Hi all!

I visited my parents this past weekend. That meant I got to run in my old stomping grounds. I got to hit my favorite 8 and 16 mile loops. On the 16 mile trail loop, I ran into a few old biking/triathlon training friends mountain biking that I haven't seen in years. Training partners aren't like normal friends. I haven't spoken to them in quite a while, but we all knew exactly what each other has been up to. (These kinda friends google race results every weekend) The conversations are always 100% related to training, races, and results. Those friends are friends that you can talk nutrition, interval training, injuries, etc..in a way that you can't talk to other people. We can say "Fartlek" and not crack a grin because we incorporate it into our training each week. We relate and know very well what the other person is speaking and feeling. The conversation was brief (We were in the middle of our workout for goodness sake), but it was enough for another dose of motivation. Training partners are also your competition. I was instantly ready to get back to the triathlon world just to see how I would stack up against them now. Good training partners, like teammates, want to see you succeed. They won't allow you to sabotage yourself with poor nutritional choices, excuses, or training layoffs. The reason is simple; If you're healthy, fit, and focused, you make each other better. Together, you end up making a better you than you could make on your own.

I've typed a few emails related to training partners and surrounding yourself with positive energy GIVERS. It may be time to again evaluate those around you.

Are they supportive of your goals?

Do they speak the same language?

Do they make you stronger physically?

Do they make you stronger mentally?

Do they energize you?

Do they motivate you?

Do they hold you accountable?

Do they consistently push you to levels of fitness that you would not be able to accomplish on your own?

Do they pull up your training logs on the internet and review them more than you do? Hahaha (96 miles last week total Drew? Really? DANG MAN! I gotta step it up!)

Its time for some Fall cleaning. Limit your time with the energy suckers of the world. Be an energy giver and surround yourself with "training" partner type friendships a little more.

Age is a stupid number

Hi all!

I came across an article in the last Running Times that reminded me that it is never too late. Its about a 56 year old that started a running comeback at age 44 after quitting a pack a day smoking habit.

Best times AFTER turning 50:

5k: 16:21

8k: 27:27

10k: 33:30

10m: 55:35

Half Marathon: 1:13:29

Marathon: 2:38:44

HOLY CRAP!

HOW? He trained more than he ever has and did it consistently. He "trained". I've heard and seen countless aged 50 and beyond that have done nothing more over the years than accumulate more and more excuses. They begin comparing themselves with others of their age. Some begin talking and acting like their peers more and more as time goes by. "Act your age" they'll say. Ohhh, but then there are the true standout individuals that act on how young they feel and want to truly be the person they believe they can be. Don't be the person that ages and builds a case against themselves. Don't be your worst enemy. Its all in how you SEE yourself. We lie loudest when we lie to ourselves. You can't consistently perform in a manner that is consistent with the way you SEE yourself.

Determine to multiply your commitment, divide your distractions, subtract your excuses, and add to your faith. The first key victory you must win is over yourself: "Stay out of your own way" (David Blunt)

Hi all!

Last week, I found myself staring at the calendar in my office with all of the zeros. That's how I keep up with my running. I write a number and circle it along with any notes of the route I run. A circle around a zero just doesn't sit well on the eyes, much less so in the pursuit of goals. Feeling far less than fit, I made an attempt to pull out of the Blue Ridge Relay. I shot an email to the team captain:

"I am not too thrilled about being the weak link this year. I haven't trained. My job and family responsibilities have absolutely kicked my ass this summer. If there is a sub out there in better shape than an 18 minute 5k, they can have my spot on the team." I was SERIOUS! I knew my best week of running may have been like 40 miles worth of junk when I would be racing with/against guys running a HUNDRED and forty miles a week!

Response received: "TRENT! MAN UP!"

That is exactly what I needed to hear! At times, its what we all need to hear. Next thing I know, I'm in a van headed to Virginia trying to get my head prepared for what I knew my body was not prepared for. My knees were weak. I was nauseous. My palms were sweaty. I couldn't make eye contact with anyone and barely spoke a word. Out of 150 teams of 1,500 runners a team from Knoxville, TN and ours were the last to leave Grayson State Park in Virginia at 1:30pm. It was already quite intense in the parking lot as I sensed the confidence from the Knoxville team who had just come off a 3rd place finish at the Hood to Coast relay. My first leg of the 210 mile race wasn't until 7pm or so. I was the 9th runner of the 12 on our team. That meant my anxiety continued to build as the drama unfolded between the two teams. By the time it was my turn, we had created a 2 minute lead over the Knoxville team. (VERY close when considering the distance left in this race.) My mind and body was NOT ready. I haven't raced but once this whole year! "Oh crap, here comes runner 8. Time to go!" "Just do it! Just keep pushing! WHY am I doing this!? Ohh the pain! Keep digging! Don't give an inch! Muscle is mere rubber. What I am , I am because of my mind!" 5.5 miles later foaming at the mouth and eyes rolling back in my head, I hand the baton off to runner 10. Anxiety instantly gone! My body may still not be ready for this two more times, but my mind sure is! Bring it on! "I may not be the fastest one out here, and goodness knows its been years since I remotely considered myself a runner, but my mind is ready to force my body to push beyond its current limits."

Within seconds of completing my first leg I was ashamed for having attempted to bail out of this race. Amazing things happen when you just freaking DO IT! I would have missed out on conquering my mind and an unbelievable transforming experience. I would have missed watching some of the country's best runners battle it out and literally pour all of themselves out onto the back roads of Virginia and North Carolina. I witnessed what the human body is capable of and what the human spirit can endure. I was still a weak link, but I was a link. I was still a part of something greater than myself which is always an ingredient to WANT to be better. 20 hours and 45 minutes after starting, we crossed the line as winners of the Blue Ridge Relay for the 2nd year in a row with an average pace of 5m55sec per mile for 210 miles with 27,000 feet of elevation change. We have very few moments in our journey to grab life changing experiences. Even if you're not prepared. Even if you're scared and nervous. Even if you want to crawl in a fetal position and cry for your momma. JUST DO IT! Don't back down. Don't ever back down. Ohhhhhh, its so good to be back! For the first time in 2 years, my mind is ready to train. I know my body will follow. Can't wait for the mind and body to meet at next year's race. "Man Up!" We need to take every opportunity to do just that. Thanks Frankie!

 

Just DO

Hi everyone!

Thinking back to what has typically motivated my Wednesday emails, it has usually revolved around running experiences. Labor Day allowed for a morning run in the forest. I miss my morning runs since schools started back. It was pouring rain! I loved it! It was like a cleansing of the soul. These were my thoughts on Monday.

Running, like no other physical endeavor, has taught me some amazing life lessons. Though, I've never poured my being into the sport to maximize my potential, I can't help but be consumed by it at times. I am truly not the same person if I don't begin my day with a run. Its Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde. I am always struggling with the "want" to sign up for some major races months, and even years down the road. But, I am honest enough to realize that my goals simply won't happen with a full time job, kids, and constant energy suckers or a list of other "excuses". (Only endurance athletes can understand the time/energy drain of a morning 20 miler before heading to work.) I love my job, my family, and my passions. Sometimes the balance gets a bit tricky if you're the type of person that wants to be the best at whatever you do. With too much on your plate, you suck at all of it. At times, I'm okay with "trying" to do the best I can. At times, I am not. The people I respect most in life are the ones that take a stand for those things that matter and simply eliminate the things that don't.  Simplicity narrows the focus quite a bit.  A lot of us could break the chains of things we "think" we're chained to.  I question at times what example I am leading my kids to follow when I make excuses for not pursuing dreams. I certainly encourage them to do so, even if its a different path than the world is taking. Its simply not okay to give up on the things you're passionate about. God planted those passions for a reason and the things that typically get in the way are worldly. Think about it........ Dream robbers are the stress to pay a cell phone bill, cable bill, on and on meaningless crap, as well as a car payment in order to get to work to pay for all the stuff that gets in the way of the things that truly matter. Some things matter. Most do not. I could go on and on with this controversial topic.

As we continue in the "rat race", time keeps on ticking, and the things we once claimed were important are a distant memory and our kids are grown with no other example than to work "hard". Working "hard" is not the problem. Its the busy, non productive, pointless stuff that gives us the illusion we are working "hard." What happened to working smarter and more "productively"? Please understand that I am simply making a point that we, at times, lose sight while trying to keep up with a lifestyle that the majority of America deems "normal". Well, what happened to breaking away from the herd? The black sheep is far more interesting and their stories have far more depth. Their impact and experiences change lives. Its a march of a different beat, a different pace, and an observed scenery.

Its that time to run the Blue Ridge Relay this Friday, and I am again asking myself how/why I am so out of shape. I've asked myself that question FAR too often in the past few years, yet nothing changes. Its been a slow fade. Enough is enough. Its time to make a change. Practicing what I'm preaching, I will attempt to sign up for a race I've wanted to do for a LONG time. Its not that easy though. There is a list of prerequisites, qualifying races, tasks, and approval from a board. Even after all of that, there is a lottery system which means you may not get in anyway after all of the steps. Making the commitment for a goal race in 2014 means making a commitment to the journey to get there! The JOURNEY toward something worthwhile is the meat of life. I will experience more in the journey toward a goal even if the goal is never realized. I may not be perfect, and certainly don't have the pieces of the puzzle of life in order, but I commit to pursue the goal. I commit to "do".