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!
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