Whats next?

Hi all!,

You all know Tyler and I ran the Art Loeb last Saturday. You also know I wasn't overly excited. I anticipated pain, exhaustion, and ridiculous soreness for the days that would follow. Like every long run, I learned several valuable lessons.

• Most of the time in life, what we worry about, fear, and anticipate do not happen.
• Things are rarely ever as painful as we anticipate them to be.
• The "journey" is amazing.
• It doesn't matter where the destination is or how long it takes to get there as long as you keep moving forward and are genuinely thankful for each step.
• If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you.
• Your mindset is everything.
• Gummi Bears are amazing!

These are just a few lessons of a Saturday long run. Sometimes it takes jumping into something you perceive as epic in order to break down the barriers that hold you back from experiencing greater adventures. If you are not having those clarifying moments, you may not be challenging your mind/body nearly enough. If you only do the things that you "feel" you could do, then I promise you are not going to reach another level. Every once in a while, we need to take a huge bite out of something that scares the absolute shit out of us. So.... whats next? Foot Hills trail November 16 and 17 sounds about mind boggling enough. I'm in! So.......What is next for YOU?

Hi all,

At times, I wonder why we do what we do. Sometimes, I brush off the question with not much thought, and do it anyway. Often times, regretting the decision later. So, why do I continue on with the same thought processes (or lack of thought process)? I've found, if I think too much about a challenge, I have a tendency to think about all of the reasons I should not do something vs thinking about all the reasons that I should. Some of the most memorable and priceless moments in my life have come from experiences I would not remotely jump into if I would have applied any sort of "logic". I've responded so often to ridiculous proposals, I anticipate my immediate response. "Sure! Lets do it!"

Last week I was asked, "Hey, do you want to run the entire Art Loeb (33 miles of 9,000 feet vertical!) next Saturday?" Without much thought, my answer was "Sure, I'll commit to that." WHAT?! Absolutely no "logic" or thought went into my answer. "Most" people would plan something like that wellll in advance with tons of specific training leading up to the day of misery. Truth be told though, I would probably never do much of anything if I waited until I was "ready". You just have to "DO" and have the mentality that the "doing" is getting you a little more prepared for the next ridiculous challenge. "Doing" in this case, with no prep, will leave me crippled for the next few months. But, not "doing" may lead to a good chance I miss an incredible opportunity and experience at an absolutely gorgeous time of the year. Bring it on! I'm sure I'll learn/experience something new. I'll take the learning, growth, pain, emotional ups and downs over stagnant, stale, same ole same ole any day.

As a trainer, I try to encourage people to tackle new challenges all of the time. I don't care if its a 5k, a hike, a bike ride, or a full marathon. More often than not, I hear, "I'm not ready for that" Stop over thinking, and just DO it. Life is FAR too short. Take a hold of every single opportunity you can and never let go of the willingness to embrace new and different experiences. Do NOT let yourself say, "I'll do it next year" You and I both know that won't happen. Carpe Diem. We don't have that many to seize in our lifetimes. The time is NOW!

Hi all!

I went on a run with Tyler yesterday on trail for the first time in a while. Tyler and I are teaming up do a race this Sunday, so I was determined to take it easy. (If there is such a thing as an "easy" trail run up a mountain.) I did something unheard of. I stopped at the top of John's Rock to take in the scenery. Living among the beauty that we are surrounded by here in the mountains, we too often take it for granted. We simply get too "busy" to breathe. I've found that if you're too busy for a run, for quality family time, or for God, you're simply too busy. I've said this more times than I can count over the years, but fail to actually make changes that will result in a balanced life. Why? Why do we have such a hard time getting rid of the junk in our lives and saying "no"? Two of the greatest gifts we are given are time and energy. We can't afford to waste those, but we do. Two of the main reasons: 1) Fear of rejection (whose approval are you seeking? Does it really matter?) 2) Fear of missing out on good opportunities. (Opportunity should not equal obligation. There are millions of opportunities. There will always be more opportunities than there is time to pursue them.)

In my devotion yesterday, I came across a quote from Jim Collins, the author of Good to Great. "Most of us lead busy but undisciplined lives. We have ever expanding 'to do' lists, trying to build momentum by doing, doing, doing. But, it rarely works. Those who built the good to great companies made as much use of 'stop doing' lists, as 'to do' lists. They displayed a remarkable discipline to unplug from all sorts of extraneous junk and channel their resources into only one or a few areas."

Great leaders, in spite of a multitude of distractions know how to keep things focused.

Today is the day. Lets get focused!