Exercise is key for our mental and physical well-being! And given the uncertainty of 2020 and 2021, we need daily mini goals so that we each have something on the “schedule” to accomplish and that CAN be accomplished. That accomplishment will provide a reason to celebrate and celebration is necessary! In particular, the focus on internal goals is crucial in the absence of racing so that you can control a small part of your current environment. I can recall how when I was sick in 2010 and on IV antibiotics for 5 weeks, I still rode my bike trainer for an hour each day. I was newly removed from professional sport so I was used to pushing 200 watts for 3-4 hours. But during those 5 weeks, I would huff and puff and only push 120-130 watts. But I was so happy. Why? Because for that hour, I didn’t feel as if I had CF. I felt like “me”. And that is what “exercise” provides. It is an escape from whatever you want to escape. And right now, it can be an escape from the pandemic and the feeling of isolation. During your bike or run or snowshoe or row or strength or swim (if you are lucky to swim) – you get to be YOU!! You get to succeed because the very completion of your task is success. Yes, as a coach, I give pacing and effort and wattage guidelines to my athletes. But, at the end of the day, my only expectation is for an athlete to do the best that they can with their deck of cards. That is progress. Consistency is progress. And I choose “progress over perfection”. You will never run as fast in -10 degrees as you do in 10 degrees. But heck, you sure will develop fitness, resiliency and pride!! So celebrate the process!
Here are few things I have learned this week and that I want to share:
- the key to happiness is not in getting what you want but in wanting what you get (words of Ron Maclean)
- we will always find what is wrong with something or see flaws in something when we look hard enough. Let’s try to find the good! “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change the things we can change and the wisdom to know the difference.”
- I am spending 1 minute each day and closing my eyes and visualizing the person I want to be that day. That practise sets me up to be my best. I revisit that visualization a few times each day to stay on task.
And lastly, you never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
Happy Family Day!