This Blog is for Murray XC Runners and Summer Miles
Announcements
Announcements
We have another race Friday, August 16th. It is the RAC Invite. We are Hosting.
There is a fee of $5.00 per car. SO, stuff that car full.
If you are driving a car, it is $5.00 dollars to enter. SO PLEASE be prepared. Payment by Card only. I SEE Spectator Payment LINK Left side of the BLOG
We still have runners that need to complete their RMA Register. My athlete completed ASAP!
If you want to run at the RAC INVITE, you MUST complete your RMA.
Monday August 12th 7:00AM LAST Pipeline trail run Up Millcreek Canyon. (Meet at Olympus Shopping Center 3536 Jupiter Dr, Millcreek, Meet to the right of the Grocery Store. Park in front of the Bowling Alley. Parking lot to Car pull. (Millcreek Canyon free to go in is FREE as long as we are out of the canyon by, I believe 8 or 9AM, If not it will be $5.00 per car to leave the canyon)
Tuesday August 13th 3:00PM Meet in Room #117 Murray High School. Murray Park Speed work
Wednesday August 14th 3:00PM Meet in Room #117 Murray High School. Southwood Park with Pushes.
Thursday August 15th 3:00PM Meet in Room #117 Murray High School. Easy run.
Friday August 16th RAC INVITE
(RAC) Regional Athletic Complex 2280 Rose Park Ln, Salt Lake City, UT 84116
I need
to know who is serious about going to HARC! July 22nd to July 25th.
PLEASE put
your miles on the 2024 Summers Miles tracker (see left side of the BLOG)
#1. Talk to
me and let me know.
#2 Put your
miles on the BLOG
#3 It will
cost $150.00 (pay using the LINK entitled HARC Payment.
#4 I will
need your shirt Size.
PLEASE let
me know ASAP!
Lately I have been thinking a lot about the following, personal
growth, resilience, and the dynamics of comfort versus challenge in life.
Let's break down
some key insights:
Embracing Change: Change
is inevitable, yet humans often resist it. This resistance might stem from fear
of the unknown or discomfort with uncertainty. However, embracing change allows
for personal growth and adaptation.
Overcoming Fear:
Fear of failure is common, but equally daunting can be the fear of success.
Stepping out of one's comfort zone is essential for growth, as it challenges
self-imposed limitations and expands the scope of what one believes possible.
Self-Reflection and Inner Strength:
Reflecting on challenges through the lens of a stronger, more confident version
of oneself can provide clarity on how to navigate difficulties. Listening to
one's inner voice and confronting fears can lead to personal transformation and
contribute positively to the world.
Comfort Zone Dynamics:
While stepping out of your comfort zone is crucial for growth, it's also
important to recognize the value of comfort itself. Balance between the two
allows for both stability and progress.
Mindset and Exercise:
Physical exercise can be a powerful tool for mental clarity and emotional
resilience. It clears the mind of doubts and negative thoughts, facilitating
better decision-making and overall well-being.
Courage and Expansion: The
capacity to confront challenges and fears directly correlates with the
expansiveness of one's life. Courage enables individuals to push through
adversity and achieve personal evolution.
In summary, the preceding paragraphs underscore the
importance of embracing change, confronting fears, and continuously challenging
oneself to grow. They advocate for a balanced approach that respects comfort
while actively seeking opportunities for personal development. Ultimately, by
facing challenges and embracing discomfort, we can rewrite our own narratives
and achieve significant personal and team growth.
Some of the most valuable lessons we learn in life can
occur in unexpected places.
We often find that the journey is more important than the destination...
Life has a way of teaching us profound lessons when we
least expect it. Sometimes, it's not about reaching a specific goal or
destination but about the experiences and growth we encounter along the way.
These unexpected lessons can come from various sources: a chance encounter with
a stranger, a difficult situation that tests our resilience, or even a moment
of quiet reflection.
The journey itself is a continuous learning process where
we discover our strengths, weaknesses, and values. It teaches us patience,
perseverance, and the importance of adaptation. Often, the challenges we face
and the detours we take provide us with insights that shape our character and
guide our decisions.
Moreover, the journey allows us to appreciate the present
moment and find meaning in the experiences we go through. It encourages us to
embrace uncertainty and see it as an opportunity for personal growth and
self-discovery.
So, while goals and destinations give us direction, it is
the journey that enriches our lives and molds us into who we are. Each step we
take and every experience we encounter contributes to the journey of personal
growth and resilience, which is such a fundamental part of our human
experience. Moving out of our comfort zones and confronting challenges allows
us to discover our true potential and learn important life lessons. Often, it's
in those moments of discomfort or adversity that we find the strength and
courage to overcome obstacles and evolve into better versions of ourselves.
Peeling back the layers of our lives involves
introspection and self-awareness. It requires us to confront our fears,
insecurities, and past experiences to heal and grow. This process can be both
challenging and transformative, but ultimately it leads to greater
self-acceptance and understanding.
Acknowledging that we are not defined solely by what
happens to us is a powerful realization. We can shape our own narratives, learn
from our experiences, and choose how we respond to adversity. This inner
journey involves both self-compassion and self-discipline — being our own worst
critic at times but also our strongest advocate and supporter.
We need to inspire ourselves and others to "Keep
Moving Forward" especially during difficult times. We need to maintain our
motivation, perspective and our why! This helps remind us that resilience is
built through perseverance and that every challenge is an opportunity for
growth. By embracing this mindset, we can navigate the ups and downs of life
with greater resilience, wisdom, and optimism.
Ultimately, the journey toward healing and self-discovery
is unique for everyone. It requires patience, courage, and a willingness to
confront the complexities of the human condition. Through this journey, we can
emerge stronger, wiser, and more compassionate towards ourselves and others.
Hello Spartan Runners!! Excited to see you tomorrow running
up on the pipeline trail. Last week I
spent a few days down at Bryce Canyon, What a majestic and beautiful place.
Still recovering from my bulging disc. Still not able to run yet! I did spend
plenty of time on some amazing trails. The sights were amazing! I SO wanted to
run all the trails that I was only able to walk.
While out in nature I spent time reflecting on the gift
of running. What running has meant to me in my life. All the many memories that
I have associated with running. Finally,
all the incredible, amazing people that I have met because of running. By the
way, YOU are ALL counted in the number of amazing people I have met through
running.
While in Bryce Canyon, and the world being as small of a place
as it is. I ran in to 4 of my former students and 2 who were runners for me. This
really solidified for me the importance and value that our relationships with
others in life is so impactful and Instrumental in who we become.
For over 26 years of teaching, 28 years of coaching, and over
45 years of running, my circle of influence has grown each year. For me It’s
the relationships that hold the deepest meaning. So, as we embark on this year
of Cross-Country let’s do so with conviction.
Conviction to plan, execute and
accomplish your individual, team, family, and personal aspirations. Will this
be something that you will get to it? ONE DAY/1 DAY? Or will today be your DAY
ONE/ DAY 1?
There are no short cuts in running. The TIME is now to
solidify your running foundation.
"Running with Purpose" can mean many
things. Let me start by saying that having a purpose in anything you do is one
of the most contributing factors to overall success. Having purpose in running
puts training in perspective. It’s present when you need to be reminded of your
goals, whatever they may be. Let’s stay focused and let’s find your purpose!!
Sometimes, passions help us find purpose. “People who care deeply about things are probably more likely to identify a purpose for their lives,”
My passion is this team, is my teaching, my coaching, and my FAMILY!
Hello runners! These past few months I have been experiencing
a bulge in a disc in my back and I’m telling you that the PAIN is real fun?
NOT. I have always been an active person. Those that have had my class run the
past few years know that I like to get out and run. This has been a very
difficult process, not being able to perform life’s normal activities without experiencing
pain like I have never felt before.
Needless to say, it has been very humbling. I’ve been
focusing on all the things I’m not able to do, instead I should have been
focusing on the things that I can still do. I have decided to be grateful for
the things that I have in my life, along with being grateful for the things I’m
still able to do.
I appreciate the opportunity of coaching this team and
for the memories and relationships I have been honored to be a part of. This
team and these kids are amazing, and they have ALL had a positive major impact
on my life. Below are some thoughts that have been weighing heavily on my mind
and in my heart.
PLEASE take some time to reflect and be grateful for the
many wonderful things that you have in your life. Tell others how grateful you
are for them being in your life. Expressing your gratitude daily. Surround yourself with likeminded people. When
you surround yourself with people who practice gratitude, your gratitude and
appreciation grow. Take ownership of where you are now. When you take
ownership of the present moment, you choose to be grateful. You choose to
be optimistic and positive about the present. Committing to gratitude practice
helps you understand why you appreciate certain things rather than
others. You also get to see the positive effect your gratitude has on
others.
An attitude of gratitude.
Here are 5 ways to develop an attitude of gratitude:
1. Appreciate everything
To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, look for things to
appreciate daily. Developing active gratitude is different from reactive
gratitude.
With reactive gratitude, you wait for something to happen
before you express appreciation or thanks.
With active gratitude, you consciously look for ways to
be grateful and express appreciation. Expressing gratitude becomes a
choice.
When you express gratitude daily, the things and people
you appreciate grow in value. You also start to see more things to be
grateful for, which makes you happier and more content.
By appreciating everything, you will have far more
gratitude in your life which increases positivity and happiness. Being a
positive, grateful person attracts other people into your life who have a
similar mindset.
2. Express gratitude every day
To cultivate an attitude of gratitude, it’s important to
express gratitude daily, rather than on occasion.
Developing a gratitude practice of acknowledging what
you’re thankful for or appreciate every day, will expand the value of the
things you are grateful for.
Increasing gratitude starts with setting up your day to
be thankful. Good gratitude practice is to start and end each writing
down three things you’re grateful for.
Expressing gratitude daily builds positive habits, and
forces you to appreciate every day, even if you’ve had a bad day.
The repeated process of expressing gratitude daily helps
to deepen relationships, improves your self-care practice and gives you time to
think and be present.
Developing a gratitude practice may seem strange or
difficult at first. After a few days, it gets easier to identify and
express gratitude for the things you’re grateful for.
3. Surround yourself with gratitude mindset focused
people
To develop an attitude of gratitude, it’s important to
surround yourself with people who also have a gratitude mindset.
When you surround yourself with people who practice
gratitude, your gratitude and appreciation grow. You feel happier, more
positive, more energized, and more motivated when you spend more time in a
positive environment.
If you spend time with negative people or people with a
scarcity mindset, you’re more likely to have a similar mindset.
Find people who are grateful and appreciative and spend
more time with them. Take your gratitude practice to the next level by
sending handwritten letters or notes to those people saying how much you
appreciate them.
4. Take ownership of your present
Developing an attitude of gratitude starts with
appreciating and giving thanks for what you have. Being happy about what
you’ve achieved and giving thanks to the people in your life increases your
gratitude.
When you take ownership of the present moment, you choose
to be grateful. You choose to be optimistic and positive about the
present.
When you are grateful for your present situation, you can
reframe how you think about what’s important right now. This will help
you get clear on the future you want to create.
When you take ownership of the present, you focus on
achievements and the progress you’ve made in your life. A positive
mindset reframes negative thoughts and builds confidence from past
accomplishments.
When you express gratitude, feelings of anger, guilt, and
self-pity stop. They are replaced by feelings of self-confidence and
self-worth. This also builds positivity and excitement.
When we feel grateful, we make decisions and communicate
more effectively. We also take action to create the life we want.
5. Commit to a gratitude practice
When you commit to daily gratitude, practice your mindset
and thinking change. When you appreciate things that matter, you get more
insight into what’s important to you.
This gives you a chance to pause and think about your
purpose. You get clear on why things are important and why certain things
and people are valuable to you.
Committing to gratitude practice helps you understand why
you appreciate certain things rather than others. You also get to see the
positive effect your gratitude has on others.
Conclusion
Start an attitude of gratitude by choosing to appreciate
the most important things in your life. You can start practicing
gratitude by writing down three things you’re grateful for each day.
When you express gratitude, a gratitude habit develops
that will change your life. An attitude of gratitude also ensures you
feel happier, more positive, and more excited.
The value of the people that matter most will
appreciate. This ensures you appreciate them even more.
Summer Miles are SO important, it is definitely a step by step, mile by
mile process. It's vital that we continue to show up and put in the time. AS is
quoted above, ANYTHING WORTH DOING IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT! in Running as in
life there are NO short-cuts.
An engine in a rocket ship does NOT fire without a small spark first. We all
need small sparks, small accomplishments in our lives to fuel the big ones.
Think of your small accomplishments as kindling. When you want a bonfire, you
don't start by lighting a big log. You collect some dry dead grass or a small
pile of hay. You light that, and then add some small sticks and bigger sticks
before you feed big logs into the blaze. It's the small sparks which start
small fires, that eventually build enough heat to burn an entire forest
down.
Running summer miles is the spark that will ignite your season. As you continue
to be dedicated and consistently run it's like adding sticks to the fire, which
will help prepare each individual runner for invitationals and all races!
