Eggs Break

Hi all!,

Today is much better than last Wednesday for sure. After 3 plus lonnnng weeks of injury, I chanced a trail run yesterday. I couldn't resist the urge to see, possibly, the last snow of the year on the mountain tops. First run back was 12 miles of cold awesomeness. I have missed trail running. Now, I have my long lost friend back. Today is a good day. At times, you don't know the all encompassing value of something until its gone. We go through each day taking the things that are most important to us for granted. I soaked in every experience of the first run back as if I were peering through a child's eyes. I returned more joyful, thankful, peaceful, and hopeful. Now, to maintain that "hunger" to get back out there. The sunshine today is certainly helping that pull today.

I had a conversation with someone recently about "happiness", and what that means. That made me think about how miserable I was for 3 weeks. Every injury has resulted in the same. Its been a BAD two years actually! Too often, if one thing goes wrong, it can cause a domino effect that can rob you of your "happiness". The truth is, happiness doesn't revolve around one single thing. If we put that much energy into one area of our lives, our balance is out of whack. Running is a bit different. I can bike, lift, or whatever to get my hormones in cohorts again, but other areas of our lives may not work like that. We need to ask ourselves what "thing" in our life, would cause an absolute chaotic downfall if taken away. Recognize that, and adjust quickly! Add new hobbies, explore, look at new adventures with "child like" eyes. All of our eggs in one basket is nerve racking!!

Relationships, toys, or even jobs can fall into this question. A client asked me not long ago what I would do if I couldn't be a personal trainer or manage a health club. "I don't know! This is all I know. I don't have a backup plan." Truth be told, I panicked a bit. I need a backup plan! I made a choice in moving here for my "career" ego to take a huge hit going from the top of the ladder in corporate health club world to a mom and pop shop tennis country club. The two are DRASTICALLY different. I didn't know how the leap of faith would go in the quest for balance. One local trainer told me when I first moved here that this club would push me "beyond the point of insanity." That sounded encouraging. All sorts of new obstacles to overcome. GREAT, a challenge! One of many to come. With the choice of moving to Brevard, I instantly went from years of making a solid income with great insurance and retirement to making less than I made managing health clubs ten years ago, and now with no benefits. Why would someone do that? Wait, it gets better....

At the first of the year, I dropped to the title of P.T. Director cutting the slim income in half again. I sacrificed a lot in an attempt for peace and balance. We've downsized everything to make that happen. But this is totally new territory. I used to put all of my eggs in the basket of being the leader, general manager, or district manager of every health club I've been in. That left no room for balance outside of that basket. I poured my time/energy into the staff and members. Transitioning to a small town tennis club from the "fitness" industry has been riddled with many frustrations and challenges. It hasn't been easy, and the patience required to "follow" in your field of expertise is maddening (most of you know, I'm not a smile and wave type person), but the balanced result is worth it. I spend time with my boys, clean the house, cook, and have even grown "fitness" awareness here in Brevard at the same time. I volunteer when needed. I've coached my boys' basketball teams. I pick them up from school and spend time that can NEVER be recovered playing H.O.R.S.E., throwing ball, and running with our dog.

I will try my best to never take trail running for granted again, but I will also not allow it to determine my mood or outlook on life if I can't. There is more to life than money, and there is more to life than tackling that next trail. Like my career downsize in the pursuit of what life "should" be about, I also need to "downsize" the importance of the things that dictate my mood, productivity, and joy. Those things may simply have too much weight. I still haven't quite figured out the balance thing, but I'm determined to keep moving the pieces of the puzzle around until they fit. OR, are we simply to embrace where we are in a peaceful contentment? I've often heard that if you can't find happiness each day, you have to start with a hard look in the mirror. What you may find inside could be a happiness "robber" such as regret, ungratefulness, selfishness, greed, worldliness, loneliness, on and on. The key is to uncover and DO something about it. Even if its an uncomfortable step into the unknown. One step is for sure. Move. Don't ever be afraid to move in the direction God is pulling you.

Any wise words as a response to this particular email may be appreciated by the group in the form of a blog. I know everyone has an opinion on "happiness". This little email doesn't scratch the surface of my definition of happiness and "joy", but it was already getting a little long...........

Spring Cleaning

Hi all,

Its the first day of Spring!!! Its definitely time for a little Spring cleaning, and its not the garage I'm talking about. Its time to pull out your last list of goals and evaluate where you are in the pursuit. Its time to set some new ones as well. As you stare at your piece of paper, I want you to also jot down all of the things you are going to clean up that is getting in the way of accomplishing those goals.

A lot of us go into Spring wishing we had done a little more during the winter to not make that first bike ride or 5k miserable. It starts to get warm, and we freak out when thinking about putting on that swim suit. This isn't a time for regret. Its time for ACTION. Take your list of things that are keeping you from your goals and literally burn them. As that list turns to ashes, turn and put 100% forward momentum into your goals. With self placed road blocks out of the way, things become a whole lot clearer. Now you can write a precise plan for each goal. Make it very specific. Right down to every minute of every day. Take a great deal of time on this plan, because this is the road map that will take you on a tremendous journey this year. The more vague it is, the easier it will be to miss a turn or two. Missing a turn or two is all it takes to get lost and not reach your destination or potential.

As you visualize your destination and how good its going to feel when you get there, place the road map in a place you will see it every day. Don't lose the map! Turn the radio up and enjoy the ride!

Set the sails

Hi all!,

I'm not going to lie. This morning, I'm not very "happy". I haven't run in 3 weeks due to what I am guessing is a muscle pull or, I dare not say, sports related hernia. Those of you that can relate, know I'm on the edge of snapping or a trip to a mental institution. This is the 3rd injury I've incurred in the past few years! Injuries SUCK! I've voiced many times how your body adapts to what you throw its way very quickly. That goes for both positive and negative stimuli. The chemical and hormonal chaos that ensues when you take away something that produced positive results in body/brain function is something that can wreak havoc on every aspect of your life. It always seems these things happen when you set some lofty goals and at times when things are going right on schedule. Its not just athletic goals either. We all can relate to FINALLY stashing some savings away, and BAM....the washing machine kicks the dust.

Its just a part of life. Road blocks and speed bumps are at every turn. One quote says it well: '"Its not the storm we are weathering, but the set of the sail that determines our success!" We can't see the wind, but we can adjust to the direction it is blowing. Were you in the habit of running each morning before work when it was light out? Then, BAM.... the time changed. You're now faced with darkness and use it as an excuse while complaining your "routine" is now disrupted? Get a freaking headlamp! Embrace the dark adventure!

Athletes are some of the best people I know at overcoming the unforeseen wind. You get kicked in the face at the start of a triathlon and your goggles go "poof". You have a flat tire on the bike portion. You spend a lifetime training for a spot in the Olympics and snap your hamstring on the final 200 meter turn toward the finish. We've all seen the hard to watch triathletes in the Ironman stumbling to the finish so dehydrated they can't stand up. They go from a stumbling run to a fall. From an attempt to walk to a fall. They get up, fall, get up, fall, get up, and fall. They then proceed to crawl on all fours to cross the line. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. The key is to never, ever stop the forward momentum toward the goal ahead. By nature, many of us are impatient, and want the goal now. Some of us cave when things don't go just so. This is a reminder to myself and to you that we need to persevere no matter what. Be patient, keep the goal in site, and keep moving. Even if you have to detour, blast through, or jump over a wreck in front of you. I guess I'll jump on the bike again today. That first trail run with no pain is going to be oh so sweet.