Strong Journey

Meet Joey and his miniature horse friend.  They live at a boys Ranch in Michigan where they are working together to learn how to live a healthy and happy life.  Upon meeting Joey he took me immediately to the stall where, we'll call him Rocky, and his Dad lived.  Knowing that minature horses can have little man's sindrome and display less than pleasant behaviors I asked if they were nice.  Joey looked at me as though there was no other answer and said, "OH yes, and Rocky is mine." There are 30 abused and neglected boys living at this ranch and all have the same access to the animals but Joey knows, without a doubt, that Rocky belongs to him.  The bond that has been formed over the short 2 weeks that Joey has been at the Ranch is obviously special.  Joey and Rocky appear to need each other and have what each one needs to feel wanted and loved. Joey is not coming from a loving home that he will soon return to.  He has, sadly, because of abuse and n...

God is ALWAYS good! Lauren, her husband Chance, and I ran the Spartan Sprint on Saturday as part of the goal we have to complete all 3 distances, sprint , super, and beast.  The sprint and super have now been completed so all we have left is the beast! This course was hilly and had all the familiar obstacles along with plenty of mud!  Something about these events make me feel like a kid.  Running up and down hills, jumping and slidding into mud holes, crawling under barbwire through mud puddles, crossing monkey bars, climbing over walls, pulling and carrying heavy things, etc. all make for an adventure one doesn't get to do every day ;-).  We wanted to take a picture at the finish line in front of the backdrop with Spartan written across the top but there were too many people.  On the other side was a board where participants could write their names, quotes, or messages.  No one was there so we decided it would do.    Lauren te...

Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan. Tom Landry I've had multiple conversations lately about success through perserverance.  It can be so easy to say we want to do something only to stop trying because of this reason or that.   .   There is nothing worse than getting to the time of an event, occasion, etc. completely unprepared or defeated because determination and grit were lacking in fullfilling the plan. Part of goal setting needs to include strategy on not quitting! You have a goal, a start and end date, the resources to succeed,  now you have to figure out how you're going to stick with it! It's never too late to be determined to complete the goal you have set for yourself.  Become a "Goal digger" someone who sees each day as an opportunity to become a better you so that in the end you can honestly say, "I gave it my all and didn't give up!"   ...

"If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done!" Unknown How true is this quote!!!!  We MUST do different things to acheive new goals.  That is exactly what you are doing, something different.  The picture above shows a couple of amazing ladies who are doing something different to accomplish something new.   Lauren, on the left, is pushing towards her first marathon and a trifecta in Spartan racing!  Sandy, in the middle, has completed her first backpacking trip, 35 miles to be exact, with 20 pounds on her back!  She is heading towards the finish line of her first half marathon too.  Not pictured is Lisa who has recently attempted Half Dome in Yosemite and is heading towards her first half marathon. Rhonda, also not pictured, continues to impress as she pushes through workout after workout in the heat of Southern Calif in order to be ready to meet us on October 15th for her first 13.1 miles!!  Na...

Welcome to today! Opportunity awaits, all that's required of you is participation!  Think about yesterday, and the day before that, and the day before that,... You will perhaps be reminded of the successes as well as failures experienced over time.  Now think about today and the fact it is a blank slate waiting to be written on.  You have been given one more day to make things right.  How cool is that!  We don't have to dwell in our failures and mistakes because we have another chance to turn things around!   I've heard more than one of you say that you are struggling with eating right and exercising daily, well...here's your chance!  Use the 24 hours given to you on Monday, then Tuesday, then Wednesday,...to change your habits.  What you write on the slate each day is going to be that of trying or not.  I am constantly telling my students the only way to truly fail is to not try.  When you wake up in the morning determine t...

Yes, Rest is good.  We all know that the lack of rest through sleep can reek havac on our well-being, but did you know that not enough rest, or backing off on intensity, in an exercise program can have a negative affect on progress?  Your body and mind need a break in order to perform at their best.   You have steadily progressed over the past 15 weeks and have shown great success!  I continue to be impressed with your effort and determination to complete all the workouts.  Now it is time to back off!  This next week will look easy, which it's supposed to be.  During this time really focus on sleep, eating well, and giving yourself a break, kind of an exercise vacation ;-). You will be amazed how good you feel, along with being stronger when we amp it back up again next week.   Have a GREAT restful week! Monday / Wednesday: Yoga of your choice.  Either video or find a class.  The point is to relax and stretch. Tuesd...

While working out the other day I, once again, had to remind myself that nothing lasts forever.  I was once told that I can do anything for 2 minutes, which was/is true.  This mindset has been used to convince myself that I can do anything for 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, ...  I call these times "bumps in the road" simple obstacles to go through to get to where I want to go.  I get there stronger because of the perserverance and determination to keep going. Using workout lessons in life is a huge part of the benefits of what you are doing.  When difficulties arise you can remind yourself that nothing lasts forever.  Some things sure seem they have no end, but the truth is they do.  There are hard times that can go on and on while others are brief, compare these to short workouts days and long runs.  You have made it through 7.5 miles and will make it through 13.1 miles.  Proving you can make it through whatever hard times you might ...