My First Half

Game fazed.... Easy Decision

Running a half marathon for the first time earlier this year was fun. The word "marathon" is in the title, which sounds very impressive, but so is the word "half", which softens the horror of doing a long distance run for the first time. "Half marathon" is not as scary as "Very Hard 21km." Though I had run 10km numerous time without problem, the push to another level was exciting but as with any first time, a small source of anxiety. I sat down and talked myelf into the senisble approach; 8 weeks of training, realistic goals, new shoes, lots of stretching.... all the right things to keep me on track for success. Planning for success. The day of came and I woke up a half hour before my alarm went off (6:30am on a SATURDAY!) Refreshed, I had a small breakfast and reviewed my goals for the day... Half marathon in 1:45mins, running in my target zone of 120bpm, shouldn't be a problem. Put on my shorts, tied my shoes up tight, and headed out the door. Preparing for success.

Approximately 10km into the marathon, my heart rate monitor broke. The screen went blank, and started beeping out of control, which as anyone else can attest to became very annoying, very quickly. I tossed the watch aside which addressed my immediate problem, but it brought on a new reality... how I was going to deal with this unexpected hurdle? With all the training, the preparation, the first half in the bag... do I let it rattle my concentration, and lose focus, or do I accept the challenge, rise up to conquer it and face adversity head on.

Having kept a healthy pace and being in tune with my body, I decided to pickup up the pace slightly. Within a few minutes, I caught up to a pair of runners coasting at a pace slightly ahead of my own. After a quick point to my wrist and few words, I joined them on their run. At first I was worrying about endurance and my split times until I realized this was A) wasting energy and B) sabotoging my afternoon (not to mention all my training). With 3km to go, I hit the wall (better yet, the wall hit me.) I figured this might happen and was actually relieved it came much later than expected. My mantra became "one foot in front of the hour." Eventually I crossed the finish line. The damage? 1:38mins. How did this happen? 1:45 would have been a personal best (By 2 and a half minutes over training)... Discussing this with one of the other training coaches, we came to a realistic conclusion. Reviewing.

Too often we are tied to our programs, our plans, our zones, our times, our... everything but our bodies. While all the elements I just mentioned are vital keys to any succesful program, (without them I wouldn't have found myself feeling ready on race morning) however, when adversity strikes as it did, the aids I used to train myelf became irrelevant, and I was left with one remaining piece of the puzzle; my body. The decision was quick (mulling over it and feeling sorry for myself were far too easy options) and though I briefly questioned my decisions later in the race, it was truly the only was I was going to come out feeling great - giving it my all. Posting a personal best was already a goal, but I had managed to outdo myself just by listening to my body.

~ Luke Purm

Five Things I Know

1. I know that the public finds solace and hope with the extreme examples of themselves that are showcased in programs like "Biggest Loser", "Intervention", "Extreme Home Makeover" where people have seemingly insurmountable problems and are helped by others and themselves.

2. I know there are two types of people: those with self-control and those without. Hence the need for accountability (food logs, trainer-present in facility challenges) required to accompany the Nutrition Challenge.

3. Someone will complain who has it pretty good and someone who does not, won't. (I also know that Guy will call me on the "awkward wording" of this statement).

4. I know that people deal with guilt, low-self esteem, commitment issues, denial and dependencies, but we also like to have fun, be social, set and achieve goals, feel good and be in the moment. Working with the first can be difficult but the second makes it rewarding.

5. I know that if people trust you they will do everything in their power to do what you ask of them. People do not want to disappoint others or themselves. This is a big responsibility.

What truths do you know and how will you make decisions as a trainer, leader, human to make the lives of those you come across better with these truths in mind?

-Angela Tames

You know what I can't stand? Okay, yes, you're right - there are a lot of things. But seriously - why is it that when people decide to do something that's even remotely helpful to anyone or anything, that they are somehow then entitled to exemptions from the standards that all the rest of us have to live by?

Okay, perhaps I'm being vague - I'll spell out an example.

The commuter cyclist.

You know who I'm talking about. That guy on the single-speed cruiser, rolling along with a coffee in one of his hands and a gigantic pair of aviator glasses, thinking that he's pretty super-cool because he's confident enough in his sexual orientation that he can ride a bike with a straw basket in front.

Now, don't misunderstand me. The trappings don't make the individual, and I'm sure there are other coffee drinking, clamdigger-and-birkenstock wearing guys out there on cruisers that are pretty decent. BUT - more often than not, there's a self-righteous "I'm doing this for the environment and chicks dig me because of it" attitude that goes along with it...

But that's not actually it. No, I probably wouldn't even notice them if they didn't also roll down the middle of the street slowing traffic, arrogantly unaware of the line of traffic building behind them and only getting out of the way long enough to ignore a stop sign and ride up onto the sidewalk for a block.

If you're one of these yahoos, remember - once you're on the bike you're actually on a vehicle. Treat it as such.

• Wear a helmet
• Signal when you're turning
• Stay to the side of the lane - not to where you put yourself in jeopardy, but where traffic can actually get around you
• And for the love of God, STAY OFF THE SIDEWALK. It's outright dangerous.

And to those of you on mopeds that drive over the Lion's Gate Bridge on the sidewalk... I hope your engine conks out and you have to actually use those wee little peddles for the 30km drive ahead of you. If Karma has any sense of humour - I'll see you peddling furiously up Arbutus Hill sometime before the weather changes.

~Guy

that sparkle..

In 2003 my sister and I gave our dad and step mum some sessions for IF from a Christmas promotion, ‘sneaker stuffers’. They absolutely loved the sessions they received and began their journey with IF at the kits location.
My sister ended up starting up and found a current customer to train with. When her double couldn’t make it she would call me and ask if I wanted to go.
‘hell no’ I would reply, ‘I lift weights already’..having no idea what I was passing up. Finally I said I’d join her and I went early to the kits location to run on the treadmill before our hour. Within 10mins of the session I was getting crushed into the ground and by the time the hour was up I couldn’t remember my name let alone the different exercises I had been doing. Half a dozen bone crushing workouts in kits (by some classic trainers – james, guy, casey) my sister transferred over to west van and was a consistent 2-3x/week and loving it. I ended up trying a couple over there and was blown away by how bright, energetic and motivating it was. I’d be looking up at big carson with a sweaty smile and wondering more about this place.
It was in meeting Curtis that my interest peaked and after an amazing session I asked him, ‘how do I get your job?’
‘I’ve got an open hour, lets grab a coffee’, he said with a big smile.
Within 20min Curtis had written down what to do, what courses and certifications I needed etc.. That spark in his eye has stuck with me. He took the time to clearly lay it out.
Less than a year later I walked back into the facility and told him I was ready. I had learned what I needed to get myself in the door and secured an application. Within 4days I had gone through 2 interviews and was heading to my third. The following week I was in orientation and the week after that I was shadowing..I was wearing my team uniform and training customers before Halloween 2005..

Sure I had drive, desire and determination but I credit Curtis for that special spark and that energy that he provided when he used pure passion to share about the opportunity. It was my first of many challenges from team IF. I mean really, if you tell someone the steps on how to do something, isn’t it a challenge to take each step to meet them at the finish? Sound familiar?

We all have the choice and are able to if we use drive, desire and determination to empower and create that special spark for someone else let alone ourselves..

Figure out what’s holding you back.
Look beyond yourself.
Follow the systems.
Change yours and many others lives in the process..

Be that sparkle in the eye of motivation!

Please and Thank You

These simple two words go along way but how it is said is more meaningful

Mostly we use these two words when you are asking someone to do something or when you are receiving something. However, in any situation – how these two words are said is equally important.

These two words can be used in terms of politeness, thoughtfulness, helpfulness or on the negative side as derogative and sarcastic. Which do you think would be perceived better: “Please get that into me today” Or “Could you please get that into me today”
At a young age we are taught to say please and thank you and it is ingrained into us to use it. Young children when asking for something, there parents would say “what is the magic word” and you would always reply… pleeeeeassssee.

However, did we actually mean that? Or did we simply use that word sarcastically to get what we wanted. Did we truly understand the meaning of this word? Or because it is what society expects us to say.

Tough Times Never Last but Tough People Do

Have you ever asked what successful individuals all have in common? They have learned to develop perseverance in order to achieve their goals in life. Persons who develop perseverance do not give up even in the presence of difficulties. They just think that their determination and hard work will enable them to become successful at what ever endeavour they choose to go after. These are part of their self motivation to go on, towards the achievement of their goals.

One of the success secrets of these successful people is to develop perseverance. It is having the strong character to stand tough even in the face of adversity and chaos. Those who develop perseverance not only have strong character, they have the strong determination and will to make their goals and dreams into a reality.

Whenever you face a new challenge in your life, and you face it with great determination and a strong character, you learn something new. You usually find that you were able to do things that you thought were not possible. In some cases, you need to take the bull by the horns and not think, just do. If you think about things too much and over analyze everything in your life, you will be crippled by confusion and or doubt, and perhaps even fear. When you face a new challenge with the thought to develop perseverance and an eagerness to attain, chances are you will.

It is often simpler than you thought to accomplish something when you actually take steps in order to obtain that goal. When a person learns to develop perseverance as well as the determination to do well and be happy, they can achieve just about anything they set their minds to. Indeed, developing perseverance is the key to success.

"Success is not measured by what a person accomplishes, but by the opposition they have encountered, and by the courage with which they have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds" -Charles Lindberg

The Honeymoon Phase

The other morning I thought to myself how welcome this new season was. The day was cold, registering about seven degree but crisp, bright and without a cloud in the sky. Yes, Autumn was here. A couple of days later the clouds rolled in , the skies opened up, and a deluge of rain came crashing down leaving puddles that threatened small dogs. It still had that romantic feel however, I was transported mentally to a spot in front of the fireplace, a warm blanket across my lap, and a good book in hands, wonderful. The honeymoon phase.

We all recognize this in our own relationships. With our partners it is all fun and excitement, discovering favourites, similarities and differences. The best we can hope for when this phase inevitably ends is that a meaningful friendship based on common goals, similar personalities and the continued desire to spend time together. Eventually you become bound by not only these attributes, but possibly a marriage or children. You accept flaws, weaknesses idiosyncrasies as well as the quirks that make the person great. If the positive quirks outweigh the negative the relationship perseveres.

Let's think about how this applies to our training coach/customer relationship. In the beginning time is spent working on customer goals and sharing training experiences. The coach builds different, unique hours and a program that is interesting for both parties complete with time lines and destinations.

Hopefully a routine is established, personalities and training styles mesh and goals are made and met. Sometimes however this does not happen, clients are unhappy, become broken or their needs are not met and they cease to be customers. All the hard work to cultivate their business, convince them we are worthy of their hard earned dollars is wasted. The honeymoon is over.

Our job is twofold: Realize how to develop a style that is somewhat that of a chameleon, adjusting when necessary from delivering as "ass-kicking" hour to a "rehab" hour, meeting the needs of the customer at a higher level.

Secondly, if this isn't possible yet for us as training coaches or the issues go beyond the "meat and potatoes" of the hours then not allowing that customer to walk out the door unsatisfied but finding a solution beyond ourselves, even if that means passing the customer onto another coach our seeking advice outside of our comfort zones.

- Angela Tames