USATF – Page 6 – Disney Employee Engagement Speaker

USATF Masters Indoor Nationals

How are your exercise goals progressing so far this year?

And what do you do to stay motivated, in spite of all the easy reasons to quit?

After many years of running on my own, with no companions, and no competitions, I discovered the unusually satisfying effect of age-group competition.

First in 5k races, and a few 10k races. But my body frame isn’t really built for distance – whatever that means.

And then there’s the fact that life can be bittersweet, can’t it?

So yesterday, in the rain, I have a great five-mile run, with virtually no foot pain. Foot pain is what kept me away from the Master’s World Indoor Championships two weeks ago in British Columbia and what is keeping me away from this month’s Indoor National Championships in Boston.

Life goes on. Some opportunities go past us, and others will find us when we least expect them.

But only if we never give up.

Sometime soon, I’ll decide on if there’s another shot at competing this outdoor season.

PS. There are two posts at Lane 8 today. Scroll down for “health habits revealed”.

Most Legendary Coach All-Time

Click here to read about the most legendary coach of all time. You won’t recognize his name, but his record of accomplishment will blow you away.

The only reason you are invited, and encouraged, to read it is because most have never heard of this remarkable coach, his vision, his habits, his life. Soon enough, he will fade away, along with his amazing accomplishments.

This really is your only opportunity. Your life is too busy to come back. Being excellent at what you do requires you to work harder than the people who are good and very good at what you do.

So why do it now? Because if you don’t have time now, you won’t have it later either. This is the way life works and why those who are excellent develop a “do it now” habit.

Excellent people also know that their next best idea can come from others who are extraordinarily excellent.

Why? Because it could hold a simple angle or simple tactic to your success. But you may never know….

Master’s Athlete of the Year 2009

Master's Athlete of the Year, Rita Hanscom

Rita Hanscom was selected as Master’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2009.

Rita Hanscom (San Diego, Calif.): Named World Masters Athlete of 2009 by the IAAF and World Masters Athletics after winning five gold medals in Lahti and setting a world record in the W55 heptathlon. She’s a deputy attorney general for the state of California.

The photo above is from the 2009 Master’s Track & Field Outdoor World Championships in Lahti, Finland. It was a privilege to meet Rita and her son and daughter.

In Finland, there was a sense of community and fellowship among the 5,300 athletes from 80 countries. It’s challenging to explain. It was unique, competitive, healthy and vibrant, supportive. Amazingly supportive.

Who couldn’t use as much of that that the law will allow, in pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

USATF Masters Track Press Release

USATF Press Release, February 8, 2010: United States Largest Master’s Track & Field Indoor World Championships Ever, heading to Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

Click here to read the official USATF Press Release.

The past few weeks have been a painful reminder how challenging it is to stay motivated. Most of us can eventually find a compelling reason(s) to get healthy.

Few of us find compelling, long-term reasons.

That is why it is essential to figure out a million ways to stay motivated. A million. Are ya with me. Succeed or fail. There is no middle ground.

USA Track and Field does it for me. For now.

What’s doing it for you?

Lane 8 Healthy Week Flashback

Last night, while watching the Super Bowl, did some blog surfing and found this Lane 8 healthy blog post from last April.

It’s a story about a Father and a Son having a casual conversation that was as significant, as it was insignificant.

These are the small, often unnoticed moments that make life exciting.

You have one you’d like to share?