Photos, Video added

Monday, February 25
I finally had my photos developed, so check previous posts for added photos. As you can see from the photos, you are great subjects, but I am not much of a photographer :) It's just for fun.

If you want free copies of the photos, simply email me at livelongandstrong@comcast.net to let me know which ones, and I will send, no strings attached. Or even easier, go to http://affiliate.kickapps.com/16429/livelongandstrong, where you can see and copy at no cost any photo you want. This is to give us training team members an opportunity to share our experiences and it's impacts. Enjoy!


The idea for the email address above, which I created this morning, came from Part 12. This training experience has been, and continues to be, a powerful influence on my thinking. More than likely we are all thinking differently now than when be began...or else we would have quit by now.


Living long and strong is now more at the core of our decision-making.

Training Day 5 w/ Video

Saturday, February 23
It was about 35 degrees and cloudy this morning. Hmmm, maybe this would qualify us as "hardcore." I thought today was a 3-miler, until the coaches pulled us together for calesthenics and stretching. Coach Danny started us out by saying something like, "Anybody can get out of bed and walk 3 miles, so today we push it; we walk 4 miles." OUCH! This man is nuts! But then again, aren't most people doing great things considered nuts?

Our coaches are amazing. All along the route the come past us, then stop and cheer us on as we catch up. Then they dash off again, and cheer others along the line. They have a special "parent-of-a-2-year old" energy. :) Remember back (you parents) when you had toddlers? Remember how we would run ahead and encourage them to catch up? And as they just about caught us, we would run ahead a little more, but not so far as to discourage them. Then we would embrace them. It's kind of like our coaches are doting, encouraging, caring parents, substituting high fives for hugs. To them, being there is far more than a fun morning out, or an obligation. There is a deeper meaning, for them and for us. We are to follow their lead and encourage each other, to be there for each other. Am I discovering yet another mile marker along my journey? In one of my first posts I was wondering if our coaches "had a life." They do, and they want US to have one also, a long and strong one. One in which we take on new challenges, and live assertively, energetically...motivated.

My goal this morning was to finish our walk within an hour. About half way through I modified my goal to not falling down. It seems like a blur now. Near the end I noticed that while I looked down I was OK, and when I looked into the distance things were a little blurry (weird-never done that before). Kind of like life, huh? Uh, oh, here I go. While we plan and work hard, the future is a little blurry, no guarantees in life. But we keep going on faith; faith that we will become stronger and that good comes from pain. And as we keep going, believing in ourselves, the future becomes clearer.

I remember, around mile 3, a guy behind me saying that after so many years of being a "pancake" he couldn't believe he was out on a Saturday morning walking 4 miles. Pancake--a painfully accurate description of me. I thought yes, I have been a couch potato. And then it hit me, I shouted to a nearby coach, "We are turning spuds into studs...and stud muffins!" We, all 100+ of us, are different now than we were at 9:00 a.m. We are stronger. We are becoming what we have wanted for years to be.

I also remember, as I came past McDonalds, seeing a line of cars at the drive-through, backed up around the building and into the street. I bet they weren't there to purchase carrot juice, but maybe to purchase about 500+ calories and 70% of their daily intake of fat...and that's just ONE biscuit. There seemed to be something ironic, they and us sharing the same street, briefly intermingling as we strode past. Our focuses so different, as are the inevitable, inescapable outcomes of our decisions.

I was for years in those same fast food lines, so I can't be critical, only thankful that I'm in a different line now; a line of people becoming more engaged with life, exercising more, being more outgoing, smiling more, and being more encouraging and encouraged. Imagine a world with 30,000 more engaged people striving for something beyond mediocrity.

Long and strong! We can do this!

Goals

Thursday, February 21
When I first started training the only goal I had was to survive. Today, for the second time, I set a goal related to training for the 10k. My first goal was last week when I took on walking up 10 flights of stairs at work. Excited by the fact that I can actually make it up 10 flights of steps (this training thing must be working), I decided to kick it up a notch in the gym and set another goal. My pace when I started training was about a 20 minute mile. Tonight I decided to go on the treadmill (still not the real world) for 2 miles in 30 minutes. The exciting part was that I HIT IT, and with 27 seconds left (smile). Every day we train we are different than before!

I have a strong feeling that from this point on I will continue to actually apply measures to my training. Who knows, maybe some day I will be the "after" and no longer the "before." Now, lets wait and see how the ol' knees feel tomorrow. Tomorrow's goal may be to get out of bed.

Real World

Wednesday, February 20
This morning at work I once again (for the third time) walked up the stairs--10 floors--stopping only once to catch my breath (on the 5th floor). AND after arriving at the my destination, my legs felt like lead for only an hour or so instead of all day. It feels good to get a little closer to actually working out. Not that I am doing all that I could or should, but “baby steps” in the right direction. Only thing is that all of my working out is indoors. I should be getting out in the real world for some of my walking. I do vary the treadmill some, by adjusting the slant and speed as I work out.

Coach Danny's comment about another 10k participant who said that running in the rain was the most hardcore thing she'd ever done. That hit home--I need to get a lot more "hardcore."

In Between

Thursday, February 14
I avoid walking the stairs like the plague. Steps and my knees don't get along, so last Friday at lunch, when my son Jeremy mentioned using steps as a training aid, I shrugged. Funny how this training thing motivates you...yesterday at work I did indeed use the steps. Working on the 10th floor I planned to walk up 5, if I could make it that far, and use the elevator for the rest. Upon reaching the 5th floor, I discovered that the stairwell exits were locked (post-9/11. It's a different world in which we live). So, it was either continue or turn around.

Our training coaches have, in only 3 weeks, helped me grow to the point where I don't plan on turning around, so I pushed on. Upon reaching the 10th floor, my legs had once again returned to the solid state of "lead." I don't think I've ever been so happy to reach my work station.

While it wasn't easy, I walked up 10 flights of steps. Two months ago that wouldn't have happened...for two reasons: lack of endurance and lack of motivation to develop the endurance. My knees weren't giving away, a benefit that I hadn't anticipated. I figured that some of my pain was irreversible, old age. Could it be that these 3-mile walks and in-between cross-training and 2.5-mile walks are paying off?

I am more convinced now that 6.2 miles is within the scope of possibility.

Time to go to work. Maybe between now and April, I will be able to walk the steps without stopping every few minutes to gasp.

Reflecting

Sunday, February 10
You and I can be millionaires. An impossible dream, nothing more than a wish? Why couldn't we make it true? A month ago, I wouldn't even have considered walking 3 miles, let alone believe that I could do it in about an hour. But then, we all have capabilities in our lives today that at some point in the past we didn't imagine having. So, what's the connection between walking the 10k and making a million bucks? Success, and the "laws" that make it possible.

Mile markers are emerging as I continue along my 10k training adventure. The first mile marker, in an analogical way, was getting permission to participate...my own permission. There comes a reckoning point at which, to pursue success, we must overcome our fear and forego doubt. Decide to do something not just minimally worthwhile, but audaciously worthwhile. Then after committing to the decision, everything else is just details--as Coach Danny indicated in this week's newsletter, put aside excuses and simply go for walks. How complicated is that? Life really is simple (but maybe not easy).

The next mile marker, so to speak, was to rise above my fears. I had to base my decision not on what I was, but on what I can be. The door to actually becoming what you can be is now open.

Yet another mile marker, or insight, is that at some point in time someone has to roll up their shirtsleeves and get to work. The time is here to walk the talk. With doubt and fear put in place, belief has room to proliferate. Our coaches' real challenge--getting us to believe in ourselves. The walking will happen when belief opens the door. A month ago I wouldn't have thought about walking 3 miles non-stop (although I was hoping my shoe would come untied so I would have an excuse to stop, at least for a minute).

And the last mile marker that I can see now is that "stumbles" do not define your faith. It's the getting back up that counts.

In Part 1 (January 9) I asked the question, "Don't they (people who regularly train for and participate in these events) have a life?" Now I am beginning to realize that not only do they have a life, they have an adventurous life, full of confidence and passion. That's the kind of life we were all created to have. I'm convinced that I have more emotional mile markers to discover. Our coaches are probably excited about the day that I do. Some things we just have to learn for ourselves.

A million bucks (a dream fulfilled) is only a commitment away. Down with mediocrity! Get excited about lessons yet to learn! Now, let's get to work.

Training Day 3

Saturday, February 9
Again I am up before the alarm, anxious, nervous about venturing into 3-mile land. It's cold and I have on my 4 layers of garments, none of which are cotton. They warned us about cotton.

In last week's post I commented that my legs felt like lead. Well, if there is a substance heavier than lead, my legs feel like that from this morning's 3-miler, a venture into uncharted territory. And I experienced a strange phenomenon. Water magically appeared on my skin. Since returning home I have been drinking water and juice. Hopefully that will help reduce the tendency for my calf muscle to cramp.

I am convinced that those running shoes were worth every penny. While I will more than likely be stiff and maybe sore tomorrow, I am not experiencing the aching shins.

I just noticed...if Starbucks was over there, what were doing over here? smile

Another phenomenon I experienced today was that during the 3-mile walk, even though I was tiring (I think the giveaway was my tormented muscles crying out), it actually didn't feel that hard...at the time. Walking with a group, exchanging brief comments with my fellow walkers as they breezed past me, and avoiding getting run over by cars helps distract from the pain, that is until after you finish.

A month ago I was hoping that I wouldn't finish last. Now, I am not looking to see who is behind or ahead, who I pass or who passes me. It's not about being better than "them," it's about being better tomorrow than I am today. Yes, every one of us will be different after every training session, both group and individual. Fewer excuses, more enthusiasm. It's OK to be the last one across the finish line. At least we will cross it. For some of us, maybe for the first time...but hopefully not for the last. Thanks to our coaches, we are beginning to think like winners instead of weiners.

Looks like it will be a week from tomorrow (Sunday) that I add my photos to this and next week's blogs.

Training Day 2

Saturday, February 2
I'm back from my second training session with Coach Danny and the other volunteer coaches. To get the group's attention one amazingly motivating coach gives a hoot that would be the envy of any respectable hog farmer. After calesthenics with healthy doses of motivation injected, we were off for 2 miles. But, once again, it isn't the physical challenge of walking 2 miles that sticks with me. It's the fact that everyone there wants ME to succeed.

That just isn't normal. Think about it. If you are tops at work, you would probably not want to encourage your co-workers, because you want to stay tops. If you are tops at school, why encourage your fellow students if you want to stay tops. Competition makes it tougher to hold your rank. But this isn't about rank, it's about comaderie and colleagiality. It's about competing only with yourself.

The 2-mile session was tough. My legs were feeling like lead at around mile 1. Somewhere around 1.5 miles, I asked a coach along the way about my stride. Being a newbie at this I was wondering if there are times you modify your stride. He walked along with me for about 2-3 minutes explaining that on uphill and even downhill grades I should slightly shorten my stride to prevent overexertion on my legs, particularly my hamstring muscles.

Two things impress me about this incident. First, I was impressed with the depth of his explanation. How awesome is it to have such expertise just waiting to help me, actually hoping that we ask questions, probably wondering why we don't ask more. He took that much time to walk along with me to help me understand. He was all about ME. And, second, I was impressed that he could walk a long distance and talk at the same time. It was all I could do to hear him over the noise of my own huffing and puffing :D

In fact, all of the coaches were pulling for each and every one of us. It truly is all about US. 10k training is kind of like the Marines. Leave no one behind. Everyone finishes. You will not finish last, because someone will be there step-by-step to encourage you, to urge you on, to get in your face if need be, to cross the finish line with you. We will not fail.

If this sounds too dramatic, don't point the finger at me. This is not me talking. It's the coaches. After the 2-mile walk today I am wondering what I have gotten myself into. Coaches, you have your work cut out for you! I know, I know, keep my focus...after all, there will be bagels.

Training Day 1

Saturday, January 26
I was up before the alarm, strapped on my new running shoes and was soon officially "in training" for the 10k as I completed the first YMCA training team outing. There were about 75 people gathered from all walks (no pun intended) of life. And there were even men. The coach led...are you ready for this...calesthenics. That's right, side straddle hops, toe touches, and such. Doesn't THAT take you back to high school gym class? He then assigned us to small groups and off we went to walk our mile.

Aside from the physical aspects of it all, there is a camraderie, a spirit, that hope bestows. There are no negative words, no discouragement, no put-down, no hoping that others will fail so you will win. There were no devil guys sitting on anyone's shoulders, only angel guys. And then there's the "head" angel guy, head cheerleader, head supporter, Coach Danny (below).

There is serious fun happening here. People are enjoying coming together to emotionally and spiritually lift each other up. The veteran participants and coaches continually say things like "You have it in you!" and "Be proud of your self for being out here!" and high-fiving everyone. You can hardly look at another participant without being given a thumbs-up. There is an immediate common bond. It feels amazing, and it's contagious. I believe that if I took only one step and stopped, everyone else would begin to exhort me to not give up. As Coach Danny says, if you take only one step, you are one step closer to the goal! And when Coach Danny talks, everyone listens.

I wonder what work would be like if everyone there were that encouraging to everyone else. I wonder what society would be like if more families were like that.

Next week: 2 miles.

Sunday, January 27
Early This morning I felt the onset of illness. I had that scratchiness in my throat that precedes soreness, clogging nasal passages and rumblings in my stomach that reminded me of ocean waves rolling into the beach. While I did make it to church, I have now planted myself on the couch and slept on and off the rest of the day. And so evaporates my first week of training. Usually I would welcome an excuse to vegetate, but not today. After tasting the coaches' encouragement and energy, I was actually looking forward to becoming "different." After all, isn't becoming different why each and every one of us are in this?