Coaching more than your Legs

When it comes to training or even coaching you will learn very quickly it is more than just training your legs: it is training your MIND.

When I look at my personal training plans I see work outs that include, Hills, Intervals, Tempo runs, Strength training and so on. I see a plan that consists of me pushing my body to it limits.

But what about pushing my mind to its limits.
Running is mostly MENTAL.
This means I have to coach myself between the ears. I have to override my own stinking thinking. I have to speak power into myself through Gods promises and truth.

There is a member of my body that I was reminded is one of the strongest, most powerful members of my body.
The TONGUE.

" From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

James 3:10

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."   

Proverbs 18:21

 

Your words come from Your HEART:

"For out of the overflow of the heart the MOUTH speaks" Luke 6:45

 

 

Your training has to come from the heart. You have to have a heart that Speaks Life. Speaks Love. Speaks Edification.

 

"I do think there are a lot of kids out there that have a lot of potential to be great runners if only they have the right coach- someone who shows an interest and cares." Bill Rodgers 

 

Today, while coaching the cross country kids we went over several things. I can stand there with a stopwatch and a whistle shouting off numbers with ease. I can have them run time trials and teach them proper running form all day long. I can sit at home and prepare the training plan without thinking.

The kids absorb your words. They seek your direction. At the end of the day, when they have given you everything they have, when they are running through rain, exhausted and sore they need your words. The words of encouragement, the words that build up, the words that help them recover from the intensity of the training or the intensity of their minds.  

I needed to remind the kids that although we are all trying to run stronger faster better, we also have to exercise our tongues. It is our job to encourage one another and lift each other up.

 

"The Coaches main job is 20% technical and 80% inspirational." Franz Stampf

1. Watch your Heart
2. Coach your Mind
3. Train your Tongue

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When we were at the Boston Marathon Expo, we went by a vender I have seen at several expos. It is the Medal Wall Hanger booth. I always drool when I go by this vender. I have my medals all packed away right at this moment. But before we moved I had them hanging in my closet on a tie hanger.

A nice medal hanger runs about 60$-80$.  I have never been able to justify purchasing one. At the expo I was a few booths ahead of Andy. He surprised me and order me one!! At first I was upset because it cost so much with all the added expenses of our trip. But then Austin, standing next to me said "Mom, let dad buy it for you, he is trying to do something nice!"

"Hmm..OK!"

It came in today!!! Isnt it PRETTY!! Pretty dang COOL!

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The Rundown:

Distance:8 miles 

Pace:8:36

Time:1:08

Danielle was just on fire today. The more she talked the more powerful her run unfolded. Thank God I was not feeling sore today! The last mile and a half is scattered with hills. Normally we are struggling at this point. Danielle ran them like a Girl on FIRE while my fire was burning out!

 

THURSDAY GUILTY PLEASURE: Tim Hortons egg white breakfast sandwich without cheese.

Every Thursday I clean Maw Maw's house. Maw Maw loves McDonald's. Not me. I bring her breakfast on my way over to her house. If I am going by McDonald's I will get an Egg White Delight, NO cheese. But I PREFER TIM HORTONS..I am embarrassed to say how I drink my coffee..But here goes..

1medium with 2 creams and 4 sugars. My mouth is watering thinking about!

 

What Your Guilty Pleasure??

 

Anita