The Power of Giving

To Give to the Sponsor a Chair campaign - click here

The holiday season has quickly fallen upon us as we say good bye to Thanksgiving and prepare for Christmas. And as the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season can cause some to chase down the perfect gift to share with loved ones, perhaps this is a great time to consider giving back to others! As the late Winston Churchill stated, 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give!' If you're looking for a worthwhile and generous cause, look no further than myTeam Triumph - Wisconsin Chapter and their Sponsor a Chair campaign.

All funds raised during this Giving Tuesday Campaign go directly toward the purchase of a new chair. Why a chair might you wonder? myTeam Triumph prides itself enriching the well being of individuals with diverse abilities and fostering lifelong relationships through community athletics. Each chair is used to embrace, celebrate, and empower those with diverse abilities in the completion of races. Your donation supports the purchase of a very unique and special chair this year!

I can personally attest to how powerful giving to this organization has been in my life. As I started giving of my time and legs to push, I have begun to create amazing friendships that continue to inspire me. From a leadership team that puts people and captains first, to crew members that go out of their way to make each event one of a kind, right down to the captains sharing life with you - myTeam Triumph has inspired me to give back more of myself. This organization has helped me see how life is less about me and more about we. I have learned that success is not measured by my bank account, fame, or size of my house. No, life is meant to be shared with others, pursuing inclusivity and equality for all. 

Please consider donating to myTeam Triumph and help support a mission that truly puts people first. To donate today, please visit: https://www.classy.org/campaign/giving-tuesday/c147585 

#WheelsOfInclusion #OwnYourDestiny

Committing to a Better You

Yes, it's Saturday of opening Deer Hunting Weekend - no I am not a hunter! Instead, I sit inside reflecting on the week about to end and the commitment to training and eating better. I just finished a 13 mile ride outdoors on a windy, rainy morning. For me, there is nothing like getting outside and letting your wheels hit the pavement. As I was riding today, I started to think how this past week has really felt like the starting point to a better me.

Perhaps the greatest commitment to a better me comes from what I am fueling my body with. It's rather difficult to commit to a training regimen if you don't feed your body with food it can use. I will be the first to admit, I love my carbs and sugar. Unfortunately, my body and mind do not! If I want to commit to training for an Iron Man, or even Half Iron Man, I must first commit to a better and more healthier diet.

And that's just what I did to star the week of. Starting with boycotting sugar and empty carbs - mainly bread. It was quickly followed with a trip to the grocery store to fill the fridge with much healthier and more colorful food options. It also meant dedicating time to prepare meals that include a healthy dose of protein and simple carbs my body can digest and break down...spinach, sweet potatoes, zuccini, sweet peppers.

What I also learned was that I needed to change how I ate my meals. Rather than dinner being my largest meal, I planned for breakfast to be my meal that packed the most punch. After all, it was breakfast that was going to be fueling my day. Dinner became my lightest meal, never eating past 8 pm. While it's only been a week, I can definitely feel the benefits paying off already. How do I know?

First and foremost, my mind has become more positive. I can approach each day with a positive and optimistic outlook. I sleep much better at night and don't seem to be as restless. Any my training - well I'll just let that speak for itself. I've trained for six days in a row this week, leaving Sunday for my day of rest. Most importantly, my body feels great after training so much.

The week saw three different swim workouts for a total of 5,300 meters. It included two indoor bike sessions for a total of 75 minutes, and one outdoor bike trip of 13.5 miles. There was one day of running two miles, and two different strength and core workouts. I've been busy and my body seems to be holding up in large part to how I'm feeding it. 

As you begin committing to a better you, be sure to focus on what your feeding your mind and body. Your body does a great job of telling you how it's feeling, what it likes, and what it doesn't like. You must be willing to make sacrifices if you wish to become a better you. #OwnYourDestiny

Pain Has a Purpose?

I'm not even going to try and hide it...I miss running. The sound of your feet pounding the pavement. The cool, crisp autumn air as it hits your face. Taking in the scenery as it passes by. I miss all of it. And as my running season ended quite early this season due to a sports hernia, I was quite bummed that I needed to stop early.

The pain of running had just become to much to bear. The only treatment - REST! That's laughable...rest. How in the world does someone that enjoys being active just rest. I was puzzled. Therefore, I needed to find an activity that was low impact and high cardio. One that would allow me to keep chasing Iron Man. Therefore, it was only natural that I look to tackle the one event I fear in triathlons - swimming. 

Only a mere month ago did I step foot in the pool to begin 'training' in something I wasn't too fond of. Only a mere month ago did I struggle to swim for 100m without needing to catch my breath. Or swim for maybe three minutes before I needed to grab the end of the lane. Yet, three times a week, I awoke before the sun was shining and found myself immersed in water.

A month later, I can say that I have learned to enjoy swimming. Not only has my stamina and distance improved, I've also learned that the pool is becoming my friend. It was only yesterday that I finished a 45 minute swim workout. A workout that saw me swim four sets of 500m at a crack, with two minutes rest between sets. Something I dreaded for so long is slowly becoming a strength.

And while I sat in the sauna afterward, I begin to realize something bigger was happening. The pain of not being able to run, not getting to be outside on the pavement was making way for me to practice what I was terrified of. The pain is helping me learn who I am, what I have to be grateful for, and how to build up my weaknesses. I never realized swimming could be such a mindful activity. The sound of the water rushing over your head. The synchronization of your breathing pattern. Watching the water rush by your face. The soreness of your shoulders and arms and you push the water past you. Swimming has become my release - my escape from the world. And dare I say I enjoy it. Dare I say I look forward to tackling a long swim outdoors.......when the weather is right of course!

Don't see your pain as a burden. Look to your pain as a venue to become a better you. To shape who you want to be and who you can become. Look to the pain as a way to build up your weaknesses and keep faith in who you are and where you are going! 

#OWNYOURDESTINY #RUNLIKEANGELS

Live for Today!

This past weekend, I had the unfortunate opportunity of saying good bye to a  young man that was taken from this world far too soon. At the young age of 29, he was tragically killed in a vehicle accident. Set to be married in December and an avid hunter and hockey fan, his death came as shock to his family and friends. While it had been at least ten years since I last say or spoke to him, I was quickly reminded what a great young man he was. 

As I waited patiently in what seemed like a never ending line, I caught myself flashing back to those early days of my coaching career. It was through my early years as a football coach that I met this young man and his family...and all his friends for that matter. Starting in 7th grade, then 9th grade, and finally as a Sophomore on the JV squad. He brought a smile and a wit to every practice, every game! He had this infectious ability to make you laugh, while he worked his tail off to be the best he could be. 

And so here I stood, waiting in line to pay my condolences. Surrounded by young men and women who I grew up coaching and noticing they are beginning to start families, a harsh reality hit me hard. Here lies a young man, destined for great things and eager to start a family, lying in a casket. Nothing in life is guaranteed. We are only given today as a gift and we must choose wisely how we live for today. We have the choice to make the best of each day, approach others with kindness, and share our positive attitude with everyone we encounter. 

And while the events of the day left me emotional, somber, and reflective, I realized I must continue to push on chasing my destiny in hopes of providing the opportunity for someone else to claim Iron Man status. When I don't feel like training, I must look in the mirror and remind myself of the time I was standing at his casket, wondering could this happen to me? I commit to Owning My Destiny and putting the hopes and dreams of someone else ahead of my own fear, pride, and pain. 

As I end, I feel remiss if I don't remind you to hug your loved ones a little longer the next chance you have. Pick up the phone and tell them you love them. Take hold of what you love the most and share love!

#OwnYourDestiny #RunLikeAngels

Let the Training Commence

As the cold winds turn in beautiful Wisconsin, I knew what lurked ahead. This certainly is an odd time of year to begin training for a Half Iron Man. Nonetheless, I knew it was time to start and stick to a schedule that will help me build physical strength, mental toughness, and an appreciation for opportunity I am given. While searching for and creating a training schedule, I knew most difficult part would be flexing my personal schedule to make training a priority. I am a father of three after all - which always take precedence above all else.

There in lies the dilemma of creating a routine training schedule that provides ample time to swim, bike, and run each week. While I've done my fair share of research, I'm learning that I need to be flexible - flexible in when I awake in the morning, how I use my lunch at work, and what I can quickly get in before the evening darkness sets in! The fear of being able to train appropriately cannot hold me back from chasing my dreams - after all, this isn't about me!

While I wouldn't normally call myself an early bird, I've recognized the need to get to the pool bright and early to get a good swim workout in. How early - 5:30 am at the latest! A good 30-45 minute swim regime is a perfect way to start my week, as I did this past Monday. After a day of work, I quickly scoot home to see if I can catch some rays of sun as I pedal my legs off on a short and quick ride! Mixed in with a few days of strength training to increase power, as well as a few days of short runs, I'd say I've got a 'routine' started and headed in the right direction.

Yet, I know that to overcome my fear of training enough, I will need to be flexible in how I use the time I have. One day, I may need to play dad and be at dance practice, or be the coach on the sideline. Either way, it's about creating time for yourself to #OwnYourDestiny and overcome the fears you face. What I would not have imagine, and cannot stress enough, is having a support network built around you. Whether it be through good friends, social media, or family, the support and surprises they give along the way are the fuel your heart and soul need to carry on.

What was the fuel for me this week? It was the following post-card/thank you I received in the mail! It was that subtle reminder that no matter how hard a workout, a training ride or run, there is a greater purpose it chasing an Iron Man. This isn't about me and my pain, it's about helping someone else fulfill a dream and goal. It's about the smile on his/her face - the perspective on life they share that encourages and empowers you to face those fears and know there is a greater good in this pursuit. 

#OwnYourDestiny #RunLikeAngels