Monday, February 28, 2011

Training outside the box

With lots of talk about next season, and motivation high. Even though our focus should be on Thursday, I thought I should present some wisdom. My thoughts are outside the box, however educated, and experience based on how to perform at a higher level. In the years of my involvement in endurance sports I have seen numerous successes and failures. I have my own life experience and have been close to many athletes in many communities. Below are five experiences or observations that may help you plan a future in the sport.
I grew up on a farm. After practice each day my responsibilities included feeding square bales, throwing sawdust, shoveling manure, and moving pails of milk to feed young calves. All a part of life that increased my strength, balance and my tolerance toward the cold and hard work. I was an average runner and an above average skier
My friend Damian was one of BFA’s all time best runners,. He grew up doing a paper route on foot. And mowed lawns in the summer. He likely increased his endurance, leg strength, and his work ethic and sense of responsibility in doing these jobs.
The Essex JCT community does not provide busing to and from school for most of their students. They also have won more Division 1 cross country running titles than any other school.
Mt. Mansfield is placed in a community of mountains, rivers, and woodpiles. The culture is self sufficient oriented, with daily chores being a routine of life for many. They also have one of the most successful Nordic programs in National history.
The NWVT ski club was started by two enthusiastic Nordic skiers less than ten years ago, that created and recruited a greater number of Nordic enthusiasts, together we have won two New England Championships and have improved eastern cup results now skiing as a team.
In closing it is my belief that success in not always defined by how we train, how we are coached, or by how bad we want to win. Success is or at least can be achieved through things like lifestyle changes, community and using local natural resources’ to achieve goals. One thing for sure either by design or by accident success seems related to hard work, and the character values that come with it. So the next time that wood pile needs chopping, get on it. If the lawn needs mowing, mow it. If your buddies are going on a hike, go or invite them to go. If you can eat Doritos or a fresh vegetable from your garden, think about it. Vacuum on one foot, run to the mail box, walk to the store to get milk,. Make the changes in life that can make you successful in our sport. It may be that simple……All it takes is a 5% advantage to be above average in most cases. What’s yours?

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