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...

Löfte: Commitment

Commitment:

How important is Commitment? You may answer "important", as the common-sense answer. But if you think about this questions deeply, it's more than a simple one word answer. Commitment is everything; it is action - from the efforts you put into practice, to the schedule you keep to balance team and personal training, to the skills you develop to help push you to that next level.

So as you enter 2013, I dare you to analyze your "commitment" by answering these questions:
1.) How does my schedule show commitment? 5 days or more each week
2.) How do I "look" during practice? am I fully involved
3.) What am I doing outside of practice to improve? personal training

Maximize your summer

Using the summer months to maximize your game is a tri-fold approach.

Part 1: Athletes who are serious ahould be using this time to train, for example I host morning boot-camp style workouts with exercises focused specifically to the athlete/sport. This begins with essential cardio to build stamina to then transition into strength, speed, and agility training. It's all about power, not so much skills in the summer.

Part 2: Using the summer to get your name and skill set to prospective coaches is an essential element to this season. Most college coaches like you, don't have school so it's heavy-recruitment time. It is essential to send your summer competition schedule to coaches NOW (May) so you can get on their travel list.

It is helpful to have a video to se d along with your summer games to entice coaches to come recruit you.

Part 3: Competing in the summer is essential because during your high school season these prospective college coaches were also competing. So they likely didn't get to see you play. **Make sure if you are playing in a recruitment tournament that you not only send your game schedule to coaches you like, but each of these tournaments typically has a list of "attending coaches". Scan ths list, even look into some of the schools you have never heard of and email and additional coaches your cover letter, video, resume, and game schedule.


Good Luck, ***make it your goal to get the most out of THIS summer.

The right way to train for spring athletes: Part 5 of 5... "playoffs"

Congratulations! You have proven yourself in competiion to be THE ONE who knows how to win. This is the most important quality to enter post-season play with. Do you know how to win?

Winners:
1. Enter competition with clear goals that contribute to the "win". In example: I will be the first girl around turn one, or I will make contact during each at bat.
2. Are mentally tough. I had a quote I posted in my college bedroom "never consider the possibility of failure"... Winners replace any even remotely negative thought with a positive one.
3. Stay competitive throughout the entire season. This is one of the biggest challenges to young athletes... It's all about continuing to put forth your best effort both mentally and physically in practice, pregame, and gametime. Winners thrive by pullin from within to make the most of every day.

Good luck in offseason play!
Continue with your current nutrition plan,mad you start to fatigue you may want to step back and consider if you have enough energy mid-to-late game... If you do not try FRS Energy Chews: they are a GREAT, Quick, Energy boost.

The right way to train for spring athletes: Part 4 of 5... "end of regular season"

So you have about a week remaining in your regular season. If you don't have a chance for post-season play, enjoy your last few days with your teammates and take pride in your team and the relationships you have built this season. After all, isn't it more than just the love of the game, but the people we share it with that brings us back each season?

If you foresee a playoff opportunity your mind is going to be your biggest challenge. You might start to feel drained of your sport, or stressed about your current or upcoming performance. Use this week to work on your mental game with these suggestions:

1. Have fun EVERY DAY. Enjoy your teammates and practice/competition. It's important to take the end of your season seriously, but it's essential to relax and enjoy the game too. So try to balance between competition and making a few goofy memories at the same time.
2. Realize you're "Too Blessed to be Stressed!" This translates to your game by realizing you are not perfect; whether you are striving for a PR or perfect game--recognize that passion is great but perfection is not the measure of your worth. Too much focus on perfection is only going to stress you out and lower your performance.
3. And lastly, keep up the hard work... though you shouldn't demand perfection, demanding a solid effort each day is your responsibility. And it feels good at the end of the day that you put forth your best.

****now is the time your nutrition regimine should be propelling you through the end-of-season fatigue!!


Good Luck as you finish out the rest of your "regularly scheduled season"