Perspective - My Definitions

I capped off practice on Sunday with a few words that I hoped would reach everyone in some positive and hopefully thought provoking way. I wanted to recap for those of you who were not there.


First, I am super excited every time I look at the group and see how we are developing and reaching new levels.


With masters nationals coming up here just weeks away, open water right around the corner as well as triathlon season, it will be time to put ourselves on the starting line and go. Go time! That's what I like to say.


My main goal is to have you at the starting line feeling like you have an opportunity to unleash your effort and go for a personal best performance.
Hitting the starting line balanced in thought, putting all your desires, expectations, jitters and anything else aside for that special time of getting in your PUSH Zone.


The PUSH Zone is where you don't evaluate yourself or your performance. It is were you focus 100 % of your energy on letting your body do on a subconscious level what you have thoughtfully and deliberately trained it to do.


Being in the PUSH Zone (I may have to copyright that term!) is beautiful to feel and for me to observe as your coach.


We will continue to explore this concept...

Now here is a list of vocabulary words for you. These are my definitions - your choice to buy into it or not. Darn right I hope you choose to buy in!


Pain vs Feedback
Pain - this is what we feel from an injury - you don't push through it.
Feedback - this is the sensation you feel when you are pushing your limits - characterized by burning muscles and lungs - greet it, look forward to it because no great performance comes without it!


Choice vs Sacrifice
Choice - We choose to pursue athletic goals - no one makes us do it. From a weekend warrior to a highly paid pro athlete, it is our choice to put ourselves through any athletic event. When you really think about it, achieving our goal or getting a multimillion dollar contract benefits only you.
Sacrifice - This is what firefighters do when they go into a burning building to save someone knowing full well they may not come out. The same for other rescue type workers or those who intend to help someone else.


Normal - Coming into frequent contact with a variety of people of all ages, my observation is that the normal is a tendency to avoid more than mild physical exertion. In this sense, when I see you day after day at the pool, on the track, on the road or in the gym pushing it, you are outside the norm. In my eyes you are the folks that I want to be with.