but to us...together...it is actually a beautiful time, a bonding, an exploration of what will be as we keep putting one foot in front of the other...TOGETHER!
We have 2 videos to watch, that share this REMINDER or what we are BECOMING and why! It takes realizing that YES, we are "odd," yet a part of something bigger and it only BECOMES special when we go believe in the process and pursue it...TOGETHER! The other reason is that we need to remember that this summer time...there is no exception as to how important it really is! There will always be "obstacles," but keep pursuing that dream, the big goals, and recognize that it is the TIME and EFFORT between the "RACES" that is the most important...not the race itself! Just focus on this week...make this week feel like it is the most important for you, to overcome any obstacles, to get your goals for the week, like it will make all the difference...because it will!
I love being able to take this time with my family and get away for a little bit, right at the beginning of the summer. It rejuvenates the soul and reminds me of what is most important! It has been wonderful to just hangout with my family and enjoy new scenery, different cultures, history, just chill for a few moments, and there are 2 specific things that have really touched my Heart, that I didn't expect, while here!
1. I contemplated while sitting on the beach the other night, watching the sun go down, listening to the waves crash...there were not many others around, and I was in awe of the beauty of this amazing World. Now, I have witnessed many different kinds of sunsets (even more amazing ones, to be honest), but this evening I just felt so GRATEFUL for what I have! In this vast Earth, we are pretty insignificant, little beings, compared to the mighty ocean, to the tallest peaks, to the amount of life that surrounds us. But we have such a special place on this Earth. The very same things that make this Earth special, are the very same things that make it seem scary...Humans! With all the beauty around me, I thought to myself, what would it be like if I was the only one here? Then I looked in the distance and saw a couple of my kids just walking the beach looking for shells, my wife sitting by my side on the bench, and really recognized that the RELATIONSHIPS that I have, are really what make this World amazing! It is the people that I surround myself with, and share the ups and downs with, work hard with, laugh and cry with, inspire and motivate with...that make it all worth it!SO... recognize and appreciate the many great things that you have, the people in your life, the ability to pursue things like RUNNING, to help others...to make this amazing World a better place! Because you do make a difference! YOU are part of the reason we feel that this World is awesome!
2. The other thing that really feels significant while I have been here, is the culture of the Polynesians! They truly understand the importance of "Family" and what it means to represent what they do (and how they do it), with Honor and Respect! They look out for each other, they enjoy every ounce of what life has to offer, they share everything they have, they pass on stories and precious things from one generation to the next...TRADITION matters to them!The things that matter most, do not change for these people, no matter what improvements are made in technology, or how many people visit their homeland; they believe in living in the "Now" but never forgetting what makes their people special (the past, the traditions, the way of life, the stories, the kindness, the togetherness!). We sure hope that what makes "Our Running Family" special, really does seem special to you! Sure, it requires a lot of work, and time together, and overcoming stinking obstacles, and remembering the big picture...it also requires recognizing those who have paved the way for this program! Realizing that what YOU are doing and are a part of, really is special because of the Traditions of the past and the Traditions YOU are making! YOU are a part of something bigger and better than YOU ever imagined! The HEART of what we do...? IS YOU! Pass it on...live it to the fullest and hang onto those Dreams...that is what helps us in our BECOMING the Best version of ourselves! Run on my Friends!
Have you ever really asked yourself, why do we start summer running so early? Why is it a big deal? Or maybe even asked why it is that important to focus so much on it at all? We know that you understand that in order to be great at this running thing, WE MUST BUILD A FOUNDATION for everything that we do. But how "BIG" does that Foundation need to be? To answer this, lets look at it from a little different perspective. BECOMING who YOU are striving to be, truly is a lifetime pursuit! It is much longer than a summer of training (much longer than 4 years of HS summer training)...it is longer than your college experience will be, it is longer than your marriage...it will out live your future kids and grandkids. BECOMING is one of the most amazing pursuits that YOU will ever be involved in! It requires patience, strong-will, consistency, big picture mentality, humility, positive outlook (even when it seems impossible!), determination, dedication, love (for what you do and for others!), forgiving, trust, and more. It definitely is a PROCESS that can seem long and daunting to stick with, but it is the only way to BECOME who you are BECOMING. There are no secret shortcuts or skipping steps to jump ahead...it is one day at a time! And as you use this to help you BECOME the Best Runner possible, it is no different...all the things listed above are the same things that will help YOU BECOME the best version of the Runner you want to be (here's a little secret...it is also the same way YOU BCOME the best PERSON you want to be!).
So why do we spend so much time (from the beginning of the summer and on) for Running? Because there are no shortcuts to building that Foundation that we all need to be Great!
Here's even a little science behind the time required to do Great things. We run all summer, we ask you to be consistent all summer, you have constant obstacles to work around to get your miles, but here is the science reason behind it. To create a STRUCTURAL CHANGE in your body (that means the physical adaptations- mitochondria, red blood cells, muscles for running, strong bones, cadence, form...also the aerobic strength that you need to improve, the strength to last the "Race"), these changes REQUIRE 20-24 weeks of consistent training to get the FULL EFFECT! That time frame means that the week before STATE XC is when we will reach our FULL potential...IF WE WORK AT IT NOW...STICK WITH IT NOW...HELP EACH OTHER NOW...START BECOMING WHO WE WANT TO BE...NOW, then and only then, will we have a the opportunity to make it happen! (just a side note: the speed aspect of running is not a structural change as much as it is an energy system change. That takes about 9-11 weeks to reach full potential, so that is why we are not pushing a ton of workouts anaerobically in the summer! Just enough to help create a strong foundation and mental toughness!).
The secret is to realize that Today matters, and we only need to do our BEST TODAY. If today is a rough day or off a little, it's ok (hopefully there aren't too many of those), but don't try to cram what you may have missed into the next day...reset and make the next day the Best that day should be!
Hopefully this all makes sense to you...all we want for all of you is to see what it takes and that you are capable of doing it! That the process can seem forever and never-ending (much like a race can feel like), but the Foundation we are creating, that we started last week (and began years ago for many of you), is what will allow you to overcome any obstacle, help you be your Best YOU...create who you are BECOMING!
Unbelievable that it's another Summer! Filled with fun, rejuvenation, friends, and hopefully...RUNNING! We just want to remind you, that as you pursue your goals, MANY things will try to get in your way (not because they are bad things, but because life just gets full of lots of stuff). YOU MUST DECIDE NOW WHAT IT IS YOU WANT TO BECOME! That will be the only way to overcome any distractions, any obstacles, so that when it gets tough to get out there and accomplish what you are BECOMING...YOU won't be deterred easily or discouraged by what life might throw at you! Just take it one day at a time...one step will lead to the next one...and the next one. Let's start off this summer believing that it is possible and THEN MAKE IT HAPPEN!
Running is obviously not the easiest thing to do...
it can seem daunting and repetitious, but so is breathing, eating, sleeping, and so forth...it's about taking the somewhat normal things we do and becoming something better! That is our goal for this summer...help all of YOU, no matter what level you are at, no matter how new you are or experienced you may feel...there is always more to become the...
