"Monsters"...WHAT MATTERS MOST!

 

As we look back on this last week and at our races (like yesterday), You can do 2 things...

1. You can feel discouraged, beat down, over-heated, because it was a slower race, or it didn't go as well as anticipated and the first week of school was draining...

or

2. Realize that the Process REQUIRES you to overcome the "Monsters" that stand in your way of what you expect!

We have high expectations, I do for myself and for our Team!  So we understand when the "result" doesn't seem to fit the effort or the sacrifice given, it feels like a downer or we ask ourselves "WHY" doesn't it seem to be clicking?  Many of the times in our SEARCH for the answers, we tend to be the reason or the "Creator of the Monsters" in our way.  You can either pick 2 more choices...

1. Assume that your goals are too high and expect to feel this way in the future, and lessen your expectations (which means you're ok with mediocre)

or

2. Keep working for those HIGH EXPECTATIONS!  Find new ways to overcome, defeat, or not even "create the monsters" in the first place. 

Sounds easy enough, right?  It really can be though...simple as learning to count...one number and then another and so on.

It's not over...this race is not the end.  In fact, it's just the beginning!   Of course we want and expect to be competing better, but as a Team, we just aren't there...yet!  But if we keep wanting it, believing in it...little by little at practice and every new race, we will keep getting there!  It's the ONLY WAY to get to the SUMmit!  No shortcuts, or easy way.  We know that you want to overcome the mental "Monsters" that hold you back, that stop you from being at every practice, or even giving your BEST every day, or cause fear on race day (or any day)!  But if you really want to conquer them, then you need to work on it every day!  How?  Good question!  How do you get better at anything?  PRACTICE...Practice defeating the "Monster!"  It truly is a little different for everyone because we all react differently to pressure and anxiety and we never want any of you to feel discouraged about your running!

If we could, we would take all of us and just go on a trip and run somewhere and not worry about racing.  We would take away all your worries, your heartache, your anxiety, your aches and pains, your injuries...your "Monsters"...

...but the truth is, we need all those things in order to understand and feel the Great things in life...in Running!  I'd still take you on that trip because spending time with people like you means more to me than the possible accolades or the PR's or the trophies or even the races.  We love heading up to the hills and just running through the trails and trees and enjoying the scenery and company, or on the roads and witness the changes (the little ones happening every day and even the changes over the years!)...there is nothing quite like just wanting to push myself with the people who love doing the same.  I just want to go for a run with those who realize that running is kind of a cool thing (even though others don't understand it...sometimes we don't either! 😉) I just want to be with my friends, family, my peeps...enjoying the trails, the trees, the hills, the mud, the loops, the parks, the air, the seasons, the canyons, the Peaks, the experience of being a RUNNER!  

The TRUTH...Little do we know, we actually are already doing this!  If you really think about it, the races should be the FUN part of just seeing if there has been an improvement, or a possible breakthrough, maybe a stronger finish, a better start, a new friend even, better understanding (of ANYTHING REALLY!)...while doing all those things listed above!

Our JOY comes from the EXPERIENCES THAT WE HAVE TOGETHER!  I want you to know, that I really do love my job...I enjoy being a Teacher and a Coach...but since this covid has hit us, it really has reminded me of what matters most!  So continue to go after the PR's, the trophies, the places, and the races (even figuring out the "Monsters!")...BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF MISSING OUT ON WHAT MATTERS MOST!  Figure out what your "Monsters" might be...could be your commitment, or your attitude, or your consistency, or your anxiety on race day, or your internal belief, or your love (or non love) for running, or your expectations, or your reason for running, or your lack of understanding the process...there are many little things that can be the reason for our struggles.  But the really important part is to know that it is worth it to US to keep working on it, to keep showing up, to expect better and really believe this, through our actions!  

We love racing and the chance to leave it on the course, but the real JOY comes from ALL THE LITTLE MOMENTS TOGETHER, facing the "Monster(s)", every single day!   THAT IS WHAT MATTERS MOST...THAT IS HOW THE PROCESS WORKS!

Love you Guys!