Livin' the Dream

5.20

"Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so shall you become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil." 
--James Allen

It was December of 2015 that I first put down in writing that I might someday run a Spartan Race, and maybe even attempt the Spartan Trifecta (three progressively harder races, run in the same year.) That was truly a 'dream' and a stretch goal at the time, yet here we are in late 2018, and the dream from several years ago has been fulfilled.

Last month I ran my 3rd of 3 Spartan Races this year, to complete my Trifecta. It was a tremendous day! (as they have all been). Jen and our girls joined in the trip to central VA to be a much-appreciated cheering section. The course was lots of rolling hills, which made it 'easy' compared to the ski slopes of PA and northern NJ that I've run for other Spartan Races.

What was a seemingly crazy dream from years ago, became reality. Was it a snap of my fingers, and there I was, mission accomplished? No, not a chance. It's been hundreds of miles of running (lots of hills included) thousands of burpees, push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups and squats. Climbing trees, bear crawls, lunges... the workout list goes on.

You have your dreams, and your goals ahead of you. Don't latch on to what I or others are doing. Find your own dream, your own path, your own motivation, and follow. We do best when we don't compare ourselves to others, but simply compare our today, with our yesterday. How is MY journey shaping up? Have I overcome what kept me down or took me out? Have I grown or accomplished or met the challenge of whatever adventure is at hand?

Maybe you have a big dream before you. Pursue it. Take strides to accomplish it. Make the most of today and eventually you'll see how far you've come. Before you know it, you'll be livin' your dream.

By the Way

I don't run for shiny metals (although they're cool) or for the cheering crowds (although the kudos are appreciated). I run to conquer what's between my ears. There is no stretch of road or muddy obstacle that keeps my down. But my own head-trash? That can take me out in an instant.

This is my reminder of the 2018 Trifecta accomplishment - a wedge from each race (red for the Sprint; blue for the Super; green for the Beast). Dream fulfilled.

Two Months Left!

4.28

I get lots of fitness-related emails, posts and content on a weekly basis. This week Tony Horton was encouraging readers to double down on their 2017 goals and still accomplish what they set out to do this past January. I agree.

There are two months left to brush aside the excuses, the busyness and distractions and get something done for our health. Maybe it is cleaning up your pantry and finally pitching all the foods with artificial preservatives, flavors, colors and sweeteners. Or maybe it is taking your pedometer seriously for the next two months and logging some serious miles.

How about getting to the gym and actually working out? You're paying for the membership - that's supposed to be the hard part... but I think getting out the door trekking to the gym is really where the serious are separated from the bystander.

Maybe it's time to commit to a body weight workout regimen. There are innumerable and worthwhile resources out there like these:
www.darebee.com
www.spartan.com

So give it a whirl. Dig deep. Don't fizzle for the next two months... conquer! And when 2018 gets here, you'll be healthier and confident as we tackle a brand new year.

By the Way

As I often say, don't go it alone! Find a fitness buddy, or at least an online partner, or virtual coach. Create accountability around consistent effort, enjoying the journey and the fellowship that comes from working together on something worthwhile. You can do it!

Get Back Up

4.4

Have you taken some worthwhile steps on your wellness journey this year? Or maybe you set out with great intentions and hit an early road block. Life happens, no matter what terrific plans we have, and if life has derailed your forward momentum, get back up.


The greatest gift we can give ourselves when it comes to our wellness, and the health of those around us, is perseverance. When we commit to never giving up, no matter what might befall us, then the battle is half won. The rest of our success is gained by finding our momentum and moving on.

In my 6+ year wellness journey I've had all sorts of things set me back. Things not being as I thought they were, or as I thought they should be; my own lack of self-control or motivation; injuries; new wellness information which opened totally different possibilities... Any of these things could significantly help or hurt my journey - my commitment is to take everything as it comes, and I assume that I have what it takes to thrive despite the circumstances.

If you have a wellness goal in front of you, there is no doubt you will encounter challenges in pursuit of it. Count on obstacles, and commit that growing beyond the obstacles makes you stronger and adds a depth and richness to the journey that you wouldn't have had without it. Real life is not linear, even though our plans often are.

So when you get that sprain, or succumb to the temptation of foods not worthy of your power pantry, or your workout buddy abandons you, buck up and press on. And get up again and again and again. Each step, whether forward or backward, is part of the richness of your story, and valuable for your journey.

By the Way

Some of our issues can be between our own ears. We don't give ourselves enough credit for how far we've actually come, and when we're tripped up by something, we bail. Give yourself a pep talk, and another, and another - do it seven times. They say that 80% of sales are made after the 5th contact; so sell yourself on your great plans at least that many times. There is magic and blessing in that kind of grit and tenacity. Don't stay down...don't give up. You have what it takes.