Do as I say, not as I do

I LOVE my job.  I get to work with people who are seeking to better themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually every day.  I finish working sometimes and I STILL say out loud after years of this, "I can't believe I get paid to have this much fun!" I have the best clients. I love teaching.  I never get tired of talking about run form, alignment, and fascial adhesions. 

I tell people what to do.  Yup. I'm good at it too.  I don't mess around.  I'm bossy when I need to be, and I can sit in silence and listen when that is necessary.  I know what I'm talking about.  And when I don't know the answer, I will connect you with someone that does.

I recently started working with a new coach.  I am privileged to be taking direction from Grant Maughan www.dingofishexpress.com. Grant's resume is insane and he is too.  Grant works under amazing Lisa Smith-Bachen www.dreamchaserevents.com.  

I hear myself talking to Grant and I sound just like everyone that I work with.  I am rolling my eyes at myself.  Here are a few examples:

• This isn't really challenging me, I can go much harder you know;
• yes, I know, I just forgot to eat, I will remember tomorrow;
• I'm exhausted, I can't do this tomorrow;
• yes, my ankle hurts, but I can definitely run through it; and finally....
• I unintentionally had to change the workout and ended up going much harder than I was supposed to.

The list goes on.  The point of this is, that we all need guidance.  We cannot do this alone.

If you know me personally, you will know that I have not a shy bone in my body.  I love public speaking, presenting, and leading workshops.  But, I am an introvert at heart.  When push comes to shove, I need to be alone to recharge.  I despise small talk.  I seek real and intense conversations and interactions.  This means that most of the time I am exercising alone.  I am really ok with this.  I function under the delusion that I will push myself appropriately.  The key word there is "delusion." 

Grant and I have been working together for a short 3 weeks.  We are in a "build" cycle, and I am already looking forward to the upcoming recovery week.  I am spent.  I am healthy, but exhausted in ways I have not felt in a LONG time.  Even coaches need coaches.  I get scared, nervous, apprehensive just like everyone else.  When you have an expert to bounce your training off of, it is a game changer.

The need to be coached is a lesson in being human for me.  I thought I could do it myself.  Who knows, maybe I would've been fine, but I know I am better off with support.  And of course, this isn't just another dumb running story. We can choose to stubbornly do things alone.  But, life is much more fun, and less lonely, when we have someone that will stand, walk, run, and ride with us.  

I encourage you to do as I say, not as I do.  Engage as much support as you can on your endeavors. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRieo2qciwo

I want to live alone in the desert
I want to be like Georgia O'Keefe
I want to live on the Upper East Side
And never go down in the street

Splendid Isolation
I don't need no one
Splendid Isolation