The drive

Have you asked yourself if you have "the drive" yet? I'm sitting here watching this 90's movie about pro cycling and I am so captured by the main character. He is given the opportunity to coach a young new rider and he puts the kid through a few absolutely grueling tests. Then he requires the kid to commit to this "if I start coaching you, quitting is not an option". 

I hope my athletes feel as driven by me as this kid is by his coach. I truly believe in the power of high expectations, and standing by the committed athlete through thick and thin. I love the competition of sports. 

Who's in, ladies? 

Summer recipe

Hydration is a key element to your performance. But hydration isn't simply drinking water during your competition, it's a steady flow of liquids 24-48hours before your competition. Add a good night sleep and a light healthy meal the morning of your competition. 

This is a great recipe for successful play. You practiced your skills in order to compete, now make the most of your game day performance with proper hydration. 

So you want to be a d1 athlete honey?

Here's an excerpt from an email I sent recently that I feel really shows the depth of the simple question: "you think you want to play division 1 honey?"

"I've been thinking alot about you since dads last email sharing you couldn't make Mondays training session. I received the news with mixed emotions and it took me awhile to try and organize my thoughts. But I feel you deserve to know the truth. 

In the next 3 years you are going to be faced with a lot of choices if you want to be a division one athlete. You don't become one fall of your senior year-- you become onenow by your commitment now. One of the most important things for you to do is schedule time to train that's a combo of hockey games and hockey practices and intense workouts. Your life needs to be a commitment to these things if you are going to have a chance at D1. I'm not trying to take away the many high school experiences ahead, but think of your workouts as the "big rocks" and the softball games, sleepovers, homecoming dances, and vacations as the sand that fills in around those rocks. 

If you want a chance at d1, you are going to need to set your schedule and commit to it (games/practices/workouts)... The sacrifices come when you have to say "I can't make my softball game tonight because I've scheduled my training time then" is an example of commitment level. I value your desire to play but if field hockey is your future it's the daily choice and perspective you need. Training (on and off the field) will not just be something that conveniently fits into your life. It's going to take sacrifice. You will miss out on some things these next 3 years-- these extras like softball, friends, etc are extras because you're going to have to say "no" to alot of things to keep with your field hockey schedule. 

I believe you deserve to hear it now before its too late. I want to empower you with the understanding of what it's going to take to play division one so you can decide if that's the commitment you need to make. If this sounds like it totally sucks, then division 1 isn't for you, because this time commitment is a reality for every division 1 athlete. The d1 athlete thrives on the process of committing to something so incredible; the friends you make in training, and on the field, the sense of accomplishment along the way, keep you hungry for more... from a 5:30 mile to a clutch score... totally worth the blood, sweat, time and sacrifice. If that gets your adrenaline racing, read on. 

Here's an example of what I mean by commitment. Successful athletes make a schedule. Like your summer hockey schedule, you need a calendar to print and hang in your room. Your workouts don't just happen "when you have time". 

You have two evenings of hockey practices, one morning of team weight room, then you need another day for your "at home" workouts. Set a specific day and time each week and let's commit to that. If that's with me, let me know dates/times and I am right here working you toward your goal. 

Secondly, you'll need to add hockey games to your schedule and any practices for your travel team. 

Now that you have your calendar, hang it in your room. When someone asks you to play in a softball game, look to your schedule. You may have to say "no" to some things you'd really like to do. You may have to leave a sleepover early to make a workout. These are the daily decisions that are present. And this is the sacrifice every d1 athlete makes. 

Once we enter August you will need to make a fall calendar with hockey commitments and school, and your social life will fall in around these commitments. But the friends you develop along the way, the sense of accomplishment, and the strong woman you develop to be are all benefits of such a committed and driven lifestyle. 

So as we move into the summer it is now that you need to start making some decisions so I know what we are really working toward here. Are you a girl who is going to make her dreams a reality? Or a girl with big dreams? I have heard FANTASTIC things about your talent on the field and I see your heart and desire to be your best in the gym. I'm here to say YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. Truth is, now is when you start making that happen. 

Sorry for this ridiculously loooong email 

I want you to know I love you no matter what level you choose to play, but I want to know what we are really working toward here. And that's completely up to you-- you now know what it takes, and you have excellent team and individual coaches to help get you there. It's simply up to you to decide if we are commiting to Sarah the future Division 1 field hockey player, or... 

 Regards,

 Coach J

***"I did change the girls name and omit a few details to protect the anonymity of my athlete"

Game time!

So the season is upon many of my athletes. It's a chance to show off all the winter training, but beware of the struggles that are in your path. No matter how many swings you took last winter, you're still going to strike out this spring. No matter how many sprints you ran, you're still going to get beat. I'm not sharing this as a defeated message, but a reminder of reality. I am so proud of the work you put in to prepare, but there is new work to be done. You mentally have to keep working, and physically too. Keep your eyes on the goal of doing your very best and attach yourself to the messages your coaches are telling you. The game isn't won yet! Find joy in the new season and the new challenges which you will face. Rise up and accept, and win over these battles!

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. (James 1:2, 3 NLT)"

Get out there

Spring is just around the corner. For some of us that means spring sports, the start of race season, or simply time to think about getting into a bathing suit. Whichever has you on edge; the answer to your jitters is "Get out TODAY!"

For those, like me right now, just getting back into training, it's about setting a goal. And just getting active. (I haven't run in 17months due to a difficult pregnancy, 86 day hospitalization, and then being a new mommy to twins).

Yesterday was my turning point, the day I chose to stop making plans and just get out and run. I was extremely fearful to run after so many months off, plus learnjng how to push 40lbs in twins and stroller, and the weather still isn't "warm". Can you just hear the whining excuses...

Step 1: I made a goal, I signed up for a race April 17th. Figured I had to have a goal to push myself.
Step 2: I had to quit making workout plans for myself and just go out. I even forgot my hat and my ears were throbbing in the cold. But I just had to go immediately!
Step 3: day two is just as important as day one! So today I just went out in the same mindset, to get going and not worry about time or pace.

Reaults so far? I actually ran twice as far in less (pace) time as yesterday.

So the moral of this personal story is: no matter where you are in your journey; today is the day to just get out!

Player versus Coach

As a player isn't it so often that you think (and even say) things like "I can't believe he started her!" Or "she doesn't even try, why is she in the lineup?" If you took a moment to ponder you might recognize these thoughts are popping up either when you're not in the game, or when "she" made a gametime mistake that cost the team an important score.

But when YOU are the player who bobbled the ball, missed the free-throw, or shot on goal... you're thoughts might go to "the game as a whole was bad." "We (rather than I) made many mistakes..."

*As a player it's time to stop trying to take over the role of your coach. Let coach deal with coaching. You deal with keeping positive, mentally-verbally-and in action.
*You as a player are responsible for putting your all into the role coach feels YOU will best contribute. Take pride in that.
*Let this be an EMPOWERING day, and stop trying to be someone you are not. You are player. Coach is coach.

When the game is on the line, you GET to play the game while coach has to consider every decision.
*So GO PLAY; fulfill you're role as a player by being...
- active in the game
- encouraging to your teammates
- constantly earning a spot in the lineup

Take pride today--you get to be an ATHLETE.

Problems

I read a great passage today it said "Give up the illusion that you deserve a problem-free life... This is a false hope!" While it may seem harsh I absolutely love this message. I struggle with the struggles in life. And I can truly relate this message to sports, how I wished once I was on a roll-that I would just continue to produce stellar results. But the reality is we all face highs and lows, wins and losses.

So recognize the battle will not be won forever, so each day is a new battle a new fight. So take yesterday as it was, without bearing on today, and go win today's battles.

Attitude is everything

My teammates in college used to say this all the time: "Fake it 'til you make it". What does this mean though?
Until you've got yourself put together, act like you already have the talent. It's a confidence on the field and off-- being sure of yourself (not bragging), but an air of confidence.

Bring out the old cliches and really live them:
"When you believe it you can achieve it." "Your attitude is youre altitude."
There is actually truth to these; the people who believe they can do something are most often the ones who can.

So if you want to succeed, you're going to have to set some goals, and confidently pursue these goals. Walk proudly my friends.

Trust your coaches

Today I step back and think to my time as an athlete. I remember how my coaches would plan practice. I hated running and conditioning the most, but I had to do it; like going through my daily living... There are many things I absolutely hate, but they are a small potion of my day.

In reflection I can see how the running and conditioning segments of practice pushed me to becoming the fastest girl on my college team. Wow--what an honor that was. But I would not have earned this reward if I ignored my coaches orders. See, they had a specific goal in mind. And only my coaches knew the best route. I had to trust then like I trust God, daily. He's my head coach, and he has so much in store; I can even imagine, not in my wildest dreams, what my life will turn out like. But I know it's going to be exciting, blessrd, and very rewarding.

So trust your coach. He knows the way; just hold on for this grand adventure.

Preparation

Isn't it funny how there is such a parallel between sports training and life? I am the girl who wants a full map of what's going to happen. But even when I set a goal (sports or life) two things are clearly apparent: 1) I can only put 100% into today doing everything possible to prepare and 2) my coach/god has unimaginable glories in store that I haven't even considered.

Athletes: your coaches can see potential in you that you can't even imagine. We see you going beyond your wildest dreams if you will just apply yourself 100% to our training plan for you. I as a coach get so frustrated when a girl's talent is cut short, because they only can see one way--when I see grander glories... Isn't this how God feels when we don't follow his "practice plan?"

Step back and think about it.




"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)"

Practice needs to be part of your training

Why do we train for a competition? Essentially it's those daily "deposits", banking in good throws, shots, or pace times. While its creating muscle memory, moreso daily practice is installing confidence in what we do- so we may perform our best (with confidence) on the day it matters. I see how this so deeply matches faith; I read this today and see a connection between practice and trust to reach our goals.

Purpose driven living

Having a goal is our main training tool as athletes. But finding purpose in our goal is essential to setting the "right goal", and making connects to the work that will help us reach that goal.

As you enter the new year I encourage you to read into this Bible verse as you seek your purpose in 2013.... "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope AND A FUTURE.'"

I am drawn to the last portion of that passage... If I already know I will win, well I am more inclined to continue working toward my goal.
What would your training look like if you knew you were going to win? I'm telling you now--you will win if you set the right goal, and train accordingly.





*Need help developing a goal or training plan? I'm here to help if you'll ask...