The TRUTH and some Toughness

We would love to be spending time just talking about the introduction of the book...about "Perception of Effort" and about the traits of a Champion, but we feel we need to take some time to help you see and understand something that maybe you don't realize.  So we hope you read all of this and take it to Heart!

We have been doing summer miles for 5 weeks now.  There has never been a substitute plan or shortcut way to be Great in this sport.  Summer miles and putting in the time and sacrifice sometimes can feel daunting and tiring and can leave you feeling unsure if it really is worth it all.  

The TRUTH is that there is NO substitute or short cut or other way to GIVE YOURSELF THE CHANCE TO BE GREAT...TO BE YOUR BEST!  

As I have looked over the miles so far, there are some of you who are really extending yourself, really challenging the mind and body.  We have noticed that in the last week or so, more of you are starting to pick up the miles...starting to show up to practice more consistently...we see more of you really trying to put in the miles and the time (whether you are new, a veteran, or have been injured).  So after 5 weeks of "getting our feet wet" and slowly moving up the miles, we feel it is important to share a secret with you!  If you really want to be a Varsity type runner (that doesn't mean you have to be or will be a varsity runner, but are striving for that...acting like that...thinking like that), Then summer mileage goals should be going for 700 miles for the summer.  There is just no substitute for this goal.  There is a definite and very strong difference between those that go after 700 miles (or more), than those that get 500 to 650.  People who get 500 miles to 650 miles, have really good seasons and find themselves being competitive and strong, but they find out that they only had a "Good" season (which is good, by the way).  But if you want more...the ones that go after 700, have a "Great" season!   Now, none of this is a guarantee (nothing in Life is!), but like we said earlier...it's all about GIVING YOURSELF THE CHANCE TO BE GREAT!  The reason for sharing this, is not only is this program about being your BEST for the season, but going after things like HARC.  Looking over your miles, many of you are just barely getting it...some of you don't even have the required miles to go (and it's not because of injury...or at least we don't know about it).  HARC considerations are going to have to happen earlier (due to our "situation" with covid...we must have ALL precautions in place and there are extra steps that we must ensure the safety of everyone, so don't assume you have time!).      Another little secret...You will not get invited to HARC if you don't have the miles (exceptions are those who have talked to us about injuries or situations)!  We can see those who's abilities are borderline to go, but are putting in the miles and really extending themselves in their running...they have a better chance than someone who is naturally talented but isn't putting in the miles (or maybe just need to put the miles in on the blog...either one is a REQUIREMENT!).  Life is not going to take it easy on you, and neither is getting to HARC.  We are not about punishing anyone...that is not what we are about!  We are about rewarding those who have EARNED it!   It's a PROCESS, which is why not everyone gets to go...but everyone has a chance to make it EVERY SINGLE YEAR!  Prove yourself!  

With that said, we are not saying to you must get 700 miles for the summer (or 500 or 600 or whatever you are going for)...but our thoughts are that starting from right now, this week, start doing the weekly miles (using the wave format) as if you were going for those goals!  In the end, it may not equal 700 miles (or the total you are shooting for), but it will be close, and it will CHANGE your mindset, your ability, your confidence, and your chances for Greatness (prove yourself for HARC).  Please don't take this that you are not doing enough!  We are here to Challenge you, to help you see what it really takes to take this crazy thing called running and use it to better yourself in SOOOOOO MANY WAYS!  If you feel and know that you are already doing the Best that you can, AWESOME...keep going!  If you feel and know that you can make a change, that you can do better, that you have been tentative or uncertain in your ability...TAKE A CHANCE ON YOURSELF!  We are!  That's why we spend so much time with you every summer, every week, every day!  We know deep inside that it is worth it...every single one of YOU!  Not all of us will be Varsity runners, or possibly make the "Canyon Club" times, etc...but the point is about LIVING (and running), like a Champion...giving your Best, no matter the possible outcomes!  The Greatest Moments over the years has been witnessing those who went beyond what they thought possible in themselves! To overcome the obstacles (self doubt, uncertainty, the worlds view of what is great), and worked on the little things that hold us all back a little!  Those are the things that really stand out about YOU...And that is the TRUTH!

Now for some additional motivation!

There are a few things that I love about the Introduction to the book, "How Bad Do You Want it" (if you haven't received your book, either you need to get your miles on the blog and strava up to date and/or ask me to get yours!  It's FREE to all those who have earned it by keeping your miles up to date on strava and on the weekly miles on the blog!).  I love the experience he had as little kid, to recognizing his own struggles and weaknesses as a teenager (being out kicked in the race simply because he felt he didn't want it as much...it carried over to later things in his life!), to understanding the reasons (personally and scientifically), why he felt that way as a kid and even as an adult.  The key statement in this (and through all of the book), is PERCEPTION OF EFFORT!  Our minds and bodies have this "feeling" that we "think or feel" we are giving our best or that the effort we are giving is the MAX we have available.  But in reality, it is just our minds telling our bodies (kind of like a protective mechanism), that this is far enough or fast enough, and we really have the ability to do more.  It definitely is a process to learn how to recognize this and work through this, but the wonderful thing about this book, is that it is going to help us see how to do that! If you haven't read the introduction yet...GO DO IT!  The next chapters only get better!  This next week, we need to start reading Chapter 1...A Fire Walk!  I love this first chapter as it will help you start to see the barriers that hold us all back (not just in running, but in everything!).  The story about Sammy is really cool to see that there is a balance between being mentally tough (the Trait for today...read below!), and being a good person/runner!  At the very bottom, I will put the race from Sammy's story that is in the book, that is on youtube.  DON'T WATCH THE VIDEO UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE STORY FIRST IN THE BOOK.  It's very exciting!  

Trait #3 of a Champion: GRIT

The Toughness that is required to just get through life, is something that we must work on every single day!  We don't just "arrive" one day and have the GRIT that it takes to overcome anything and everything! But working on this trait is something that really needs to be done DAILY!  The book we are reading really focuses on this trait, GRIT (it may not say it directly, but you will see the underlying theme of GRIT and Toughness in the book constantly).  Maybe this is why we felt it was important to talk about what we did at the beginning of the post.  We hope you take this all to HEART...that it helps you recognize little by little, all the pieces that eventually (yes, eventually!), come together and create "the Masterpiece" who is YOU!

The Grittiest people have the ability to recognize WHY they want to "FINISH" and the Process doesn't stop them (no matter how scary it seems or long or hard it may be).  This is a great TRAIT to work on every single day!  Ask yourself every day "what you will do to be just a little Tougher today...to have a little more GRIT!"  I will tell you this...I would take a Grittier person over a more Talented person, EVERY SINGLE TIME!  GRIT can be learned, can be improved, can be worked on...please take the steps to try and better yourself in every way...being a part of this Team is part of that Process!

Cool 2 minute video to help you FEEL the desire to reach inside yourself just a little bit more!

Here is the video on Sammy Wanjiru.  Don't watch it until you have read the story in 

Chapter 1!

Reaching the SUMmit!

     

During this next week, if you haven't yet...begin reading your book How Bad Do You Want It.  We understand that some of you like to read and will read faster...it's ok to go as fast as you would like...we also understand to get some of you to read will be a challenge in itself (and truthfully, it is up to YOU whether you want to read this amazing book or not...you get out what you put into it!).  We just want to help you see what we see in you everyday!  We want to give this book to you (it is EARNED first of course!), to allow YOU to Become theBest version of YOU!  We will focus on sections at a time, to help guide you and get the most out of it.  It will be a slow pace, so no matter how fast you read or not, take the time to focus on stuff we give to you as we discover the hidden potential in each of you.  

For this week:  Take the time to really read the introduction!  Use the guided questions on the blog, and look for the Defining moments in his story that you can relate to and how it will change your perspective, life, and even your running!

Now, for the thoughts of the week!

Getting to the "Top of the Mountain" has never been about actually getting to the top.  

IT IS ABOUT WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THERE!  

Being able to truly understand the PROCESS of WHY we do this, will allow each of us to not only find PURPOSE in what we are doing, but CHANGE our PERSPECTIVE on what is important!  

Trait #2 of a Champion:  Focus on the PROCESS

Having goals are a great way to help you keep the course, to help you keep on going, to BEGIN the PROCESS of seeing the Big Picture!  But what if your "goal" didn't happen exactly as you thought it should...maybe you had an injury and required you to back off your total miles...maybe you thought there wouldn't be any "obstacles" that would slow you down, or you wouldn't be so tired, or beat up...it just doesn't always turn out exactly as we imagine...that's LIFE!  So here is the key to this trait...ask yourself, "What am I doing in the HERE and NOW to get me one step closer to my goal?"  What am I doing today to make a difference for tomorrow?  It is obviously difficult to climb a mountain, to push through the discomfort, to steadily get closer to that SUMMIT!  It requires determination...to look beyond the end result, to see the top from down below and tell yourself, "I'm going to be up there, that's where I will be" instead of, "that is too far away or that is going to take me forever!"  I mentioned earlier in the announcements how the Challenge run helped change some peoples perspectives simply by convincing yourself that it was going to be tough to go that far, but because you didn't shy away from it or doubt that it was possible, YOU JUST WENT FOR IT AND IN THE PROCESS YOU DISCOVERED THAT IT WENT BY FASTER, OR THAT IT WASN'T AS HARD AS YOU THOUGHT!  YOU CHANGED THE "STANDARD" FOR WHAT YOU THOUGHT WAS THE NORM...and now your STANDARD is Higher!   

Focusing on the PROCESS is how WE REACH THE SUMmit!  It is about ADDING (the SUM), all the little things together, over time, and then knowing YOU GAVE YOUR BEST!  

The Result or Outcome, will take care of itself...plus, you can't control the outcome...you can't control what others do, you can't control the weather of race day, but you can be prepared to show up that day and know that YOU put the work in, YOU put in the time, YOU changed your Perspective, YOU ENJOY THE PROCESS!  Either way, you will show up at the "START LINE" and know whether you did what you could (the PROCESS), or you will doubt because you focused on the result and were intimidated by the requirements!  Decide today and do today, what you want for tomorrow!  

Focus on the PROCESS!

I have a couple of sweet videos to watch to help motivate you and understand this better.  I also went and looked back and some past blogs...we encourage you to go to the blog archive (right side of the blog), and click on 2019 then August and click on "Got this every single day".  Really cool experience that reminded me of the PROCESS!

Here is a video about the Process that was done explaining about Michael Phelps (one of the Greatest Olympians and swimmers of all time), and how he looked at the upcoming 2016 Olympics for him!

And here is another great video (a little longer, but one of my favorites of all time), that reminds us of WHY we do this...WHAT is my perspective...and HOW BAD DO I WANT IT!

 

"Stand Up!"

There is a disease that is going around.  Not the one you might be thinking of that is constantly in the news or changing our current lifestyle...the disease I am talking about goes much deeper (maybe not physically, but in other aspects).  It's a thought...a choice...a way of life...a perspective...

As we work towards something special, it is not always easy to keep the focus that is required, to get through all the moments!  Every day seems to have it's own CHALLENGES and that is ok...as long as you look at them as CHALLENGES and not some type of dread or "have to's".   What gets you through the Moments?  What keeps you showing up for the early morning run or 2nd run of the day (or even better to ask, what keeps you from NOT going)?  Of course we need to BELIEVE in the purpose of what we are trying to do...to understand our WHY (reread last weeks post!)!  But to truly BELIEVE and overcome the "disease" we need to STAND UP for what we BELIEVE!  We need to show, not just the World or others...BUT OURSELVES!  The disease is being complacent or ok with just doing what you have always done.  I just chatted with Coach Lund (we miss you YOBO!),  and he reminded me of how important it is to look for NEW things that we haven't done!  It helps CHANGE the mind, the thought process from doing just the same thing over and over.  Now, running every day and going after those miles every week, month...all build up to create the Masterpiece, the "Big Picture"!  But even more important is HOW we do those runs, those miles, the routine.  Are we complacent?  Are we being mediocre?  Are we giving the minimum effort?  That is the "disease!"  

So here is what we are going to do about it!  I know that with this weeks "Challenge" we didn't get a chance to pass out any books to those who had earned it, but we will this next week (starting on Wednesday night run...that is when we will be back from our Family reunion).  Don't just get the book and kind of look at it, or read a little here and there.  If you truly want to see and feel a change, then follow the guided questions that we will give to you to go along with the book.  This is to help you do something NEW, to change the mind, the perspective, the thought process and overcome the "disease."

I have also been reading some really cool insights from Champion athletes.  In fact, there are 6 Traits that Most Champions (if not ALL), do.  Something they all have in common that help them defeat the disease and even beyond!  So we will share 1 trait a week (along with stuff to read from the book), to help all of us realize WHY we are doing this, WHY it's important, and HOW to work at it!

Trait 1 of a Champion:  Self Talk

Ask yourself, "How do you talk to YOU?"  Not only what types of words are you saying to yourself but how often and when.  The interesting thing here is most typical kids, don't listen as well as they could, but YOU DEFINITELY LISTEN TO YOURSELF ALL THE TIME!  If you tell yourself that you feel horrible, guess what...YOU LISTEN!  If you feel that something is hard, guess what...YOU LISTEN!   Simply telling yourself certain words, changes how you look at the moment, or situations, or in defeating the "disease!"  When an EVENT happens to you (like a difficult morning, or a tough hill, or feeling sluggish, or it's hot...which are all real things by the way), HOW you respond determines the outcome!  (Event + Response = Outcome).  The truth is, EVENTS don't do anything...life happens!  Sometimes we feel beat up, sometimes we feel slow, sometimes we convince ourselves it's too hard and on and on, but HOW we talk to ourselves about those moments have a huge impact on HOW we RESPOND!  STOP CALLING THINGS HARD!...call it a CHALLENGE instead.  We need to work on an attitude of "So What" that it's a big hill, or "So What" that I am beat up (evaluate why you might be...hydration, eating, sleeping, etc), "So What" that it's a hot day!  TALK TO YOURSELF in a more positive way. It's not a perfect world and there are others factors at times, but keep trying to have better Self Talk.   "I got this hill...I'm getting stronger from this."  "I'm a little tired today, but that's ok, just going to take it easy and let my body dictate the pace...BUT I'M OUT HERE DOING IT!"  "It's a warm one today, but some races could be also, so I'll be prepared for it!"  Don't start out the day telling yourself that it's going to be a rough day, because guess what? That's the type of day you will have.  You don't need to lie to yourself, but CHANGE HOW you talk to yourself.  If the morning feels rough, tell yourself "good thing I have a run coming up so I can be around my friends, or go after my goals, or start off on the right foot for the day." 

BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO STAND UP FOR YOURSELF, FOR OTHERS, AND FOR WHY YOU ARE DOING THIS!  

Aristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do (or say!).  Excellence is a habit, not an act."    Start by Talking to Yourself better!  Trait 1!

The "Dangling Carrot"

What is your WHY?  

It's easier to feel motivated to get through the difficulties of like, running, and most things in general, when we know WHY we are doing it.  

Getting out to run those miles, to build up patiently, to recognize the big picture of what it takes to be your best (EVERY DAY!), really requires to work through some tough patches.  I bring this up, because WE ALL have to learn how to work through the ups and downs of life.  For me personally, all I want to do is run like I normally run...I WANT to put in the miles I love putting in during the summer...I love putting in big runs during the week...but unfortunately, I am finding that my knee is just struggling.  Some days it's just fine (no matter the distance), and other days it just hurts beyond my understanding (I'm going research crazy trying to figure it out...science geek in me!).  But I am recognizing (and learning!), that I am going to have to make adjustments but I can still be my BEST through the process!  I share that with you because if WE don't have a WHY for doing this (especially when it's tough and uncertain...like if we will have a season, etc), then we will falter and back off or feel miserable now, 

especially later when we realize 

WHAT WE COULD HAVE DONE OR BEEN!  

Here is another good way to look at this.  I have to ask myself, "Do I want to get up early to go on a run or be to practice, or run a certain amount of miles...or do I want to sleep for an extra hour, or not show up for the run, or run less (which is fine if it is necessary and not because of a lazy choice)."  In that specific moment of asking that question, it is a no brainer...of course I want to sleep in or do less at that time.  BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT MY WHY, IT CREATES A BIGGER WANT!  A bigger WANT for my/our goals, a bigger WANT to get up because we have created a desire to overcome the human side of us, a bigger WANT to just bike, or swim, or physical therapy (even though I really want to just be running) to give myself a chance to be the person I WANT to be weeks, months, and years down the road (the SUM all adds up over time!).  The Transformation Becomes instead of "I have to get up out of bed to go run," to "I WANT to get up out of bed because I see the big picture!"  We must tie some of our motivation to SOMETHING BIGGER!

The reason for talking about this is because we don't know when the "Green light" will be given to race or feel more normal, but don't we WANT to be fully ready when that "Green light" is given (because it will be given at some point)?  

Here's another great way to look at this...We want to give our future selves the gift of being prepared!  When that gun goes off for that race, as we are standing on that starting line (that starting line can represent a lot of things...races, HARC, challenges, anything!), either we are going to feel a surge of confidence that we have put in the time, effort, investment, for all the work that we did, or feel a sense of panic knowing that we are unprepared for the MOMENT!  

OUR GOAL TODAY, IS TO GIVE "FUTURE US" THE GIFT OF PREPAREDNESS!  

One of the worst feelings in sport and just in life is feeling exposed and knowing we weren't quite prepared like we could have been.  

We understand that all of you are at different levels of where you WANT to be with all of this running.  Some are just discovering the process of our program...some are realizing that they have potential...some are overcoming personal demons (injuries, abilities, mental obstacles)...some have been "around the block" a few times and are reaching for higher goals (reaching for the SUMmit!)...what matters is the WHY we or you are doing this!  That is what will get you through ANY MOMENT in life.  It's like "Dangling that Carrot" in front of you...enticing you, motivating you, encouraging you to go after your WHY!  

Some will call it the Sacrifice required to be Great!  We would like to tell you that sacrifice is probably not the best word to use...rather we should use the word INVESTMENT!  Invest in your future, which requires not necessarily giving up things, but simply doing what it takes to reach your desires (summer miles goal, run varsity, make it to HARC, overcome challenges, work through injuries or setbacks, be patient, etc)...if you are INVESTED, it makes getting up in the morning feel more of an accomplishment instead of a drag!  Give your future self the chance to know you gave it your best!  

TO "SUM" it all up...

when you are on that "starting line" you won't have fear...you will be excited to finally have the chance to go after it!  

What is your WHY?