The STANDARDS

 

 

Sometimes the "STANDARDS" we set for ourselves, for our Team, are very High!  AND IT SHOULD BE!  That is the beauty of what we are about!  It may feel difficult to recognize that RUNNING could have such a huge impact on WHO I CAN BECOME but if you will keep sticking it out, believe in your goals, keep coming (especially if you are new), Trust your Heart that the work you are doing will pay off...THEN YOU WILL LOOK BACK AND SEE THE TRANSFORMATION THAT HAS HAPPENED! (it's already happening)

We share this thought with you because after this last weekends race at Spanish Fork, it may seem like we are little behind of what we envisioned from all this work!  Looking at other Teams, and other runners and kind of comparing ourselves, it feels like we are not quite there.  And truthfully, you are correct...TEMPORARILY!  Only for the moment it is this way...WE ARE TELLING YOU THAT YOU WILL GET BETTER...YOU WILL FIGURE IT OUT...THE TRAINING IS SET UP IN A WAY THAT YOU WILL HAVE SUCCESS WITH TIME!   Of course the other good teams and runners will get better also, but we can't control what they do or don't do...we need to just keep Trusting what WE DO!

I don't share this next thought with you because I am pushing any thing on you...I share it because I have found that with High "STANDARDS" and Expectations, I try to relate it to things that matter a lot to me.  In my Spiritual aspect of life, I have high standards that sometimes seem difficult to manage every single day.  My expectations might seem far fetched or "weird" to others, but in my Heart I know that they make me a better person and so I keep giving and living the BEST I can and Trust that in the end, I have become better!  Well...it's not so different in our RUNNING!  

The "STANDARDS" we set absolutely determine what "HEIGHTS" WE CAN REACH...but it takes Time, a Belief, some Trust, Enjoying the Tough Stuff, tweaking the Attitude and Perspective, taking a Chance on YOU!    It wasn't that we had bad races or that we are not good enough...IT'S THAT YOU DON'T REALIZE THE REAL POWER INSIDE OF YOU YET!  We need to focus on keeping the "STANDARDS" that we have set and then HAVING FUN DOING THEM!  SMILING WHILE IN DISCOMFORT!  HELPING OTHERS EVEN WHEN WE ARE STRUGGLING!  TAKING A CHANCE A LITTLE MORE (especially in races), that we belong and that the work is worth it!

All we need to keep doing is what we are doing, but with a slightly improved mindset...a tweak of better attitude...enjoyment of doing hard stuff...knowing that YOU ARE CAPABLE...LOVE THE PROCESS of becoming better!  Sometimes that process has steps back, but will always lead you to HAPPINESS!  So this week, focus on doing just a little better!  Give just 1% more better attitude, or sleep, or effort, or consistency, or smiling, or hydrating, or keeping your "STANDARDS"!  That is what this Team is all about and you make this Team better!

This Video is one of my FAVORITES!

"I GOT THIS"...My Daily Dose Every Single Day!

 

 

I was at an event awhile ago, but I remember something really cool while I was there.  I witnessed this mom and her little 8 or 9 year old son, following her to their seats.  The boy looked very tired and worn out, and it was obvious why.  He had a bald head and sunken eyes due to a fight with cancer.  He looked so frail and yet so tough, so I couldn't help but watch this little boy as we waited for the event to start.  I noticed he would lean on his mom's arm every so often and pat her leg.  But one time, he simply sat forward and placed his head in his hands as he leaned forward, to rest his head.  I could see mom whisper and her lips asked if he was ok?  I could see the boys lips say that he was just tired. Then mom patted him gently and told him to lay down on her lap, 

and this is the part that just struck me...the little boy simply said, 

"I'm ok mom, I GOT THIS!"  

It made me realize that no matter the situation, the circumstances...we don't always get to choose WHAT we face, but we get to choose HOW we face situations.  That little boy inspired me to WANT to be better, to know that "I GOT THIS!"

I was asked, just recently, "HOW can we become better, Coach?  What do we need to do to really take the next step?"  At first, I wasn't exactly sure how to answer that directly...I mean, there are so many factors that can affect the PROCESS!  But you may already know how we like to respond to most questions, we like to keep things SIMPLE and definitely POSSIBLE!

WE NEED TO DECIDE, THAT IT IS WORTH DOING WHAT IT TAKES! 

Are we truly desirous to TRUST our Coaches, to communicate with our Coaches and each other, EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we reminding ourselves EVERY SINGLE DAY, what our beliefs are about running?...Are we telling ourselves what we will be EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we reading EVERY SINGLE DAY, what our goals are to ourselves so that we KNOW it's worth doing?...Are we training EVERY SINGLE DAY (even on Sunday, rest day!), to be exactly what we believe we are?...Are we taking care of ourselves, EVERY SINGLE DAY, by hydrating, eating, sleeping, thinking, talking, smiling, like the Champion we really want to be?...Are we being POSITIVE with our training EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we being courageous (overcoming doubt and fear with Love and Gratitude), EVERY SINGLE DAY?...Are we simply seeing the good in ourselves and each other, EVERY SINGLE DAY?!  We could go on and on...YOU can fill in whatever is necessary for You and your Team, if you need to, but EVERY SINGLE DAY is a GIFT!  It is a blessing and a privilege to pursue what we are pursuing, so remember...

YOU GOT THIS...We need a "DAILY DOSE" of all the things mentioned above...Every Single Day!

Train your Mind, your Heart, your Capacity to do the little things, EVERY SINGLE DAY...

and you will be amazed at what will happen!

I found this video on Kipchoge about what separates him from others (in case you don't know anything about Kipchoge, he holds the World Record for the Marathon.  I show this video not so you think you need to do what he does, but what does he do differently?  It's not about more, but about doing what he does better.    This may be geared towards the marathon, but can really be valuable in lots of other aspects...ENJOY!

Running is Romantic!

 Rather odd title don't you think?!  

Watch this video first before you read the short thought we have for the week!

How can you NOT feel like all that you are trying to do with your 
Running isn't amazing?

IT IS AMAZING!  I tweaked that video awhile ago, to fit one of our XC themes for a past year.  I don't know why I chose to watch this, this morning, but I couldn't help but feel the need to share this with you! 

When I watch this, it takes me back to all the years that I have been running!  It reminds me of WHY I LOVE DOING THIS!  It teaches me that I have gained so much over the years...

HOW has it done this?

It has taught me...given me...

How to push myself.

How to get up early...and enjoy it!

How to Enjoy the Tough moments...and even want more of them.

How to feel Peace in times of chaos

How to work through the struggles

How to see the GOOD in most things in life!

How to change my ATTITUDE and that my ATTITUDE changes everything else!

How to feel CONNECTED... to myself and to others around me.

How to LOVE where I am at and where I still want to be

How to treat others and truly help others! And in doing so, I get back so much more!

How to INSPIRE and be INSPIRED!

How to recognize that it's the LITTLE THINGS that make a difference.

How to sacrifice things in the moment for things that really matter later.

How to want more, but be happy with where I have come from...

How to BELIEVE even when it seems impossible!

How to SMILE in both the darkest moments and highest peaks!

How to Be EXCITED (truthfully), even when I'm nervous or unsure

How to be CONFIDENT because I CHOOSE to RUN and put in the time!

How to be ok with myself and realize what I am still BECOMING!

How to...(keep filling in the blanks!)

Running has truly TRANSFORMED ME for the Better!  

How is that NOT Romantic?

What Matters...ENJOY THE PROCESS!

 

You're Special!  That's the focus of the video down below (even though it is a hilarious spoof on the reality of being GREAT!...I thought we could use a good laugh while focusing on what really matters!).

But we wanted to just give you a quick reminder of WHAT MATTERS!  Why do all of this?  Why sacrifice?  Why go through the ups and downs, the heat, the cold, the RAIN?!  Because in the end, we realize that we NEEDED to LEARN what we really are about, what we are capable of becoming, what we are meant to be!  And you can't do that by being mediocre, or just getting by...WE NEED TO CHALLENGE OURSELVES, GET OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES, AND HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS (with realistic balance also!).   Can we go overboard? Of course, and that is why we try to use Running as a way to teach all of us how to push, have goals, and still see the good that we are doing!  And this will carry on into other things that really matter...life, home, school, beliefs, work, family, and on and on!  

What really matters is that we keep putting one foot in front of the other, help others along the way, believe there is still more to do, and see the good that you are doing!

Even though this video puts a funny twist of "What really Matters", it also helps to laugh at the things that sometimes over take our life and reminds us to keep pushing but also not be so serious all the time...ENJOY THE PROCESS!

Break Away!

              What holds us back?  We are asking you this question, because we ask it of ourselves a lot!  For everyone of us, it may be a little different answer...but one thing is for certain, we all have things that are "holding us back" from becoming what we want to become!  I remembered a little story I came across, a long time ago, and it seemed to share how we are feeling, and how much we want to help you!

As a man was passing the elephants, he suddenly stopped, confused by the fact that these huge creatures were being held by only a small rope tied to their front leg. No chains, no cages. It was obvious that the elephants could, at anytime, break away from their bonds but for some reason, they did not.
He saw a trainer nearby and asked why these animals just stood there and made no attempt to get away. “Well,” the trainer said, “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”
The man was amazed. These animals could at any time break free from their bonds but because they believed they couldn’t, they were stuck right where they were.
Like the elephants, how many of us go through life hanging onto a belief that we cannot do something, simply because we struggled at it once before?

Struggling and "falling down" are part of learning; we should never give up the struggle in life, for that is how we truly TRANSFORM!

Now, that is not to say that we have struggles because we are conditioned or lazy, or bad, or we have horrible luck...what we want to help you understand is that LIFE will throw at us, everything it has...the good with the bad, the ups and the downs, and it is up to US to DECIDE how WE will REACT to those moments.  And truthfully, our "reactions" are usually an automatic response (like the rope situation), due to previous situations we have encountered!  Maybe, we need to focus a little more on being PROACTIVE since we obviously know that LIFE is going to hand us these Amazing moments!  How do we know that they are Amazing?...because the only way to truly understand Happiness is to have felt down...to feel like you're on top of a mountain, we must have felt the struggles of "climbing" to get there!...to understand why we RUN and work so hard for something that seems unexplainable, requires sacrifice, sweat, sometimes tears, soreness, planning ahead, more sweat, more tears, and then over time, we start to see a change!  The "running" doesn't necessarily get easier, but it becomes more relevant, it becomes doable, it becomes worth it, it becomes even fun at times (heaven forbid!), and before you really know it, a TRANSFORMATION has taken place.
BUT IT REQUIRES TIME, EFFORT, AND SACRIFICE, and when you do that, YOU look back and see that what held you back at times, was not LIFE throwing obstacles left and right (that will always happen), what held us back are how WE CHOOSE to see those obstacles!  

How do you look at the "ROPE" (like with the Elephants), that holds you back?...Look at your own personal situations and DECIDE that maybe if I tweak my perspective, that the so called "rope"no longer will hold me back, but will allow us to reach higher, to truly CHANGE into who you are meant to be!  Look at where you have come in your running and continue to see where it is you want to be and

BREAK AWAY...BREAK that "ROPE" 

and make it happen!  It may be hard to "break through", but the decision to PURSUE this, may be all that YOU need to see it differently!  It is WORTH IT!   Break the "ROPE!" 

The next question is HOW do I Break Away...Break that "Rope"?   Well...there are lots of ways and each person must balance reality with expectations...BUT, ALL THE SOLUTIONS ARE RIGHT THERE...we just need to work at it...and that is what we will do in the upcoming season...HELP YOU KNOW HOW TO BREAK AWAY!  

Here is a video about Billy Mills (last American to win Gold in the 10K at the Olympics).  He has some pretty cool insight on the "HOW"!

What do I See?

 We just want to give a quick reminder that these posts, this blog, IS JUST FOR US!  It is specific for our Team and a lot of thought goes into what matters to each of US and OUR TEAM!  The topics are genuine and based on our needs...please be respectful of what is written by US for US!

What do you see...when you look in the mirror?  What do you see...when you think about your running goals?  What do you see...when you picture yourself at a race?  What do you see...when you evaluate your future?   Lot's to kind of think about and could seem overwhelming!

Our focus for you (not just right now, or just this week), because of this program and team, IS TO ALWAYS SEE THE GOOD THAT YOU ARE DOING!  It is easy to "SEE" or "Feel" or "assume" that we are just who we are and that not much will change.  The mind sometimes just thinks that this is what I do, this is where I am at, this is my spot in life...and so forth!   What we love about Running is that we can help each other recognize that there is sooooooo much more to life than just being a part of something, or that I am just a runner, or just an average student, or mediocre!   IF YOU WILL TRULY TRUST AND HOLD ONTO WHAT WE TRY TO SHARE WITH YOU ABOUT YOURSELF (through Running!), THEN THERE ARE SOOOOO MANY THINGS AHEAD FOR YOU TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

Perspective, seeing the big picture and your potential are great things to help guide you to bigger and better things...but YOU NEED TO SEE THE GOOD IN YOU!  YOU NEED TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS MORE IN YOU!   We all need to work on NOT comparing ourselves to others and focus more on comparing yourself with YOURSELF!   Was your effort better today....was your attitude more positive...did you smile more...are you encouraging others along the way...are you getting out of the comfort zone more or just better...?

The World will often beat us down, make us feel less, assume that you are not good enough or smart enough or tough enough, BUT WHAT MATTERS IS IF YOU SEE THAT!  Look in that mirror differently TODAY!  See something that is worth it!  Make a little Change today that you can do to show all the naysayers that they don't tell you what you can and will do!  There is a quote that I love that just goes along with these thoughts!..."There are clubs you can't belong to.  Neighborhoods you can't live in.  Schools you can't get into.  But the roads are always open!"    Of course, the emphasis is on running here, but we challenge you to take it even further and recognize that the World might assume you are not good enough, but what really matters is that YOU realize that YOU are good enough and that the EFFORT YOU give will make the difference!

We spend the time doing this (all of this) because what WE SEE is something extraordinary in each of YOU and it takes EFFORT, TIME, PASSION, TRUST, SACRIFICE and simply take a chance on YOURSELF to make it happen!  But what really matters is WHAT YOU DO YOU SEE?  Just don't forget...the Roads are always open!

HAPPINESS!

 

This might seem like an odd title for the week but keep reading to find out the significance and the importance of WHY we are working so hard this summer, WHY we are putting in the miles, WHY we are pushing the limits of our bodies and minds.

Start off by asking yourselves "what makes you Happy?"   Now ask yourselves, "what about Running makes you Happy?"    Sometimes it is difficult to see or feel the things that SHOULD make us Happy or feel better.   Running, ideally, should help us relieve stress and feel healthier and better about ourselves.  But we can also see we sometimes feel more stress...is it because of running?   Does running cause stress or do we maybe "add" stress because of HOW we perceive it or how we THINK we should be feeling or doing?   We can achieve HAPPINESS in many ways, but TRUE HAPPINESS is having a balance of the important areas in your life!   Having that balance does require us though, to WORK AT IT AND CHALLENGE OUR CURRENT ABILITIES!  There is no other substitute to better ourselves...we must get out of the comfort zone (in all areas of our life).   

I recently heard a quote that got me thinking about this topic on HAPPINESS.    

"Happiness is NOT the goal.  It is a byproduct of hard work."   

If we truly work hard for something, we definitely can attain feelings of HAPPINESS...but I really started thinking about this... I truthfully believe that 

HAPPINESS IS THE GOAL!  

WHY are we here, WHY are we working hard, WHY are we putting in the time, WHY are we getting out of our comfort zones?  To be HAPPY in some way!   Remember how we have told you that there are NO secret ways to have success or shortcuts to GREATNESS?  It is true!  HAPPINESS requires that we work hard, put in the time, get out of our comfort zone, balance all aspects of our lives (not just running physical, but mental, emotional, and even spiritual), and when we work at this ONE DAY AT A TIME...it starts to add up and next thing you know...YOU ARE BETTER THAN WHEN YOU STARTED!  And that should make us HAPPY!   See the GOOD that you are doing!  Always want to improve, but we must see the GOOD also!

One day at a time, adds UP!

The Path

 

We tend to (as humans), overwhelm ourselves with expectations, things to accomplish for the day/week, over analyze each run or how we might feel after a run or workout.   All these things are pretty typical of what we do throughout the summer (let alone LIFE!).  

So...WE try to spend time helping each other focus on the SIMPLE things and keeping it FUN while still keeping the HIGH GOALS and LOVING what we are doing through running!  

So let's keep this week simple!  Let's see the GREAT things that we are doing!  Let's focus on working through the struggles by TRUSTING, being PERSISTENT, and with a SMILE!  Let's use our book, "Chop Wood, Carry Water" this week to help us remember that the PATH we have chosen to take is the one we LOVE and realize is WORTH IT!

Some thoughts from a few of the first chapters of the book, that you can ask yourself and work on this week!  I will be putting these questions on the strava club page.  It would be nice if you could participate a little by sharing some thoughts when the questions are added throughout the week!

Chapter 1:   What do you think (whether you have read the whole book or not), "Chop wood and Carry water" mean?  What does it represent?

Chapter 2:   What does it mean to "build your own house wisely?"  

Chapter 2:  What is truly significant about today, or any day?  

Chapter 3:  Why does even the smallest of adjustments make a huge difference?

 Chapter 3:  We are often consumed with so many things in our lives!  What things should we focus on (when it comes to running), to help us see the BIG PICTURE?

That should be a good and simple start to be thinking of the LITTLE THINGS THAT WILL HELP US BECOME WHO WE WANT TO BE AND WILL BE!  KIA KAHA!

We have told you before, that GREATNESS is NOT Glamorous...it is repetition, it is blood, sweat, and tears, it is sticking with it, it is getting back up EVERY SINGLE TIME! It is Trusting, it is doing the little things...this is what makes a Champion!  This short video will help remind us of that and hopefully inspire you to keep at it!

The Guarantee!

 

 

Not sure why this thought just wouldn't leave my head as I was thinking about this weeks letter!  Maybe it's because WE WORK SO HARD FOR SOMETHING, it would be nice if there was a guarantee that it would ALL WORK OUT!

That's the interesting thing about guarantee's...can you believe them or trust them?  I've heard this quote before (maybe you have also)..."there are no guarantees in life."   Is that true?  Or is it just a simple line to use to help get a point across, but truthfully I believe there are some guarantees in life...let me explain!

What really keeps me motivated about running (and probably why I love running marathons), is that you GET TO put in the work and then try to show what you have done.  People can't just show up for a marathon (truthfully in any running race!), and expect to do well if they haven't done the work!  I have run quite a few marathons and I can tell you that only a few of them actually turned out the way I thought my training had proven I should race, and got the time and place that I felt I had earned.  That doesn't mean all the other times were a waste or that it wasn't worth it...in fact, those "NOT SO PERFECT" races kept me hungry (not frustrated or disappointed), and believing that I could improve in little areas that would make my next goal or time racing, much better!  You are probably thinking, "Sounds great Coach, but where is the guarantee that all the work is going to pay off...your example doesn't seem to prove that it worked?"   GOOD QUESTION! 😜   The point is that if you want a guarantee, then DON'T DO WHAT IS REQUIRED!  Then you will be guaranteed that you WON'T GET WHAT YOU ARE GOING FOR!  There's your Guarantee!

But if you really want something...if you really want to go after something bigger than you, bigger than you have ever accomplished, THEN YOU HAVE TO TAKE A CHANCE, YOU HAVE TO SACRIFICE, YOU GET TO GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, YOU GET TO PUSH YOURSELF (and hopefully others) TO GO BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF YOUR MIND AND BODY, YOU GET TO FALL DOWN SOMETIMES, YOU GET TO LEARN TO GET BACK UP, YOU GET TO DISCOVER THE HIDDEN THINGS ABOUT YOU, YOU GET TO REALIZE THAT IT'S THE CHOPPING WOOD AND CARRYING WATER THAT MATTERS, and so much more!   After all those marathons and only having a few turn out like I thought they should (performance wise!), I must admit that all the "other" marathons MADE ME WHO I AM TODAY AS A RUNNER!  It's not like all the other races were bad or anything...they just didn't turn out "ideal" necessarily, but they GAVE ME SO MUCH MORE IN RETURN AS LONG AS I KEPT PURSUING THE GOAL, THE DREAM, THE REASON!

So, if you want The Guarantee, then simply don't pursue what matters to you...BUT IF YOU WANT THE CHANCE FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL TO HAPPEN, THEN DO WHAT IT TAKES, SACRIFICE, SHOW UP EVERYDAY, CONVINCE YOURSELF ITS WORTH IT THROUGH YOUR ACTIONS, TELL YOURSELF GOOD THINGS ABOUT YOU, TRUST THE PROCESS, DO THE LITTLE THINGS and IF YOU DO THIS, then you will have become exactly what you wanted and needed to become...WE GUARANTEE IT!  😉

Little short video that always reminds me of what really matters most when it comes to getting out there every day!

What kind of DIFFERENT?

 

As I was contemplating this week about our theme of what it means to Kia Kaha (Stand for Something...to Stand Strong!),  I couldn't help but feel that the most powerful way to Stand Strong, to be Better, is quite honestly, to be Different! But what kind of DIFFERENT?   It takes courage, and something special deep inside to realize that the difficulties in life, the tough moments, the amazing mornings, or fun nights, the chance for a personal best, or being thankful (GRATITUDE), that you just got out to run today...are what separate us from the "normal" day to day things people do everyday!  It may seem at times that the reasons for doing this are quite far-fetched...I mean, just think about it...when someone asks you "why do you run?"  What is your response?  How do you really answer that?!  This is why we are different...it's not an answer that can necessarily be given in words, but rather, EXPERIENCED!  It is something that is FELT!  It is something that MOVES US because something deep inside is telling us that it is worth it...that there is something SPECIAL about what we are doing on this team!  It's not always easy to remember the goals, and the reasons for getting out there every day, in the heat, early in the morning, when you might be out of town, or out of your routine...those are the moments that make you Different...those are the moments that CHANGE YOU...that is how you make lasting MEMORIES!
                        We share these thoughts with you, as a reminder and a challenge, to re-evaluate where you are physically and mentally!  We feel as though we all want something special to happen, and we know that it can, but unless you have been injured or communicated with us about circumstances, WE HAVE MISSED TOO MANY OF YOU LATELY (we understand that you can't be to everything, but if you are at home, why aren't you with us?  And unfortunately, the ones needing to read this won't).  We are only reminding you that there are no excuses (except for certain circumstances...ie injury, etc), to hold you back from achieving your goals...your MILES.  After 5 weeks of summer miles, the HARC considerations require you to be around 180 miles (at the end of this week).  If this is something that matters to you, and you are a little behind...evaluate why...talk to your Coaches about what you can do!  And just getting the miles is not enough to get to HARC also...it takes being at practices...or communicating to us...it takes being able to show us that you are ABLE to handle a HARC run!  We have a lot of amazing kids, giving everything they have and more, and we have some who could do just a little more...either way, the BEST way to "Stand for Something, to Stand Strong, to Do the Little Things" is with each other...seeing the good that you are doing and seeing if there are things that you can do better (I didn't necessarily say MORE, but BETTER!).  Like we said...this is just a reminder of reevaluating yourself and making any adjustments to head in the direction you WANT to be heading!  

We understand that it requires a lot to stay motivated, to work through the mundane moments of getting out there...but a reminder to ALL of US...The Great ones (which we have some of our very OWN on this Team...now and from the past), the Great Teams are doing exactly what we are doing!  They are getting out there every day, putting in the work, the miles!  So our summer miles is not something that will separate us from them...it will be the LITTLE THINGS!  The Attitude, the mental work, the Books we read (come get your book if you have earned it!), the TIME together and more!  Being a RUNNER already makes us DIFFERENT, so What are we doing to be just a little more "different" from other Runners?

You being DIFFERENT as a Runner is a good thing...it is what makes you Special...it is what allows you to Kia Kaha  

                           I love this 2 minute video that I feel describes exactly what we have been feeling this week and hopefully can help us all go after that next step in our process!  Like the video says...hopefully it "MOVES YOU!"

Thinking requires...ACTION!

 

I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to a Great coach this last week (Ed Eyestone from BYU).  He shared some great stories that reminded me of WHY we keep trying to pursue this running thing and HOW to keep going at it!

He started off by sharing his love for kid stories that his mom taught him.  He shared the classic story of the "The Little Blue Engine" (more commonly know today as the Engine that Could...variations throughout the years).   Now, the version he shared was not one that I was truthfully familiar with...(the one I know is about the little engine that believed it could get the train to the top of the mountain even though it was small and all the bigger engines didn't even try.  It's mantra to get to the top was "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!"  And it eventually makes it to the top and over and says "I thought I could").   Come to find out, THAT IS NOT THE ORIGINAL STORY OF THIS CLASSIC TALE!   Here is the story that He shared...

The Little Blue Engine

by Shel Silverstein 

The little blue engine looked up at the hill.
His light was weak, his whistle was shrill.
He was tired and small, and the hill was tall,
And his face blushed red as he softly said,
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”

So he started up with a chug and a strain,
And he puffed and pulled with might and main.
And slowly he climbed, a foot at a time,
And his engine coughed as he whispered soft,
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.”

With a squeak and a creak and a toot and a sigh,
With an extra hope and an extra try,
He would not stop — now he neared the top —
And strong and proud he cried out loud,
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!”

He was almost there, when — CRASH! SMASH! BASH!
He slid down and mashed into engine hash
On the rocks below... which goes to show
If the track is tough and the hill is rough,
THINKING you can just ain’t enough!

The original involves the Little Engine crashing and smashing back down the hill...because...Thinking you can is just not enough!   It's nice to have big goals, big dreams...to help us and inspire us, to motivate us, to get and stay excited about doing hard things...BUT WHAT MATTERS IS THE ACTIONS WE TAKE TO MAKE THOSE GOALS/DREAMS A POSSIBILITY!   Coach Eyestone shared some stories about when he was a HS runner and how he was able to go from a "good" runner to a State Champion!  He of course believed he could do great things and wanted to be the best (beating runners that had never been beaten), but it involved putting in the work like a Champion AND THEN TAKING A CHANCE ON HIMSELF to run with the Best (not just SAY IT...He took Action).  Not to be scared to take that chance to run faster, stay with the fastest kids in the State...and when he finally did that, HE KNEW THAT HE COULD DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN!  Now, not every race went perfect for him in the years to come, but doing the WORK and KNOWING THAT HE BELONGED changed his mindset that led to unbelievable performances in the future (college champion and Olympic runner).   

It doesn't matter if you are the fastest on the Team, first year or 4th year runner, social runner or absolute running beast...WHAT MATTERS IS THAT AS THE "TRACK IS TOUGH AND THE HILL IS ROUGH"...WE REALIZE THAT THE BELIEF MATCHES THE WORK!   Because, in the end, that is what you will remember most and recognize the amazing change that has occurred in YOU!

We KNOW YOU CAN!

Watch this video...it's worth the 4minutes!

The WAY...is Today!

 

Kia Kaha!  To Stand for something, to stand strong, to do the little things!

But what is the point of BELIEVING in that simple meaning of Kia Kaha, IF WE DON'T DO IT CONSISTENTLY EVERY DAY?

We have mentioned many times that there are NO shortcuts to Greatness!  There is simply "The WAY!"  What is "The WAY?"   We are not here to tell you that there is one perfect training plan or you must do exactly what we tell you to do...we want YOU ALL to know that we have worked hard over many years to tweak, adjust, make better, and have PROVEN that "The WAY" we try to do things in this program, simply WORK!  Being together, building consistently over the weeks and months, doing the little things of showing up everyday, or communicating better, inspiring each other and YOURSELF!  

We talk about being CHAMPIONS!  Making it to some of the end of season CHAMPIONSHIP RACES,  but something we realized this week is that being a CHAMPION is more than some end of the season destination!  YOU don't get to decide if YOU are a CHAMPION because YOU can't control what others might do or the weather or other distractors.  YOU can simply focus on being the BEST YOU...giving yourself the best chance to improve by getting out there TODAY and doing what YOU should be doing TODAY!  Take care of TODAY and EVERYTHING ELSE WILL FALL INTO PLACE!  That doesn't guarantee you will "win" but the alternative (by not taking the chance, by not being consistent, by not doing the little things, by not standing strong for something), means you definitely WILL NOT.

So...what is "The WAY"?   Simple...Take care of TODAY!

1 and a half minute video to remind us of the little things to do...TODAY...NOW.

 

The WHY?

 

 

I don't know "why" but the WHY just won't leave my mind!   I guess it is probably because when anyone starts out on a new adventure (even if it seems familiar to you), REALIZING YOUR REASON FOR DOING IT MAKES IT MORE POWERFUL AND MEANINGFUL!   When you truly know WHY you are doing it...IT ISN'T SO HARD TO GO OUT THERE AND DO IT...ESPECIALLY WHEN NO ONE IS MAKING YOU OR TELLING YOU TO DO IT!   Because when it gets tough (and believe us, it will get hard!), your WHY is what will get you through those moments...it will help you remember that your goals and dreams are worth getting out the door for, adjusting your schedule, working around trips, communicating your desires to others (like parents and coaches), sacrificing late nights or media stuff...all because you have taken that first step to recognize your WHY!  It can be for many reasons (mileage goals, streaks, health, HARC, etc), but let it be something that matters to YOU!  If you don't, then these first few weeks will be ok and the excitement of the summer will wear off and you will start to get behind or frustrated and our human nature will get discouraged and next thing you know, you may not be running like you wanted to (WE TALK LIKE WE HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE!  😉)

So, especially as we start this week together (hopefully you read the announcements from the Team Text about me not being here this week), that YOU LOOK OUR FOR EACH OTHER, HELP EACH OTHER, ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER, so that all of your WHY's become strong and unbreakable!

Let's have a great week!  KIA KAHA!  Do the little things!

Lets' Gooooooooo!

 

Even though school just got out, it is wonderful to already be looking forward to doing "the next thing" and not just waiting or wasting time and going after our goals!

This week is mostly about REMINDERS and WELCOMING EVERYONE as we start the process of becoming Great!   Remember, like our Theme for the year is "KIA KAHA" (to Stand for Something by doing the little things), we need to overcome the distractions of the World and simply do the little things!  Don't over do it this first week in your running (especially if you are new).  

• Be Patient
• Be Consistent (don't miss as much as possible...even doing a little is better than cramming on another day)
• Be Positive (How you talk to yourself about what you are doing and how you feel, makes a huge difference)
• Be Believing!  (it is easier said than done, but when you have a purpose, it is so much more fun to get out there and do the running, even when you don't feel like it)

Items for the week:

Memorial day morning:  For those who would like to  (and can), we will be meeting at the Churchwood gate (at the end of Churchwood road in Pine Canyon), at 7am!  The full route to Barney's Peak (out and back) is about 13 miles.  Please do NOT attempt this unless you are ready and have running experience.  You must bring a type of waterpack that you can carry to stay hydrated.  We will NOT be going fast...the purpose is not about speed but about the experience.

Those who are NOT ready to do the full route, can still do any amount that is good for them and meet with us and then leave when they are done.  We would love to have anyone who wants to start together, be there and join us on Monday morning (not required though).

Night Runs:  Lots of kids like to still meet for night runs this week (even though there is NO official Team practices.  You can meet at the Tennis courts (in the neighborhood north of Stansbury Elementary school) at 8:30pm and go for an easy run on the golf course.  We have multiple routes that we change up every night (that are roughly 3 miles), but you can shorten any route.  Also, PLEASE BE AWARE OF ANY GOLFERS WHO MIGHT STILL BE ON THE COURSE...ALWAYS STAY AWAY AND WAIT FOR ALL GOLFERS.  Do NOT run on the Greens (flag area) and Tee boxes (really short grass is off limits).  

We look forward to seeing you on Strava and watching/helping YOU on the beginning of GREAT things to come!  Kia Kaha!