Today was the 13th Annual AFR (Alves Family Reunion), I started back in 2006 after the sudden loss of my Tio Tony to Pancreatic Cancer. Back then my cousins were all starting to get married and it was getting harder and harder to fit everyone on the long picnic tables and dining tables during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, so the families started to host individual holidays for their immediate families and we weren't seeing each other as much. I didn't like this and seeing everyone at the funeral together felt good, so I pitched the idea and personally reached out to every member of the Familia de Alves and found a date that worked for everyone and a location that was not too far outside the bubble of Ludlow.
Now we rotate houses as the cousins all take turns hosting and the above photo was a candid shot with maybe 10 people missing. It's an interesting dynamic I look forward to each year and also have to hit the breaks and make sure Vanessa and Vivi, but more so Vivi are comfortable because the culture is different than what they're both used too.
As you may recall value #2 for me is relationships and it's hard to connect with everyone, in such a short time, but the double kisses and hugs on the way in and way out are often times enough to stay connected, strong and close knit.
Value #1 as you may recall for me is health because without health, every thing else is less important and just feeling normal can actually sound good. We have this in common, both you and I as you obviously make time for and invest in it by training with CYBBC and you, me and our community are all grateful for it.
Tomorrow or Today, depending on when you read this begins a piggybacking add on to your fall training that can help you get more support, programming, coaching, purpose, goals and an event deadline to train for to help you have a best case fall, more fun with training, become faster and peak for year end.
Feedback via text and email has let me know that many people are interested in training with us but can't commit to all 6 face to face workouts because of schedules, so I created an option to sign up for 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 workout. I've already spent about 7 hours on the program & planning and I have 1-2 more tomorrow to finish it. I think you'll enjoy and I know you'll love getting faster.
If you want to train with us, run with us and race with us, go ahead and sign up now and I'll either see you tomorrow @ 8am @ Newton North track or I'll see at another workout.
Your coach,
Mike Alves
