Feel the JOY!

 

  

As we look back over the summer, we will probably notice some very good things and also recognize some things we could have done better.  It's just natural to have those things happen.  Most of the time, we tend to only see the "Not so good" things and get caught up in "what we didn't do" or feel less because of an injury or back off our intensity because we had "life" get in the way of our goals (there will always be obstacles/distractions...almost every day!).   Even though we might get a little behind on our path or get suckered punch by an injury or life, ARE YOU NOTICING THE THINGS YOU HAVE OVERCOME?  Are you amazed by the dedication you have given to make things better than before?  Are you working on "RADIATING" Joy and excitement for the GOOD THINGS you have done?  I am pretty confident that most of us could do a little better at Radiating Joy!

As we continue to improve and work through the daily grind of running, keep working on the little things that will help get you over the obstacles!  We obviously have unfinished business/work to do!  I know that many of you "talk" about big things, and are really trying to go after those big things...but those big things really require some important sacrifices that have been kind of "hit and miss" throughout the summer (as a Team).  But instead of worrying about what we missed...WE STILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO KEEP WORKING ON THEM!  We still can reset the mind and body to keep working towards the Dream (especially if you feel that you are still missing something...from time, from injuries, from obstacles, from distractions, from anything at all!).    

When we talk about being Confident, usually it comes from within and radiates from us!  Some just have that ability, but most of us feel less or not enough and honestly, it is understandable.  But the real question is not whether we are confident as much as others, BUT ARE WE WORKING ON IT?   Confidence can also be worked on from the Outside in!   When we try to act more confident by simple, little acts that we can do, it can help convince the rest of the body (especially the mind), that you really can do it!  Standing as tall as you can before a run...reminding yourself the good mantra's or thoughts you have about running before you head out on a run...thoughts of "Bring it on" instead of doubts because you are tired.   OUR THOUGHTS FOLLOW OUR POSTURE!  If you really FEEL THE JOY that comes from working through the hard stuff, you are definitely one step closer to Good Things.  If you are struggling with the JOY at times...just keep working on it!  There is nothing wrong with you...just like the rest of us, we all need to keep working on it!  Stand a little taller...Smile a little more...Be a Pirate (if you read the book pages 90-99, you will understand that a little better!).  

It doesn't matter how close we are to the season, or how much time is left, or how many obstacles there seems to be...START TODAY TO KEEP DOING THE LITTLE THINGS JUST A LITTLE BETTER!  

RADIATE JOY MORE OFTEN...especially while Running!

The REWARD!

 

  

As we look forward to the upcoming season...it is easy to forget the real purpose of this all!  As a Team, we have some big goals...CHAMPIONSHIP TYPE GOALS!  But in the end, it comes down to something very simple for me (and it should for you also)!  

THE REWARD IS GOING FOR SOMETHING YOU DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD DO...BEING ABLE TO LOOK BACK OR WALK AWAY FROM IT ALL AND KNOW THAT YOU GAVE YOUR BEST!

I know that most of us are trying to "Dream Big" and aim high for Championship type aspirations.  But I have seen time and time again, what it really takes to be at that level, and as a Team, we are not quite there yet.  Many individuals have sacrificed here and there to achieve some pretty tough goals and I have HEARD MANY OF YOU TALK ABOUT THESE THINGS, but we have NOT come together to do it collectively.  Meaning, we seem to miss out on some workouts here and there...we accidentally get overwhelmed by the Distractions of the World (could be work, could be sleep, could be anything honestly!).   Either we truly believe, TOGETHER in our Goals and then ACT LIKE IT, or it's all talk, and that is not what this program is about!  

I love being my BEST...I love winning...I love pushing you guys to bigger things than you thought possible...I love taking the chance to Dream Big...

BUT IT IS UP TO YOU (Individually and especially as a TEAM!).  

I can say that our Team will be competitive and very good, based off our summer so far.  But to be a Championship Team will require a little more sacrifice, re-dedication, Belief that it can be done (BIF WIT), and CONTINUE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!  

I will never stop being amazed by all of you!  You have amazing stories from where you started and where you are now (and where you want to go)!  But you need to know that the STORY GOES ON!  Ask yourself if you really are doing the little things (last weeks blog), and keep working on it!  That is the beauty of this all...One "Finish Line" is only the next "Starting Line!"

I saw this video and felt it was exactly how I felt and what we all needed to hear (it's a new one)!  Take the time to watch the 4 minute video and enjoy!  Then go write your goal on the weekly goal link!

Little Things lead to BIG Things!

 

It's not easy!  We can probably say that about anything and everything we try to do.  It's not easy being a runner, a teenager, a student, an employee, a sibling...and on and on.  The point being is that sometimes it can be and absolutely feels overwhelming with all the things ("distractions"), of life coming over us.  Balancing it all can feel impossible sometimes...getting in all your miles to get to HARC or make your goals...running faster on the canyon run...believing that you are capable of so much more (even though the "results" don't always show it).  We bring this up because LIFE is not going to stop for us...it is not going to feel sorry for you or back off!  So why should we (as runners, teenagers, students, kids, etc) do the same?   

Instead of feeling overwhelmed with the burdens of our goals or expectations, we plead with you (again and always), to KEEP IT SIMPLE!  Work on just simple, little things that will get you through TODAY, or just this week!  You already know what you are ultimately working towards (Championships, mile goals, faster, make a difference, HARC)...SO WHAT ARE YOU DOING TODAY; THIS WEEK, TO MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION?   What are your "Little Goals" for this week that will help you look forward to something?  Do you have something to work on throughout the week that will help you?   Do you really believe that it's worth the effort to go after that PR (in the canyon run or weekly miles, or SHOWING IT MATTERS TO YOU TO GET TO HARC)?  You must understand that not every day will be ideal, which is honestly a beautiful thing (yep...tough days matter!).  Because the beauty behind it is that you get to look forward to the next day and focus on the "Little Things" that you are aiming for, for this week!  

The book talks about this (starting on page 68).  Read (or re-read) starting on pg. 68 and find something little this week that you will work on EVERYDAY!    

AND THE REAL CHALLENGE IS NOT TO BE SCARED TO SHARE IT!  

I guess we will find out who really reads the blog...I have added a LINK above the Team mileage chart.  It is titled "My little goal for the week".  Please share (overcome that fear of possibly failing or holding yourself accountable or going for a little higher than before), and put your goal for the week!   We are not here to make you (never have we made you do anything)...we just want you to realize WHAT WE SEE IN ALL OF YOU!  (doesn't matter if you are a current Team member or Grad...SHARE IT)   These are steps to help each of us (individually and as a Team), keep working on the things that will really matter in the end!  So when we look back on our EXPERIENCES, we can remember and know that we really did something amazing!  You will also see the things you overcame.  At least try it...what is the worst thing that could happen by sharing your goal with each other...you might actually get it and have fun in the process!  Pick something for YOU!

Remember...BIF WIT is about 

Believing, Belonging, Bonding, Balance, Becoming

Improve, Imagine, Include, Inspire

Faith, Forte (strong), Fearless, Fight, Family

Work It Together, Want It Together, Worth It Together!

The LIST could go on and on...and so will WE!

I BELONG!

 

There are multiple thoughts that have gone through my head this week as I have reflected on some of my past and current experiences!

It is our EXPERIENCES that truly allow us to BECOME who we are!   Some experiences seem hard...others appear unfair...more just feel "typical" and ordinary daily things...and others are unforgettable (for good and tough reasons)...but ALL OF THEM are a part of us.  Now...HOW we choose to handle any type of EXPERIENCE is on us!  WHAT we get from our EXPERIENCES is dependent upon the type of character we truly are...whether it's a great moment or a tough and confusing moment or simply a typical, mundane moment...WHO WE ARE WILL ALLOW US to either absorb the difficulties and keep moving forward (even though we don't understand why, quite yet), and also to realize that no matter what is going on, or what we are doing, that we really do BELONG!

What I love about Running, is not all about running!  In fact, most things that I love about Running has to do with the "Moments" I learn to work through or deal with, on a daily basis!  I am human and still struggle with things, but in the end, I recognize that I am tough enough to deal with anything that might come my way (whether it be during a tough run/race or whatever life might throw my way)!

The 4th of July weekend is great for many reasons...one of the things I love about it is being with my Family!  My parents are leaving on Monday to serve a mission and so all the siblings and grandkids where in town for the weekend.  We celebrated the 4th in typical fashion with some of us running races (which was a little hard for me since it was the first time I couldn't really participate like I would like to...physically, but still was one of those previous "moments" that has changed me!), and having our traditional breakfast at the park, and later having a barbecue and games, and then some fun fireworks together (mostly watching the little ones literally have a "sparkle" and be amazed at the lights in the sky)!  Being together allowed some great times to remember all the "little things" that have changed us forever!  Things that almost seemed forgotten or weren't a big deal in the moment or even ones that you never wanted to remember, but still have allowed us to BECOME the Best version of ourselves.   And as we spent time together talking about stuff (ok, mostly laughing at each other about all the crazy stuff that has happened...and is still happening), you just realize that YOU BELONG to something that means more than any pain, discomfort, heartache, disappointment, frustration, that could ever occur in life, because they all combine to make you into something BETTER!

This Team also allows us to have and feel similar "Moments" about what really matters most!  In the book we are reading, on page 56, the quote really reminded me of why we do the "daily mundane things" and the early mornings, and the typical night runs and the Canyon runs, the pushes, the core and stretching...they sometimes seem like NOT A BIG DEAL.  But the truth is, they all add up to the many EXPERIENCES that make us who we are!   So ask yourself, are you doing (or at least recognizing), the little things to BELONG?  We want you to know that you absolutely BELONG, but how much you belong and how much you get out of this EXPERIENCE, is truly up to you!