Lessons Learned on The Road to Kona

26.2 Miles in Two Weeks - My View from the Couch

After putting it off for nearly two years I had arthroscopic knee surgery this past week. It was pretty minor stuff really, no major issues or repairs but enough to limit my ability to seriously train for my next Ironman. In and out of the surgery center in two hours, walking that day, back to the gym tomorrow and biking in another week. Pretty amazing what can be done on an outpatient basis these days - and how resilient and responsive our bodies are. I have a new respect for modern medicine and my knees.

While I am anxious to get back to real training (no excuses now) I am also aware that my 50+ year old triathlete body does have limitations. Understanding your capabilities, while also pushing yourself beyond what you think may be possible in order to achieve your goals, is a personal balancing act all athletes struggle with each day.

As I was sitting on the couch yesterday - leg elevated, ice pack on knee - I watched the news coverage of the wounded British soldier who just finished the London Marathon - 13 days after the start. After being severely wounded in Iraq, his doctors told him he might never walk again. He set a goal to finish the marathon and raise $1.5M for wounded war heroes.

I finished that same race in 2002. I was relieved to cross the finish line after nearly 6 hours in the rain, but can't imagine how thrilled, exhausted and honored this humble soldier felt to achieve his goal. His accomplishment has definitely motivated me to get moving again, set a new goal and push myself a little more each day - testing the limits of my own capabilities, while gaining knowledge of and respect for my limitations and vulnerabilities.

Tomorrow.

Gratitude is life's tipping point

Now that we are well past the New Year and all the resolutions and good intentions that accompany it, including those perennial promises to exercise more, eat less, lead a healthier lifestyle, I was thinking that what really counts is what you do with each day. You get up, go to the gym (maybe); if not you set some intention to take one small step toward meeting reaching your goal of taking better care of yourself and making 2009 a healthier year.

If you are like me you may look around the gym and think of all the things you can't do anymore. You're not as fast or as strong; it takes you longer to warm up and it's harder to keep up. Everyone around you seems to be younger and fitter. Or you can shift your thinking and appreciate what you can do. Let's face it, just getting up each day and working out is more than what most people accomplish. It may not seem like enough but acceptance of what you can do and gratitude for the ability, means and time to do it are important.

There will always be times when our personal and professional lives are not where we'd like them to be. But the tipping point, the fulcrum that determines whether you are headed up or down is your degree of self-acceptance and gratitude. Focusing on what you have and can do, rather than on what others have or can do, leads to thankfulness and appreciation, which in turn provides you with the energy to keep going and to achieve you goals.

So the next time you envy someone for their athletic skill, prowess and accomplishments - as I did today when I saw Lance Armstrong et al flash by during the Tour de California - give yourself some credit and be grateful for what you can do.  For you it is absolutely perfect.

The 15 Minute Rule Makes a Comeback

Today was another one of those days where my best intentions were to get to the gym and do my workout - challenging on this long holiday weekend when I'd rather be reading, watching football - anything other than a couple of hours of cardio and weights. After all I do have an Ironman race in 7 months - time flies when you think you have all the time in the world to train.

But there is the 15 minute rule that many athletes are taught early on in their training......just give your workout 15 minutes and see how you feel. If after that you are still not motivated then let it go.

And of course that never happens. The combination of your intentions, getting moving, listening to your breathing, having those endorphins kick in - you're committed now, there is no going back. Just that 15 minute gift to yourself makes all the difference in achieving your goals.

What if we "gave" that same 15 minutes to other ventures and tasks? The project at work that never seems to make it off your "to-do" list; the colleague who needs your advice or help; the family member you keep meaning to call or sit and talk with. We have become so accustomed to having things happen instantaneously  - expecting immediate responses from everything and everyone. I believe we are missing out on deeper, more meaningful experiences, personally and professionally , because we just can't stand to give things time - not a lot, but maybe just a little for a change.

Try it out this week and see how you feel, what you accomplish and what you learn about yourself and others. I'm going to.

Leading from "the middle"

Last week I did a leadership seminar for a non-profit I have been working with for a number of years now. The material was built around the concept of 360 degree leadership, that you can have tremendous influence from anywhere in the organization, particularly those of us "in the middle". With the current lack of strong leadership at "the top" of corporations it may seem obvious that we need to develop and support  leadership at all levels of the organization, but translating it into real-world work approaches and practices takes a bit of imagination and a lot of commitment.

My audience did seem to "get it", though, as evidenced by their interest level, questions and suggestions about how they would begin to practice leading from the middle.

Later that week I was coaching my team of in-training Ironman athletes in a challenging bike ride. I started out hoping to get a good ride in for my own training, but quickly realized that I was needed at the back of the pack where some athletes were struggling  - just not their day. I accepted that my role that day was to put aside my own goals in order to help them achieve theirs. That helped them work through obstacles, develop as individuals and built a stronger team - which is really "the leader's" ultimate goal anyway, right?

Consistency is boring

In my last post I said I was "lacing up the running shoes and getting back out there, training for real. Well, I've sort of been doing that, but not consistently - and any coach will tell you consistency is the key to all success - whether you are training for your first 10K or practicing your leadership skills. Consistency in your thoughts, actions and commitments is the first step to managing yourself - and setting an example for others. Inconsistency takes you off course - and off your game - and sends a message to others that you can't be trusted.

So....I am committed to being consistent, honoring myself and those around me who believe in me.

It's just that it seems so boring.