The Swim

Sometimes, the swim can be daunting.

I found myself staring down the pool the other day.  I am striving to swim more frequently.  And yet, the other day the rams was ridiculously hard.  The 25yards seemed miles away.  I struggled to finish the warm-up of 500yards.  And when that was finished, I re-evaluated and got out. It wasn’t worth the drama it was creating.

And it is perfectly OK.  Not every training session needs or should be a battle of wills, and great accomplishment.  Some days it is right to pack it in, and tackle it another day.

And I did just that.  

BHAG — what’s that?

On my Facebook BIZ Page, MSJ Athletics and MSJ 4 Her, I asked the question, WHAT IS YOUR BIG GOAL? 

You know the GOAL that keeps showing up, the one that from time to time seems allusive, the goal that makes the others in the bucket list jealous...... YES, That Goal! 

And a client responds — BHAG! And of course I like the comment before understanding what that means.   And so, I relied on my trusty friend Google to fill me in.  

BHAG stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goal, 

An idea conceptualisée in the book, 

‘Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies.’

By James Collins and Jerry Porras.

According to Collins and Porras, a BHAG is a long-term Goal that changes the very existence of a business’ existence.

And that thought really got the thought wheel turning.   What are my goals for the business?  And do they line up with my goals for my personal, professional and athletic endeavors?   As a party of one, I need all forces headed in the same direction. Otherwise, I feel like a ship divided and many oars headed in different directions.   And if they are not aligned, what needs to change?  

The good news is ALL are congruent.   All are taking me down the path of endurance sports, and coaching, and development.  

The interesting surround my struggles.   

And my struggles surround my get-up-and-go factor.   

I have accomplished some pretty cool things.  Just the fact that I seized the adventure to move to Texas, instead of tucking my tail between my legs and feigning defeat speaks of my spirit.  BUT I TOO STRUGGLE.  I struggle at times to move with the idea, and I find myself mulling over it when it should be acted upon or tossed aside.   And sometimes I struggle to just plain move!!

And I say that as I continue my battle with my self-image, my current weight, and my lack of movement.  And sometimes the desire to do so.

In all honesty, I can be the the biggest couch potato ever.   

And I suffer for it.  When I don’t get up and at least walk every day, I feel it in my joints.   

I want to perform well at runs, because I enjoy these, and yet I am equally content sitting on my butt.  

Something in my head needs to switch on or off, so my get-up-and-go, get me moving again.  

Additionally, it affects my weight.   I have been yo-yo-ing between 20pounds, losing and seemingly gaining it back.  I have done ALL the diets du jour and been successful, but then I crave X, Y, or Z, indulge, AND the success is flushed.  And my effort is wasted.  

Take-away: no diets du jour for me.   

But through all this...... 

I continue to set lofty goals.  And I do pursue them.   

Whether business related, fitness and performance related, these goals are there.  I write them down.   I plan how to conquer.  I know how to execute, but sometimes I am seemingly lost. 

My focus for 2019 has become the follow-through.   Yes, I have some lofty objectives, and some mediocre ones as well, serving as stepping stones to the lofty.   And my directive is to do something every single day to improve upon, to empower me, and to work toward each of these goals.

The first of these is to be more open to sharing with you.  The good, the bad, the ugly.  It’s coming to you.  The purpose to show my human side, and let you see others face the same struggles as you do.   I expect to hear from you regarding your BHAG, and the driving force behind it.  Additionally, if I can help you conquer that, please reach out or visit me at MSJ Athletics    Schedule a chat session.   

 

(Backup) Jack and Jill went up a Hill....... and I skinned my knees.

We all know the rhyme:

    Jack and  Jill went up a Hill, 

     To fetch a pail of water, 

    Jack fell down 

     And broke his crown, 

    And Jill came tumbling after.   

As a child, I honestly thought Jack had a crown like a king wears........ and so, 

I skinned my knees.   I fell down.   I slipped in the mud, tripped on the sidewalk, and fell........reminding myself that I am not 20 anymore.   

And what does Jack have to do with any of this..... well, not much really.........I just like the rhyme.  

How do you handle a fall?  

It’s a journey.......

Monday I reestablished my goals.   I have become embarrassed at the way I look and feel.  And I am supposed to be a motivator of others.  How could that possibly be.  I bend over and my belly greets me.  YUCK! 

Monday, I took these photos of me as a reminder of where I am. 

One might say, not bad.   You are going to be 51, after all.   And if I was content with how I look and feel, I might agree.  

BUT... I want to climb mountains, swim oceans, bike across states and run marathons.  Did I say that?  

And in order to that, I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.   And step outside my comfort zone.  And make it real.

Care to join me on this wonderful adventure? 

Counting Macros.......

As some of you know, I completed my PN Nutrition Coaching Level One.  (GO ME!) 

I did this not necessarily to become a nutrition coach, but to assist the multi-sport athletes I currently train with their eating and preparation for races.  Their Facebook page has a plethora of fitness peeps from all walks of life and levels of comprehension, and it gets interesting to say the least.  But my goals stay true to me and my coaching.   This is a tool in my toolbox.

They have discussed in the text as well as on the page counting Macros for targeting caloric intake goals for weight loss, weight gain, and other relevant habits.  The wise-guy I am, was like..... what’s a macro?  

Simply put — nutrients:   Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats.   Eaten in balance, out bodies function well.   Out of balance, everything becomes skewed. 

My Fitness App has the capability to count macros when entering/recording foods.   It requires a premium subscription of $9.99/month.  So, I thought I would give it a go.  

Honestly, I was not sure how it would go.   

I have gotten pretty good about planning my meals to coordinate with my training.  But measuring, counting, and writing it down, beyond how does it make me feel....... ummmmm, not so much.   I have successfully entered my food NOT ONE SINGLE DAY!   Not One!  

Well, instead of feeling defeated, I found this article which brought a lot of perspective.   And the truth of the matter, I have never been a good candidate for a food journal.   I like the idea of it.  I like making notations on how something made me feel after I ate.   I like it...... but I never actually follow through and do it.  

So, I am continuing my journey to learn more about counting Macros and creating balance —- which starts with protein.   

Perhaps 1gram of protein per kg of lean body mass, or 1gram per kg of body weight, and then determine the balance needed for the activities.    Are we following a 40-40-30, or some other ratio of protein, carbs and fats?   What balance makes you feel good?  What balance aids your performance? What balance will permit the normal fluctuations in your eating?   (In other words, will not go over the cliff, should you eat some ice cream).  

For now, I am going to reevaluate my desire to count Macros.   I eat mostly plants. And am the weird child who will eat a bowl of broccoli for lunch.  So, my Macro tracking has been post-poned at this time.   

Commit Everything to Me......

Dont you love when you start an entry, and then somehow delete a whole paragraph, and then the entire post!  I mean really?   Whine session begin now.......  Seriously, what a morning!  Results of struggling!   I am feeling completely overwhelmed right now, as I am building new facets of the biz, securing current opportunities, expanding, developing programming for the Otters, seeking to build a partnership, and suddenly WHAM!  Fraud on my accounts and I am now the proud, well maybe not proud, owner of overdrawn checking accounts, and fees accruing because of checks returned because of said fraud.   AAAAARGH!   And there is no food or money to feed my boys until pay day.  Feeling thankful for Friday.  But wait, do I have food for today?   Hmmmmm.....   Amd whine session over.     I needed that.  As the tears rolled down my cheek.      The truth is I have a great deal to be thankful for.  My sister for one.  She is one of the most generous people I know.  It amazes me sometimes.   

 

And my boys, Leo, Aeries, Nanuk, Jasper and Sebastian, love her.  She sends them treats.   Recently, we received a box for Easter.   In it was this book.  

It was one of those things —-Cool Book.  Leaf through it when it arrives.  Put book down.  Move onward.   

 

This morning, in the midst of chaos.... see whine session above..... I pick up this book.   I need to spend time with God.  

And the first thing I read is:  

 

 

‘commit everything to me and you’ll be a success’. Proverbs 16:3

Wow!   That is a pretty amazing promise.   Because God, I am drowning right this second... I dont know if I can feed the boys tonight, let alone me. 

 

I want to pull everything together.  I have a pretty cool vision for my team and business.  I would like it to grow.  

 

It is yours because you gave me the vision.   Show me where you want it to grow.  

 

 

 

Rodeo Run

Yesterday, I completed my first 10K of the year.   It wasnt pretty, amd was definitely more walk than run (getting back to racing shape is tough!),  BUT I DID IT!      I have been struggling with training.    Honestly.  It is a struggle.     There.  I put it out there, and now I am seizing the choices I need to make to run my Marathon successfully!      And Now, Lets go do it!!!!!           This run actually taught me alot about myself.  There were several places I could have easily cut the course short (it would have affected no one, but me) but I reminded myself that I am an example, a leader, a coach.   The young ones I work with on the Otters, need role models who don’t cheat.  Leaders who have integrity, regardless of where they finish the race.    And so, I continued happily.   And I learned a great deal!     The race at the Back of the Pack is a much different race than the front.   I met amd cheered on some pretty amazing people.   People chasing down challenges that the front of thr pack could not understand.  Please understand I know the challenges at both ends of the race, now firsthand, and know how hard each works.   I also know it is disheartening to finish after the finish line is cleaned up, when the water and race food is competely gone, and there may not be a medal.  I also know what means to be chasing that gold medal, or to place in the top five or ten, to PR to beat an age group record.    At the BACK, the herd has thinned.  You cannot hide in the crowd (good and bad); you are completely exposed.    I cheered for other runners, applauded their efforts, said words of praise as well as encouragement.     I am glad I struggled yesterday.  I relearned compassion.   As I coach, it is important.   

         These volunteers were making a bridge to run through at a water stop.   Volunteers really do make the race!   They are a source of encouragement and enthousiasm!   Although Houston tapwater is less than desireable, I am thrilled they worked to make this race happen!                    

Rodeo Run is run on part of the Parade Route to usher in Rodeo Houston!   This is a big event here!  These horses were waiting for the Parade!       Thank you Rodeo Run 2018, for a great run!!  I look forward to seeing you next year! 

Every step moves me toward my goals......

 

A friend shared this on his FB wall, and it really hit home today.   I have successfully been a coach potato when I should be training.  No wait, I have not been training to my level of expectations and opted for the ‘object at rest’ part of the program.   

 

It has been a tough two weeks.  Houston was COLD.   Not that I haven’t seen cold before, but it was COLD!   Below freezing temperatures and a non-heated, not insulated apartment contributed to my attempt at staying warm, and not my purposeful training.   

 

And so today, I headed out to tackle three-miles. 

 

This was by far one of the most difficult runs EVER!   Not because 3-miles is tough, but because 3-miles is tough.   Or can be.   My feet hurt, my body hurt, i was hungry, i was thirsty, i was tired.............

And knowing I needed to reteach myself how to be comfotable being uncomfortable I ran.   Slowly.  But I ran.  

I focused on tackling this, one step at a time.   I focused on foot placement and picking up tempo and slowing down, and doing mini-sprints or strides randomly down the street, AND the last half-mile, I purposefully and intently picked up the tempo to challenge my run to the finish.   

 

Because I am chasing down a BQ.   And while the entire run was far from perfect, I was teaching myself to endure, to challenge, to commit and to make it happen.  

 

It is a process.   And tomorrow is another day to learn, amd to train.   All of this will get me to the finish line.  Even with socks!