Tag: USATF

Lane 8, Lane 8, Lane 8

Lane 8, Lane 8, Lane 8.

Never gets old.

Lane 8 never gets old?

Not for me.

Why?

Because I’ve come to realize that the way to be great, at anything, is to cultivate, develop, and finally, harness two key factors.

Focus and discipline.

Can you imagine trying to be great without these two?

There’s one other factor that deserves intense consideration – vision.

Steve Prefontaine had a vision – to be the greatest runner in the world, even though people said he was too short, too weak.

Good luck with whatever is important to you. Now you know my secrets.

They’re actually just common sense, but not common practice.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Lane 8 is Impossible?

Is Lane 8 impossible?

Yes.  Absolutely impossible.

That’s what I told a friend yesterday at lunch.  We were at Hartsfield International Airport, on our way home from Pittsburgh.

She asked, “Why is it impossible”? I smiled  and answered, “Because there are so many people who can run faster than me.  Plus, I was never a great runner”.

Then I added, “But because I’ve been focused and disciplined for a decade, if the best runners have their worst day, and I have my best day, I could be in the mix for Lane 8”.

I said,  “If I can make it to the finals, I will absolutely be the slowest runner there”.

Lane 8 is where the slowest runner is put.  Lane 1 is the next slowest .  The fastest are in the middle.

She really didn’t understand exactly what I was talking about.

This is a David versus Goliath story.  A story that is being told so my son, who’s eight, will have a memory and a metaphor about his Dad at age 50.

“When my Dad turned 50, he competed at the Master’s Track & Field World Championships in the 400 meters – many say it’s the sport’s toughest race”.

It’s my hope that he’ll always remember that in life we have two choices:

  1. To try to be the fastest of the slowest.
  2. To try to be the slowest of the fastest.

It’s simply a family story and a vision he can use to make choices about how hard to try and why, as he goes through life.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather try and fail than not try at all.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

Hurricane season and Lane 8

Lane 8 and hurricane season have a common thread.  A David versus Goliath type of thread.

A big, formidable foe, and a lowly and weak opponent.

Humans versus a category four hurricane.  Who loses?  Humans.

David versus Goliath.  Looking at the two, most would bet on the giant – the obvious, overwhelmingly physically superior human.

Ya still with me?

With proper preparation, a foe’s strengths can be mitigated.

We can’t stop hurricanes, but we can wisely prepare for them.

We also can’t stop the aging process, but with dedicated and consistent focus, we can age wisely.  Certainly, at the very least, we can make it better than if we do nothing.

We also might surprise ourselves at the house we can build, if we plan ahead, and work hard.

That’s why I think going to Finland in August is such a David versus Goliath feat.

Win or lose, I’ll leave nothing on the track.

Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

PS.  If you do happen to click on the Finland in August link, scroll to the 400 meters.  There I am, next to last.

USATF website

USATF = United States Track & Field.  Everything from our US Olympic Team, US World Team, plus Collegiate, Masters and High School meets, athletes, training, etc., are found here.

Here’s the Home page for the 2009 World Championships – USA Master’s World Team

I’m making final logistical preparations to attend.

My training is slowly getting faster and more intense.  That part really is exciting. 

However, I still can’t shake the left heel pain.   That part isn’t really exciting.

Now, when it’s really difficult, is the time I get the most pressure to find an excuse to give up.

But I can’t give up.  Instead, I rested today.   And spent the work day in Jury Duty.

Keep your head up, as difficult as it may be.   Your health is too important to quit.  Do something healthy and carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂