Hi Friend!
Happy dry day to you! Woo, was yesterday a wet one. We braved the elements for less than an hour to support a friend of Vanessa's. Talk about character building for those runners. Most every, outdoor event enthusiast, mentally trains for all weather conditions, but you usually get better case rather than worse case, elements. What a way to build up your mental toughness. Kudos to the runners. As Yoda would say, "Bad a**, those people are!" Wow!
Patriots Day! You probably know not all states celebrate Patriots Day with MA, ME, CT (started 2018) and WI as the only one's. FL observes it, but it's not a holiday. You probably also know that it happens to fall on the 3rd Monday of April, which also happens to be public school, spring vacation week. What began as Paul Revere and William Dawes alerting the MA colony that the British were coming, is now more commonly associated with the Boston Marathon and for me, it's also the day I proposed to Vanessa and went to see Josh at Joseph Gann jewelers so she could make her ring, Sweet Home Alabama style.
Three things that stand out to me are the preparation, bonding and inspiration drawn from a planned physical activity.
Most everyone who participates in the event whether as runners, workers, volunteers or supporters, has to prepare in some way.
Most everyone who participates in the event, will bond with the other people in the event. Mostly with those in your immediate surroundings, but sometimes in larger ways, like the tragic event that led to Boston Strong. Vivi heard her first cow bell, got a wet butt and felt the experience of supporting people pursuing an achievement.
Most everyone draws inspiration from the event. It's hard not to. Even if running is not for you, you can appreciate and admire the sacrifice, discipline, practice, planning and follow through it takes to run and finish a marathon. Especially if you witnessed runners pursuing their goal despite great challenges.
How can you not want to do something to better your health after that? How can you not want to think and/or say to yourself, if they can see it through to the end, despite great challenges of headwinds, pouring rain, freezing temperatures in their face and on their body, how can I not tolerate, push through and overcome the discomforts in the way of my goals?
So thank you Paul, William and all involved with the Boston Marathon and Patriots Day holiday for the lessons you've taught us.
Squirrel Hunting Day This is random, but at the wedding in Dallas, the Cajun guests, raved about Squirrel hunting, and how schools actually close down, so the men and the boys and some females, can prepare for the opening of Squirrel Hunting Season. I couldn't believe it, and learning that they didn't have Patriots Day or Columbus Day, I had to look it up and sure enough, it's a thing. I haven't figured out whether it coincides with Cotton Picking Day, but it appears to be a local municipality decision whether to have school or not. If you don't hunt, it looks like you go shopping, so either way, there's some preparation, bonding and inspiration that happens.
And with both Patriots Day and Squirrel Hunting Day, their can be planned activity. A lot of doing. And in some cases lots of physical activity and possibly cardio minutes too.
This week, how can you use the inspiration of the runners pursuing their goals despite lots of discomfort to pursue your goals?
How can you plan for, prepare for and get your workouts done?
How can you bond with those around you during the whole planning, preparing and doing process?
Answer and achieve those questions and you'll inspire and better yourself and possibly others, while making memories with those around you.
Passing on the squirrels,
Coach Mike
p.s. if you need help with your training, reverse planning your goals or overcoming challenges (plateaus, stuck, problem areas, recurring discomforts...), reply and let me know.
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