I am not sure how you feel about 2009, but I found it to be like that of a vicious roller coaster ride. From the economic ups and downs to the monumental political changes that took place, we truly have been forced to absorb a lot of new information. With that being said, the new year of 2010 has officially started and this means we all can take advantage of creating more change for the better with the fresh start of the new year.
How should one go about creating the desired change?
I always start with these simple suggestions:
Start small, be realistic, focus on reachable objectives and those that will bring you improvement and a better sense of well being. All too often people try to do too much, too fast and in doing so only set themselves up to fail. Be it the new freshman athlete in his or her first day of practice who desires to earn their top place on the team, or the man or woman who desires to lose a few pounds. Each must put in place a plan, have a positive mindset and find themselves surrounded by support systems. Without these three things, the odds of them accomplishing their goals are not favorable.
So what is it that you desire to change this year? Interested in completing your first 10k run, triathlon, century bike ride or even a marathon? These are all admirable goals that come with huge rewards. However, each of these must have in place those things I mentioned above.
Let’s start with the time factor. One must set aside time each day for training and then must adhere to the schedule they put in place. If one has never done this before, I highly suggest they either join a club, group or supporting cast who can guide them along the way so that sessions are not missed and emotional support is provided.
Also, one must be sure to use the proper training gear. I highly recommend that it is attained through the services of a professional. Be it the socks, shoes, shorts and eye-wear for running or the swim cap, goggles and trunks needed for swimming; it is essential to have the best gear for you. Your best “deals” may be found online, but the these deals are not truly deals if they set you up for failure be it that they are suited for someone else. I think you get the picture…
If you are choosing to take part in an event for the first time, please spend some time conducting research. Find other people who have participated in the event and ask them about the ups and downs of partaking in the event. In doing so, be sure to choose an activity you truly enjoy and that you believe will bring you personal fulfillment. I know of many people who take part in race events that they actually are not all that interested in. For example, if you hate to swim, there is no need to get involved in triathlons. However, if you find yourself enjoying riding endless hours on the bike or pounding pavement with your feet running the Dallon may be an option best suited for you. If you hate running on the pavement but really enjoy running off roads on trails or even through the rough terrain of the forest seek events that provide this type of terrain. I believe that too often people sign up for more popular events without considering what will be the best option for them.
If in 2009 you suffered many injuries and setbacks, this is a great time to acknowledge your short-comings. Traumatic injury or chronic injury both require attention. What I mean by this is if you have a muscular, joint, cardiovascular or other issue, you need to put a plan in place to attack your shortcomings or weaknesses. If a person fails to not only realize the issue but furthermore avoids dealing with them they are certain to do more harm. Often I see runners, cyclists, swimmers, tennis players, golfers and contact sport athletes attempting to battle through endless amounts of pain with the hope of finding enjoyment while training or competing. Simply put, if the issue is not given attention it will only become worse. Our bodies will whisper at first, then will talk, turn that talk into a yell and will finally scream to a point where one becomes immobile. Listening and staying in tune with one’s body is a must when it comes to training. This is a fact both for the weekend warrior and the professional athlete. No one can listen to your body better than you… so do it and when you hear a whisper, find a solution.
Speaking of solutions, if you are a fitness minded person and participate in races, events and/or competitions be sure to train in seasons. Divide the year up into pre-season, in-season, post season and off season. Each one of these will have a different focus and will vary in duration based upon your schedule. The main point is that repetition is avoided and each season is focused on a different purpose. Your training programs, coaches, guides or mentors should discuss this with you on a regular basis. Just like that of the new years resolution you have put in place, a plan must be followed with your purpose and mission in mind.
I wish you a strong start to the new year of 2010. If you have not taken the time to think over what you desire to change this year, please do so. Find a new challenge and prepare yourself for the road ahead. Be it climbing a mountain, ball room dancing, returning to the ice to play hockey or running your first 5k remember this fact; we only have one life, one body and it is your choice to live the fit life!
Sending you my best!
Coach T