Running Lingo/Life Lingo

Reading through this month's Runner's World magazine--one of the few magazines I read cover to cover--my attention was grabbed by an article written about Deena Kastor, the fastest American woman in history (she won the 2003 London Marathon in 2:21:16, can you even imagine running that fast for 26 miles!?). In the article Deena offers her Recipe for Success: How to run your best, even if it isn't for an Olympic medal. As I read through the article I was struck by how much of her advice I use with my coaching clients. This is not only a recipe for runners, but a recipe for life.

Partner Up: Kastor says to find someone to share the road with as it will help you stick to a structured plan. In moving forward toward sticking with your own life goals, it is important to have someone who is holding you accountable. This can be a coach, family member, co-worker or friend. When you realize you have to call your coach and tell her about what you accomplished, most folks will make sure they have taken some action during the week--even if it is only the hour before the call!

Touch Your Toes: Kastor says most runners don't stretch enough. I couldn't agree more in that I feel most people don't stretch their minds enough. Many of us are happy staying in that comfy coach potato mode and resist stretching our minds to incorporate a new way of thinking about or analyzing a problem in order to come up with a new solution. I talk about this as conscious thinking with my clients. It is easy to stay in the same old dance steps (unconscious thinking) and not challenge yourself to boogie to a new beat!

Mix Things Up: Deena notes that the more variety you add to your training, the more likely you will stick with it. In this example, I encourage my clients to engage in everyday situations in a novel manner. Live life in the here and now--surprise the bagger at the grocery store with a kind comment or smile, engage in a real conversation with your mail delivery person (see archive entitled "A Real Person in Make Believe"), step outside your own head and observe what goes on around you. Pay it forward in some manner in your day and see what happens! When you interact in your environment in a positive manner, you will attract the same into your life.

Pick a Goal: Kastor encourages runners to write their goal down and post it on the fridge or bathroom mirror because each time you see your goal it will refocus you. In my coaching, I encourage my clients to spend time articulating their goals and writing them down. In this way, my clients maintain their focus on what is important to them and they can chart their progress toward the realization of those goals. Henriette Anne Klauser notes, in her book "Write it Down, Make It Happen," that writing down your dreams and aspirations is like hanging up a sign proclaiming "Open for Business"--you alert a part of your brain to start paying attention and working overtime to cue you when signs come along that help you achieve your goals. She compares this cueing as similar when you buy a blue Honda and suddenly you start seeing blue Hondas all over town. They were there all along but you were just not paying attention!

Fuel Up: Deena urges runners to include a variety of healthy foods in their diet: fresh foods over fast foods. I also believe that we need to honor and care for our bodies. Becoming knowledgeable and conscious of making good choices will hopefully ensure a long and healthy life. Healthy choices include eating healthful foods, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining balance between career and leisure activities, engaging in loving, nurturing relationships, and an abundance of opportunities to laugh! One of my all time favorite books on health is "You, The Owner's Manual" by Drs. Roizen and Oz. A winning combo of great advice and a fun read!

Push Yourself: Finally, Deena observes, it's easy to get through a workout when you are feeling good--it's the rough days that you need to challenge yourself. Listen to your body and adjust your run--you might come out of a bad day stronger than when you started. How many of us can relate to that? Sometimes it is really, really hard to stay on track and make the choices we need to make in order to move forward. Somedays I swear my daughter's BBQ chips are calling to me from the pantry! Just when you feel ready to give in to that craving or temptation--hang in there--go for a walk, call a friend, email your coach--once you make it through to the other side (and you will), you will feel like you have come in first across that finish line!

Thought for the day: Print out or copy these Recipes for Success: Put them into practice this week and tell me how you did! I'm here cheering you on as you take off from the starting line when the gun goes off!

If you want to be successful at anything, it requires practice.
--Bill Wenmark, on running a marathon