Category Archives: quality of life
I Love My Job
Yesterday was the inaugural OctoHalf Half Marathon. It was organized, timed, and run by the best in business, by far in my opinion, ACT Sports Management. A group of people that understand what runners want to see at a race, and who care about every runner from first to the person who crosses the finish line last.
I really try to do the same with my coaching business. That’s my goal, anyway. I am also hoping that’s why ACT Sports Management asked me to be the “official coach” of the race. I offered two types of training for the race, online and a group “learn the course while we train” method. I ended up coaching 6 awesome runners.
When I first started coaching, my first group class was through the North Penn School District’s Community Education Program. I had about 25-30 people sign up for a beginner’s running class that took people who have never run before and taught them to run enough to finish a 5K in 8 weeks. I am still coaching several runners from that first class. Some of them are doing half and full marathons now. That was only 4 1/2 years ago. One did a half marathon the year after she came through the beginners class.
The first class ended with a 5K, which 10-15 of the class members had the time to run. All of them finished that race that day, many took home age group awards for placing first through third in their age group. What hit me that day was two things. As a coach I never got to meet their families while we trained. They were the supporting cast for their desire to get healthier and finish a 5K. But that day I got to see how proud their spouses and children were of their accomplishments. That really made me happy. I never forgot how that felt. I said to myself that day “that is why I do this.” The second thing was seeing how much finishing that class, that 5K, meant to each one of those runners. Words cannot describe the feelings I had that day as each of my running “students” crossed that finish line. It cemented the decision I made to start up this coaching business.
To me, a hug or a warm handshake makes me feel like someone cares about me. It feels better than anyone handing me a trophy for crossing a finish line first. It sends a chill through my body that says “I really appreciate you”. For my personality a hug works better than anything spoken, written, or better than any drug could possibly make me feel. I remember hugs or meaningful handshakes forever. I remember from that first class, that I got dozens of them. From my students to their spouses. The feeling that every one of them appreciated my role in their accomplishment sent me home that day feeling like I was in the clouds.
Yesterday it was a half marathon instead of a 5K. It, however, ended with the same feeling of euphoria. Watching families and friends of the runners I trained for this race and seeing how happy they were sent chills through my body that I will never forget. It is why I do this. Sometimes I never see or hear from one of my runners again. I understand. I did my job and while I get attached to each and every one of them I can’t take them all home with me. I do see and hear from most of them and continue to coach a lot of the original gang of runners. My circle of runners is growing. And I love every one of them.
I love my job!
Want To Change Your Life?
Are you happy with your current condition of health? Do you worry about not being able to take care of yourself or your family because you might develop a chronic illness? Did you know that daily living activities are limited for at least 25% of those diagnosed with a chronic health condition?
Chronic health conditions also account for over 70% of deaths in the United States. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause. Associated many times with cardiovascular disease is obesity and being overweight. This causes other conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, osteoarthritis, some types of cancer, shortened life expectancy, and a decreased quality of life.
Why are more Americans overweight or suffering from some chronic illness? Advanced technology is a leading cause. Addiction to TV programs, video games, and leisure time on computers cause us to sit idle more than ever. Our posture suffers from sitting so much causing low back pain. 80% of us suffer from low back pain in our lives.
It’s also important to stay healthy even if you are already in top shape.
So how do we reverse this trend and get or stay healthy? Nutrition is important. Getting outside and exercising is also critical.
Running is one of the best and easiest means of using the outdoors to get or stay fit. Running, easy? Sure if you learn how to correctly. Allow me to show you how!
OK, you already work hard at fitness and you already run. Has anyone ever showed you the best way to train? Do you sign up for races so that you have a goal and continue to run? Would you like to get better at running? Would you be happier if you did get better at running? If you are like me, when I’m happy it spreads to everyone around me or anyone who comes in contact with me. I’m much more positive, feel better, have more energy, and people talk to me back in a more positive manner.
Running can change your life! That’s not an exaggeration. Ask anyone who had the courage to make the move and start running. I’ve lost count on how many people have told me that running changed their life. It lowered their blood pressure, made them happy again, made them more self confident, raised their self-esteem, made their relationships better, and so many other positive comments.
Then I hear the excuses. I can’t run because my knees are bad or I don’t want to ruin my knees. Running correctly helps your knees! Fact! Or the big one, I don’t have time! Wow, I cringe at that one the most. Yes, we lead busy lives. You have 4 small children and your spouse is always working late or out of town on business, or I don’t have a spouse so who will watch my children? I work long hours then have to go home and feed everyone and it’s dark out when I possibly could work out.
To this I just say, “Where are your priorities?” Is your life not important? Would your family suffer from you being chronically ill, disabled, or worse, gone? Have you ever flown on an airplane somewhere? I’m betting a vast majority of you have. When you start to pull away from the gate, the flight attendant goes through their safety speech as required by law. What do they say? One thing is , “if we suddenly lose air pressure the oxygen masks will automatically drop. If you are travelling with small children, put your mask on first, then assist them.” Why? Because if you pass out you can’t help them! The same goes with the rest of your life, not just in an airplane. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you help someone else?
Learn how to run the right way! Whether it’s to start running and get healthy, improve your running, or to become really good at running. I’m your man! I can change your life! You don’t even have to live by me. I can help you no matter where you live in the world! Ask anyone who has worked with me before. Your life should be the highest priority! Improve the quality of your life. Smile again! Feel great about yourself! Contact me! runyourbestrace@gmail.com
Run Your Best Race ™ 