Maintaining Your Goals

The fall season is officially upon those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest; and while we have been blessed with a beautiful fall season the sun does take longer to great us in the morning and says good night much much earlier.  For myself this means my motivation begins to follow the suns lifestyle and begins to diminish along with the amount of light we receive through out the day. Following right along with the motivation goes my goals and sometimes even my belief that I can accomplish them.

This morning while preparing myself for the work day and accomplishing my usual social media viewing I came across a quote by Jordan Belfort the author of The Wolf of Wall Street that struck a cord deep within me:

"The only thing standing between you and your goal is the bullshit story you keep telling yourself as to why you can't achieve it"

It is easy to make up an excuse as to why you cannot do something; much easier than actually doing it.  We've all been there.  We have all said "oh its too dark to go for that run", or "going back to school is too expensive I can't do it" with the key note excuses of "I just don't have the time", "that costs to much money", or "I am just not good enough to do that". What many of us forget is that these are just hurdles or as Jordan Belfort calls it "a bullshit story" that can very easily be over come if you are willing to take the chance.

Goals do take work.  They take time, effort, money, strength, and sometimes even tears to accomplish but that is the point of a goal.  It is a marker or a dream to something bigger and better.  Goals are important as they keep you focuses and dedicated.  Yet it can be easy to loose sight of those goals.  When you do feel yourself loosing the sight or always having a story as to why not, remember that you are the only person that can affect change.  You are in the drivers seat and it is up to you to move past those stories and find the belief in yourself to accomplish your dreams.  

This morning Jordan Belfort reminded me to continuing pursuing my goals and for me that means not giving up on setting them.  For myself to always strive for something new and to continue believing in myself that I can accomplish what I have set out to do.  To believe in the strength that resides within; through that belief you will find a way to continue pushing forward and realize that those stories are not as exciting as the ones you obtain from accomplishing your goals.

My goal for this month is to complete my first marathon and push towards qualifying for Boston. 

What are some goals you have set for yourself? Do you have a dream for someday? 

Inspiration, motivation, passion, belief, and faith

Challenges come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes the hardest part about life is finding that inspiration, motivation, passion, belief, or faith to put one foot in front of the other.  Throughout my own journey I have come across, read about, and became friends with those who each have found their own form of inspiration and faith to overcome.  It is through their dedication that I have been able to help find my own inspiration.  It is my pleasure to provide you dreams and dedications of others in the hope that maybe one will resonate and help  you to find your own belief and faith.

BRENDA DAY

Who is she: A Spokane, WA full time working woman who enjoys spending time with her husband and dog.  She may have some small flavors of OCD but she enjoys life with abandon.  Brenda is an active member of her local triathlon club, Team Blaze, competing in triathlons and local running races.   Always there to great you with a smile and a bubbly hello Brenda 

Inspiration: Brenda is inspired by anyone who overcomes a challenge.  The strength and energy the expel from facing their challenges head on and striving to achieve their goals inspires her to constantly set new goals herself.                                                                           

BRANDON BOWKER with Parents

Who is he: Born and raised in Nine Mile Falls, WA Brandon was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 15.  Looking at food labels, counting carbohydrates, gaining an understanding of the carbohydrate to insulin ratio, and learning how to judge sugar content in non-labeled foods was something that no 15 year old believes they will go through but Brandon vowed to turn it into something positive.  15 years later Brandon continues to strive towards leading a healthy life by playing baseball, basketball, working out at the gym, and finding joy in the small things in life.

Inspiration: "Treat those who are good with goodness, and also treat those who are not good with goodness. Thus goodness is attained. Be honest to those who are honest, and be also honest to those who are not honest. Thus honesty is attained."      --Lao Tzu  In all, Life motivates me! There are no stereotypes in my eyes. Be unique and own it.

DON KARDONG

Who is he: A 1971 graduate from Standford University Don Kardong moved to Spokane in 1974, where he eventually raised his now two grown daughters with wife Bridgid, to begin an elementary  teaching career. From that move forward Don's belief in community spirit and togetherness has been forefront throughout Spokane. After finishing fourth in the 1976 Olympic marathon in Montreal Don founded the all famous Lilac Bloomsday Run through Spokane. Upon opening a retail sporting goods store in downtown Spokane Don left teaching in 1977 and eventually started working as writer for Runner's World magazine for the next 16 years.  While he had put the teaching world behind him Don did not leave the children  behind him serving as executive director for the Children's Museum of Spokane from 2002 to 2004. Currently Don continues to play a major role facilitating community unit, spirit, and belief for the city of Spokane as Race Director for Bloomsday.

Inspiration: "A lot of people seem to think that motivation is a quality that they either do or don't have, and more often than not they say they don't have it. In my experience, though, motivation to stay in shape is more about figuring out where and when you're going to do it, and then treating it  like you would any other appointment, like a visit to the doctor or a business meeting. If you treat your workout as an appointment you have with yourself, rather than as something you'll do "if you have time," you'll be much more likely to stay motivated to do it."

Pat Tyson

Who is he: As the current head coach for Gonzaga University Cross Country and Track and field Pat Tyson (known as coach or merely Tyson to most) believes in passion and shocking the world.  Through his hardworking and motivated mother Tyson learned how to be a self starter at a young age.  He states, "my mother's acceptance of exploration and motivational mentor ship taught me at an early age to be an independent and passionate creator.  Tyson's passion for running arose from his fervor to work and fueled his fire for life.  After running for University of Oregon in college Tyson took a teaching and coaching position in Shoreline, Washington where he continued to run and helped to found Club Northwest, a competitive running club in Western Washington.  Tyson's coaching path has led him from Shoreline to Mead Highschool back to University of Oregon then to University of Kentucky and finally to Gonzaga University where he currently coaches.  Over the years Coach Tyson has inspired many young adults to find their passion and their dream through his unwavering belief in people and the strengths the posses.    

Inspiration:  For Tyson motivation comes from the pure and raw energy you get from the journey of life.  Fueled by his own passion for life Tyson gains inspiration as a coach, teacher, and mentor of others creating their own journey.  "The strength and drive people gain as they move through the journey of life is moving," says Tyson "it is hard not to feed off the pure, raw energy people give off when they push the limits."  All in all Coach Tyson gathers his motivation purely from people; "people are amazing" he says.  

"You can't put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get." --Michael Phelps

Back to Back Tri's: It's a mental game

Moses Lake Results

Its 8 am on Saturday morning, June 7, 2014, and I am waist deep in murky lake water for the second time in two weeks.  

Being only seven days off of my first Ironman 70.3 race it wasn't nerves creating butterflies in my stomach but lack of knowledge as to whether my legs were going to respond to 26 miles of biking and 6.1 miles of running.  

In the end it did not matter whether or not my legs were tired I merely had to make one of three choices:
            1. Give up
            2. Give in
            3. Give it all ya got
It was a game or as author Tim Galloway puts it "an inner game--that one plays with ones's mind during an athletic even."  

Race day preparation 

Despite just recently having pushed my body to a point it had never been to before I was feeling remarkably good the week after.  While this could be extreme denial I am going to chalk it up to the long hours and dedication I had put in prior to the race.  Trying to rest my legs, which had taken a majority of the beating, I spent most of my time open water swimming and lifting here and there, I even took a night off.  

Triathlon Europe Magazine

The main goal for the week in between was to replenish my massively depleted body systems; I focused on consuming more calories than I am used to.  As I tend to eat a little bit on the light side this was difficult and often made me feel awful but I knew it was necessary.  

Race day: Saturday June 7, 2014

The Moses Lake Olympic distance triathlon is really nothing to brag about; a small venue with around 30-40 women and an equal amount of men. However this was an important and meaningful race for me as a portion of the proceeds went to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a foundation that hits close to home with my amazing, wonderful, and supportive boyfriend who was diagnosed with diabetes at a young age.  I was more than proud to participate and be a part of a race that may help to change the lives of others.

Swim

While the day before had been calm and hot it seemed as though the wind god's decided to bless Moses Lake with a nice stiff breeze.  Battling murky waters, where you couldn't see you hand as it sliced through water in front of you, and waves that sucked you in I still managed to have one of my fastest swim times so far (though the time is nothing to brag about).  

Bike

This is where it became a challenge for me, or rather a game--a mental game. Due to my weakness in the swim portion of a race the bike and run is usually where I make up all my ground.  Today though the legs where just not responding.  While I was still gaining on people, as well as passing, I could just feel the lack of power and spunk with each peddle stroke. For the first time a woman passed me on the bike and at that very moment I had a choice to make: 

            1. Give up

            2. Give in to the discomfort

            3. Give it all ya got

Leaving T1 with my bike

As it is not my nature to follow the above choices one and two instinctively my brain started telling me to PUSH IT.  At this point I must say I talked to myself each and every peddle stroke.  While I did not catch the girl that passed me on the bike (I later passed her on the run) I gave it everything I had in order to keep her in my sights.   With each muscle fiber screaming at me to give in I was forced to dig deep into an emotional and mental part of my soul to keep pushing that peddle down. 

Run

Normally, I enter T2 with a purpose and a lot of energy--this time I entered feeling bummed out and like I was getting my ass handed to me.  At this point I must give a huge thanks to Brandon Bowker who's unwavering support and belief in my abilities helped to propel me though the 6.1 mile run.  Changing into my shoes with Brandon giving me race stats and updates reminded me that I am still in it and still a race to finish.  Those first three miles were the least fun I have ever had running, and I am the girl who finishes a 20 miler with a smile on her face.  Everything hurt and my brain started having a harder and harder time telling my muscles to continue firing.  Reaching the half point turn around I realized that I was on track to break the illusive 2 hours and 30 minutes mark

(something I had been striving for all year).  That revelation was the turning

point; mentally, physically, and emotionally something clicked and the power came back.  Negative splitting the last 3 miles I crossed the finish line at 2 hours and 26 minutes giving me a six minute personal best and a 1st Age Group Placing.

Mental Game

Some unknown author said it best:

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."

Having the courage to push past adversity, challenges, and obstacles is what creates change.  Saturday's race was a challenge for me.  I was forced to be a lot more mentally tough, instead of relying on whatever natural ability I have.

It would have been very easy for me to just give in to my legs and coast my way through race but that wouldn't have been who I am.  Choosing to give it everything I had not only paid off in monetary value with me taking 1st but reminded me that I am strong and can do this. 

I learned a lot from this race, even if it was a small venue.  I gained first hand knowledge of how powerful the brain is over the human body. How belief and faith in one's self can make a difference.  That giving it everything you got is 100 times more rewarding than giving in to the pain and just making it through.