When we hear or read or even learn of a GREAT story…what do you think makes it GREAT? I realized that most amazing stories have something in common…THEY OVERCAME SOMETHING! So what is the big deal about that? It’s pretty simple…life is going to give us many ups and downs. And it doesn’t matter if your obstacles are insignificant to the World or if they are life threatening…what matters is that they are real obstacles to you and that YOU ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR! We know that you understand that life is about getting back up when you are knocked down, but we wanted to share a possible other perspective about OVERCOMING the obstacles in our lives. Because, your obstacles probably aren't that people don't believe in you...its that YOU doubt YOU! You could be afraid to take a chance on YOU! You don't recognize the power and ability in YOU!
We talk about sacrificing and giving our all for something GREAT to happen. The “story” doesn’t always turn out perfect (rarely does it), but the chance to fight for something bigger or better ALWAYS RESULTS IN SOME AMAZING CHANGE! What you may not notice is that the World is a very distracting place…it has so many tantalizing things about it, and it is easy to get caught up in what we think is important (including even running), and we miss out on the little things that “CHANGE US!” Now, if our goals involve something amazing in our Running, then we need to find ways to “OVERCOME” the distractions that are holding us back from missing the mark of attaining those goals. It could simply being and having consistency, it could be attitude, it could be belief, it could be example, it could be comfort zone…obviously, there are many things we could work on. But instead of dreading or pointing fingers (even at ourselves), let’s once again just keep it simple and work on OVERCOMING the obstacles that we can control and can influence! Believe it or not…YOUR STORY IS JUST AS GREAT AS ANY OUT THERE! And any Great story involves what?…OVERCOMING! So, “get back up”…reevaluate, refocus, change, decide, and then DO! Because, that is what you can control!
Our story is still being written…what will it say?
Trust seems easy enough to understand, and probably it feels like we do Trust, but maybe the word Trust...it is over used and we don't really realize the huge impact that TRUST can have on us and for us!
We need to improve on TRUSTING the Process! Never have we said or promised that pursuing Greatness would be easy. When we set goals, YOU do a pretty good job of making them BIG (and we love that)...what we tend to struggle with is that deep down, YOU don't truly believe that YOU are capable of achieving it! There is an easy response to that mindset...SO WHAT! Of course, it's good to recognize reality with our Dreams, but do you TRUST the Process to do what is asked of YOU? Do you TRUST your Coaches to guide you there...do YOUTRUST yourself to communicate with your Coaches or Teammates and want to sacrifice a few things to at least take that chance on YOURSELF?
We have finally seen that last little while, that the Team is starting to come together a little more...that YOU are beginning to see the CHANGE that is or can happen due to the WORK that you are putting in! WE NEED TO KEEP WORKING ON TWEAKING OUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE "OLD VERSION" OF OURSELVES AND WORK ON WHO WE WANT TO BECOME! Take a chance on YOU...on EACH OTHER...sacrifice just a little bit more (which doesn't mean you need to run more, but maybe give up other things that distract YOU from becoming the BEST YOU!). Do YOUTRUST the inner voice in YOURSELF...do YOU put yourself down or unsure of what YOU can really do? We all need to do better at "LISTENING" to the right things and telling ourselves the right things to BECOME our BEST US!
There is no better way to do all this than to TRUST! Trust the Process...TRUSTt each other...TRUST your Coaches...TRUST the communication...TRUST the Love (for running, for life, for Parents/family, for trials, for Moments)! We know it is not easy to deal with all that life throws at YOU...and what you want or need out of running is different for everyone...but we can promise YOU that all we want for you is to see the good in YOU...recognize the improvements (not just in running)...Know that the works pays off (some of you can't believe how much you can do and what it has done for you so far)...Remember that the "Hard" is what makes all of this GREAT! But YOU gotta TRUST it along the way! What version of yourself are you TRUSTING (the old you or the one YOU are pursuing)?
How many times have we asked ourselves, "what is the difference?" The difference between being good and great...the difference between a champion and the rest of the pack...the difference from a big goal vs a Dream...what is the difference for us? Sure, there are many "safe" answers we could give, and maybe it is very specific for every single person, but as this thought stood out to me this week, I felt very confident in this simple answer!
THE DIFFERENCE IS BEING DIFFERENT!
Different thinking...seeing the possibilities vs the obstacles. Different attitude...believing that the work is worth it (no matter what level you are at!). Different understanding...realizing that being mediocre or "getting by" is NOT the way to go! For example...many have a desire to go to HARC (and we are not here to punish anyone...WE WOULD TAKE EVERYONE WHO EARNED IT!), but for some reason, we try to just "get by" or do the minimum AND YOU ARE BETTER THAN THAT! A Different type of Love...we must LOVE the lack of comfort that comes with improving ourselves! It's not easy to get past this, but once we do, we crazily want more because we want to be better! It doesn't mean you have to be the fastest or varsity or always get a PR, but it is a pursuit that DRIVES us to seek out the discomfort because it feels so good after! The Difference is simple...BE DIFFERENT!
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, this week, I have felt a little down because I personally feel like I am not reaching kids like I used to and helping them WANT to dream bigger. We have already started looking at HARC miles and I was feeling down because we have less people than most years, even close to the required miles. We won't back down from the standards, but it doesn't mean that things can't change or that you can talk to us about what you want to accomplish. So hopefully this letter can help all of you, but especially some of us who may be feeling down or unsure of the "WHY!"
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 weekend 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 knee). 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! I am trying to push myself more and more each week to see what I can do because of my knee and I have been feeling quite tired on some of the runs (like a lot of us)...in fact, some of the runs I could barely muster out 8-8:30 mile pace for half of the run, so I was really unsure of what I could do on this race.
Let me share a little something with you right now that I haven't said out loud to many people. I am running the St. George marathon in October. Long story short, I signed up or I would lose my entry from 2 years ago (covid). Even though I am so happy and thankful to be running again, I don't want to just run to run...I still need purpose and a challenge and I love practicing what we preach because either it is true or it isn't. I have set a goal of trying to qualify for Boston at the St. George marathon. Not because I plan on going to Boston again, but because I honestly never thought I could run again. And now that I am, I want to keep challenging myself and see what I can do (even though I know it will never be the same for me, and I'm ok with that), I still need to SIVAKO...Rise to the Challenge! Honestly, qualifying is not a real possibility for me right now. Running that pace is very much beyond my ability today, BUT I AM OK WITH TAKING THE CHANCE TO HAVE SOMETHING GREAT HAPPEN...EVEN IF I "FALL FLAT ON MY FACE" trying to do it.
Enough of that story...This is where the Underestimating 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 7:30-7:40 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 wasn't worried about place, I wanted to be smart, have fun, be grateful to run this but still push myself. We came by the 1st mile and my watch said 6:40 mile pace!!!! Aaaahhh! I was a little shocked, I was going a little faster than planned and also, 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 pushing but maybe back off a bit!). To make a longer story short, I averaged a 6:59 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 in 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!" ESTIMATE YOURSELVES MORE! Take a chance on yourself a little more. Run to that "EDGE" a little more and if you're not sure when or if you should do that, TALK TO YOUR COACHES! That is why we are here...to help you!
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!
July 10 - July 16 Summer Miles
Week 7
Get your miles updated on the BLOG NOW!
Weather: It’s another HOT one this week (100’s all week)! PLEASE, PLEASE, take
good care of yourselves...HYDRATE! We know that running is NOT the only thing
that you do so it is important that you do all that you can to take care of you!
We also know that many of us are feeling tired, or sore, etc. We want to remind
you that this is ok! YOU are working hard, and running a lot of miles and
balancing that with all the other things of life...but don’t be discouraged if you are
feeling tired or beat up...you honestly should feel this way (tired, not
discouraged!). The Best of the Best all go through this and feel this way...there is
NO other way to be the Best! If you are HURT, then that is different and I should
know about it and talk to me about how you are doing and what we will do to keep
moving forward. Hang in there...see the “Little Things” (read last week’s post
again)!
Just want to remind you that there is NO SUBSTITUTE for doing the work and
sacrifice required! The workouts are set up (from YEARS and YEARS of fine
tuning and figuring out over the years), to maximize your fitness and get you
ready for what really matters. Missing too much will hinder your progress, but
some is better than none! Our challenge to you is to try and look at the big
picture and recognize that TODAY matters (READ THE BOOK YOU WERE
GIVEN!).
THIS IS A MUST FOR ALL OF YOU!!!!!!
Get on registermyathlete.com and you must get registered for the XC
2022 season!
I have a WHOPPING 9 boys and 4 girls registered!
This must be done in order to compete this year (and for HARC). YOU MUST also
get a physical done (this must be done every summer for the new school year).
Everyone needs to get on there this week and register. Those who may go to
HARC...CAN ONLY GO IF THIS IS DONE, so don’t put it off! Start talking to mom
and dad (or do it yourself), and get REGISTERED. And get those physical
appointments made (if you haven’t done it yet)! I will be checking daily to see
who is getting it done! You can turn in physicals to me when you have them.
Registering is a must...physicals, you still have time before it is critical.
Just a heads up, I will be out of town Wednesday through Saturday (due to
TREK). Please follow the workout (on the blog), and be there for each
other! I will tell you again...it shouldn’t matter if I am there, or if any of
your coaches are there or not...this is your TEAM and YOU should want and
expect the BEST from one another.
A reminder that HARC is very specific on what is expected! We feel like a broken
record sometimes, reminding you what is necessary if you really want to go.
THERE ARE VERY FEW EXCEPTIONS if you don’t have your miles. This is NOT
about punishing anyone of you, but helping you realize that most great things in
life, require overcoming “obstacles”. And if the obstacles are too much, then
COMMUNICATE WITH US! There is nothing wrong with falling short IF you will
reach out and talk to us…explain to us…make a plan to earn it still! But you must
talk to us (ASAP by the way!).
This program is soooo much more than just about running and winning! We
share with you how to do that, but the BEST experiences are hidden in the doing
and sacrificing for those big goals!
Monday: AM: Meet @ the LDS Church (by the Grist mill at 7:30am). Cow Country
routes today!
1. Cow Country Adventure 6.33
2. Foothill Elbow turn 4.7
3. Railroad tracks Crossing 3.5
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Tuesday: AM Girls Choice (3-6 miles) come early if you want to get extra miles
before. Strength workout AFTER the run!
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Wednesday: AM: Meet at the HS and do the August/Clayton/Gravel pit Adventure.
Get there a little early to do a 2 lap warmup.
2 pushes on the run (1 up Bates hill...droubay to August), and 2nd push on gravel
pit road to village light) @ 5K pace effort.
Performance push (2 laps at our performance run effort: 1:20 sec 400 boys and
1:35 sec 400 girls).
Short route is to run to Droubay and back (take gravel pit road and push on the
gravel pit road to village light. = 4 miles (with Performance push on the Track)
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Thursday: AM: Boys choice (3-6 miles) at HS.
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Friday: AM: CANYON RUN! Meet @ HS at 7am (or just meet up there).
NEED HELP WITH DRIVERS (Parents are welcome to come and enjoy a run and
help drive, if possible).
We really want everyone who wants to come, to be able to do it. Please be willing
to help. PLAN AHEAD KIDDOS AND SET UP RIDES!
We have 2 Canyon Runs left, after this week.!
Mile warmup
3 mile loop
4.2 mile loop
2 mile cooldown
PM: You can meet up if you would like for an easy night run. Run VIVO!
Saturday: CAP run 7am at the HS:
The BBC loop. Head up the BBC section and then go North along the bench road.
There are several cutoffs that you can take, depending on the mileage you want
(the first turn off along the bench road will give you 7.5 to 8 miles from the school
and back down).
You can shorten any of the route to fit your needs. (to droubay and back is 3
miles. To the railroad tracks and back is 4 miles. You can add horseshoe and/or
gravel pit or Swag loop, to any of the route to add what you need).
We know we have talked plenty about "The Little Things" and how important they are to being successful!
BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IS DOING THE LITTLE THINGS THE BEST YOU CAN!
Do you do them just because? Do you do them because you have been told? Do you do them because it sounds good? The real power comes from TRUSTING in doing the right thing...EVERY DAY! The day you let up, or back off, might just be the day that the difference could happen! So don't take the chance to not give your best every day! Take care of yourselves, get good rest, eat better, hydrate, positive self talk, set high goals, believe in those goals, read your book, put your miles on strava, stretch, encourage others...and on! Sometimes it feels like the same thing over and over (and maybe it is sometimes), but the repetition is what allows the changes you want to happen...to actually happen! You just won't see it or know exactly until you do the Little Things!
This has been one of my favorites and "go to" videos that remind me of why and how to do this!
July 3 - July 9 Summer Miles
Week 6
GET YOUR MILES UPDATED ON THE BLOG (click the top
link on the Links section)! HARC considerations are already
being looked at!!!!!! We always look at the MILES first when
seeing who could come to HARC, SO GET YOUR MILES
UPDATED TODAY!
If you want to go to HARC, then you need to remember it is
EARNED! Not only do you need to run the required miles,
YOU NEED TO SHOW US YOU CAN DO THE FULL ROUTES
AND HANDLE RUNNING TOUGH, MOUNTAIN RUNS!
Putting your runs on strava might seem dumb or time
consuming, but if HARC matters to you, then you might want
to do what your Coaches ask of you!
Keep using the WAVE PATTERN to guide you with your summer running!
Keep being well HYDRATED! It is going to be a VERY HOT week! High 90’s and
into 100’s all week, but if you are doing the little things, you will be “PREPARED”
to do anything that comes your way! HYDRATE KIDDOS!
THIS IS A MUST FOR ALL OF YOU... STARTING THIS WEEK!!!!!!
Get on registermyathlete.com and you must get registered for the XC
2022 season! This must be done in order to compete this year (and for HARC).
YOU MUST also get a physical done (this must be done every summer for the new
school year). Everyone needs to get on there this week and register. Those who
may go to HARC...CAN ONLY GO IF THIS IS DONE, so don’t put it off! Start
talking to mom and dad (or do it yourself), and get REGISTERED. And get those
physical appointments made (if you haven’t done it yet)! I will be checking
daily to see who is getting it done! You can turn in physicals to me when you
have them. Registering is a must...physicals, you still have time before it is
critical.
Every summer we have a week that we are supposed to NOT be with you (moratorium). But I have learned that being on this team is already an option (being at summer
practice does not affect you being on this team), SO IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE AT
ANY OF THESE PLACES THAT I AM AT, THEN I GUESS “I WILL SEE YOU”!
Get your miles updated on the BLOG NOW!
Monday: AM: Some may be running a race, but if you are around, you can come join us.
Meet @ the LDS Church (by the Grist mill at 7:30am). Cow Country routes today!
We just need to be careful about possible fences that were put up for the sheep.
Just be careful along the railroad tracks (this is where the fence is usually put up,
but eventually gets knocked down).
1. Cow Country Adventure 6.33
2. Foothill Elbow turn 4.7
3. Railroad tracks Crossing 3.5
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Tuesday: AM Girls Choice (3-6 miles) come early if you want to get an extra mile or so before.
Followed by strength workout.
I will not be here for this practice. Please help each other out and be there for
each other!
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Wednesday: AM: 20 min warmup run. 4 X 2 min race pace pushes (3 min
recovery pace in between).
Easy pace remaining mileage. Route determined at practice.
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Thursday: AM: Foot Strength at 7:30am
Boys choice (3-6 miles) at HS.
Throwdown Thursday @ Pickleball courts at Porter way Park (12 noon).
PM: Night run @ Tennis Courts 8:30.
Friday: AM: CANYON RUN! Meet @ HS at 7am (or just meet up there). NEED
HELP WITH DRIVERS (Parents are welcome to come and enjoy a run and help
drive, if possible). We really want everyone who wants to come, to be able to do it.
Please be willing to help.
Mile warmup
3 mile loop
4.2 mile loop
1-2 mile cooldown
PM: You can meet up if you would like for an easy night run. Run VIVO!
Saturday: CAP Run @ 7am. Meet at the "S" Cell tower/Oquirrh Wave/Silo towers
