Three weeks and feeling groovy!

Finished up my third week of my 90 day challenge today as well as my second week (of 12) of half marathon training. Today, I pounded out a five mile run. Would love to tell you it was easy, but I cannot. I struggled through, but I made it.

21 days in and I am on track with all of my 90 day challenge goals. The biggest challenge of all is reading 10 pages per day of a self improvement book. I have opportunities, but am quick to push it off until later. I do not so that with my running, weights, diet, or business goals, however, this 10 page per day is proving to be taxing. I have not gone a day without doing it; I just have not made it the priority that it needs to be.

Will continue to plow forward!

Two weeks down--10 to go!

Finished up week two of my 12 week half marathon training today with a four mile run. This also marks week three into my 90 Day Challenge. I did something I have only down twice during my run; I wore music. Pandora and the Def Leppard channel pulled me through.

I was able to get all my scheduled runs in and cross training sessions for the week, however, my diet still needs an upgrade. With my wife traveling this week, it was me and the kids. I cooked dinner for us Sunday thru Wednesday night, but became lazy on Thursday and Friday and ordered out. Pizza on Friday was not a good choice! Skinny Fiber kept me in the game and I was able to drop 2.25 pounds since last Sunday.

Will try to do better this week. The game is won in the kitchen.

www.joinsbcdirect.com

84 days until my toughest race yet

Half marathon training begins today! In 12 weeks, I will traversing the hills of Wheeling W.Va during the Ogden Half Marathon. It seems so far away, however, I know how quickly the training schedule can move along.

Several have asked about my training schedule. I started suggesting the Hal Higdon plans to runners I coach before deciding to practice what I preach. Due to my high probability to injury, the four day run week schedule works for me. Here is the link to the one I am following:

http://www.halhigdon.com/training/51312/Half-Marathon-Novice-2-Training-Program

I started my 90 Day journey last week, and for the most part, it was a good one. We had horrible weather during the week that forced the kids school to close. Being a stay at home Dad hindered me more so than the weather. My diet could have been better along with my water consumption. WIll correct those this week.

Until next time.........

www.joinsbcdirect.com

90 days until my toughest race yet

As a young runner growing up in the Ohio Valley, the Big Boy Classic 20K was our Super Bowl. Every May, the top runners from around the world traveled to Wheeling, WV to battle the course the great Bill Rodgers tabbed "the toughest course anywhere". Don't believe, Bill? Check out that elevation chart! Like many in the "valley", I looked forward to the Big Boy. For an entry fee, we were given the opportunity to line up with the best in the USA and around the world. For a few years, the Big Boy was the national championship for that distance (12.4 miles). In either 1984 or 1985, I won the 20-24 age group. Been so long I cannot remember that special day.

In moved away from that area in 1989 and have grown accustomed to flat land running. In 1999, I returned to Wheeling to battle the beast, and after having to walk up 1/4 of Wheeling Hill, promised myself that I would never run it again. The years have come and gone. The event is now sponsored by Ogden and has been lengthened to a half marathon. Another half mile of pain! I always look up the results and recall the magic of that event, but have not considered going back on my word. Until now.

My wife and I trained for two half marathons in 2014. Somewhere during a conversation, I mentioned something about running the Ogden Half in 2015. I'm not sure what made me speak those words, however, since doing so, I have started looking forward to it. Of course, I have family there so that could be a reason to be excited. My mom and dad, brother and sister, aunts and cousins along with many of my closest friends all remain in that area. As great as it will be to see them, none of them are going to get me up 29th Hill (it's that BIG spike in the map. All 1.8 miles of it). I've got 90 days to get ready.

I have always joked that the biggest hill in Wilson, NC (my home) is whatever setting you place on a treadmill. Training here doesn't bode well for my Ogden success. I'm a savvy veteran so I will come up with a plan. Our 12 week training schedule begins on March 2, but I'm a 90 day guy. My life revolves around 90 day cycles. Today, I ran an easy three miles. Training has begun.

I plan to document my 90 day journey through this blog. I will blog at least once per week or whenever I feel the spirit to do so. During this 90 day cycle, I plan to knock off 20 pounds. I believe an 180 pound Tom will get up those hills much easier. At least that is the thinking. Please wish me well on my journey!

www.joinsbcdirect.com

Are you a dreamer?

When my wife, Natalie, and I got together, she would often ask me about my dreams. What did I want to do? Where did I want to go? Where did I see myself living later in life? All viable questions, however, none that I could answer. I recall telling her that my only dream was to educate my children. Honorable? Yes, but what about me?

Growing up with very little and without much of a foundation drove me to do better for my children. When it was time for me to choose a college, I had no one to turn to. No one to help me with the process. I simply chose the school that offered me the most scholarship money. Ended up being a poor decision and I was out of school by the end of the first semester and never to return.

Towards the end of 2013, something clicked inside of me. Suddenly, I started thinking about bettering myself; bettering my financial situation. I explored business opportunities with due diligence. This was so unlike me. When I found the perfect fit for me, I went to work. Success came quickly and is continuing now. What caused this?

I started to dream! I began thinking about the future and didn't like where I would be over the next 10-12 years. What did I want to do? I would love to travel more. Where did I want to go? Wherever I wanted because I have no restraints. Where do I see myself living later in life? I heard South Florida was nice!

www.coachtomgriffith.com

What is your gift?

I'm convinced everyone has a gift. What is yours? Are you an amazing athlete or unbelievable cook? Maybe you have musical talent or a sense of humor that leaves everyone in stitches? Whatever it is, embrace it.

Sadly, some go through life and never tap into their gift. Sadder yet, they may not even know what it is! What a travesty this would be. To have something wonderful inside of you and the world never receives it.

I feel blessed to have tapped into mine so early in my life. At the age of 19, someone asked me to coach them and I said "yes". 30 years later and the beat goes on. While moving some old boxes today, I was reminded of how fortunate I have been. Awards are nice, however, I'll take a handwritten note from a former athlete any day. Although I have "retired" from one aspect of coaching, the evolution into another form is still taking place.

I cannot imagine where I would be today had that day 30 years ago not taken place. It's scary just thinking about it!

Who said compassion was dead?

I attended a local running event last evening and came away with a great feeling. The event was an off road 5K run around the grounds of a produce farm. Sounds like an enjoyable little romp thru the fields, however, I can assure you that off road running is a higher scale of difficulty than street running. Trust me! I am betting there are a few folks with some sore lower legs today!

If you ever want to witness human compassion in motion, attend a running event. Of course, the gun goes off and it appears to be every person for themselves. Yes, there is a lot of that. In most events, there are trophies to be won and age group titles on the line. It can be very competitive! If you look through all of this, you will see another environment altogether.

This event was sponsored by the local YMCA. The Y is all about family & community so a lot of Mommies, Daddies and kids were in attendance; some running their first 5K and doing so together. In my eyes, it's hard to top hearing the encouragement of a parent running (or walking) along side their child. Always gives me a warm feeling inside!

Being a local running coach, I knew or recognized many of those that attended. There was a large group (6-8) of women that came in together and were in the back of the pack. They mostly walked, however, they were upbeat, chatty, and full of motivation for each other. As I watched them approach the finish, most of the focus appeared to be directed at one member of their group. Just a few feet from the end, they began to jog and crossed the line together. Hugs and high fives all around; heck I even joined in!

Of the 200+ runners/walkers in attendance, it would be interesting to know the percentage that may not have entered had they not been encouraged. What percentage of those that entered may not have finished without positive praise from others? I've been around long enough to know that those numbers may surprise you!

www.coachtomgriffith.com