Putting In The Work

I came across this video on Facebook last weekend and was absolutely captivated. It’s Paula Abdul teaching Janet Jackson and her dancers some choreography in a 1986. Take a look. 

https://www.facebook.com/deejah818/videos/10153608043931768/?pnref=story

I just love how ordinary it is. Just, you know, two mega stars grinding it out in rehearsal. Doing the plain, repetitive, quiet, unexciting work that needs to happen before a hit video or incredible stage show can exist. No costumes, no microphones, no lights- just working on steps. I like this opportunity to be a fly on the wall, to catch a glimpse of the day to day reality that was obviously so important to their success. Having spent many an hour in the studio working on steps myself, I felt humbled to see first hand that Paula and Janet had to put in the work, too. 

I witnessed something similar to this while watching my husband complete his first ultra marathon- a 50 mile foot race on the Des Plaines River Trail- last weekend. His accomplishment was remarkable, but I think that how he did it was even more remarkable. He followed a simple formula while training and throughout the entire race: run for 5 minutes, walk for 1 minute, eat and drink a little while walking. He repeated this cycle over and over again for hour after hour, mile after mile, while training and throughout his entire race. He focused on his process, rather than getting caught up in the end result. By staying set on putting in the work, he reached his goal. 

I find it comforting to be reminded that when I have a big goal, I can’t and don’t have to achieve it all at once. The process, not the end result, is where I need to focus. It also helps me to see that putting in the work doesn’t have to be fun, exciting, or glamorous to be really, really awesome. I hope it helps you, too. 

Letting Up Is Not Giving Up

2011 Marathon

My husband is currently in his 3rd week of training for a marathon he is planning to run in early May. This will be his fourth marathon and is already putting up bigger numbers in weekly mileage than he has ever before. He is feeling great, primed and ready for the long arduous journey that is marathon training. 

Flashback to last month, about mid-December. He was struggling with a back tweak he acquired after sleeping on an uncomfortable bed while we were out of town. He was hardly running at all. He was working on gaining some comfort and movement one step at a time, but was still on the losing end of the battle. As we were talking one afternoon, he told me that although he was frustrated about the pain in his back, he was patient and hopeful about the future. He said, 

“I just know that when I get through this problem, I’ll be stronger.” 

And he has a lot of experience to prove it. He has faced many tweaks, injuries, set backs, and detours in his life and running career. But I have witnessed, over the years, that rather than getting more frustrated or anxious about his ability to run, he grows more patient and more peaceful, more invested in process of running than in the outcome. He knows that each injury, pain, or set back is an opportunity to grow, to become more in-tune with what his body needs, and to get better at doing what he loves to do. Each measure of patience he gives his body and his running pays dividends in his performance, comfort, and happiness as he pursues his goals. 

When someone comes to me with an injury, their current outlook is, quite understandably, dismal. They are usually feeling anxious, frustrated, and fearful that they have not been able and may not be able to do what is most precious to them in life. Their inability to move well is an inability to live well and the effects are often devastating. 

But time and time again, when these individuals take the time to regroup, reset, and dedicate themselves to really getting better, the results are astounding. I have seen many people sidelined by injury and fearing falling behind their peers, only to emerge stronger, more comfortable, more confident, and more capable after their recovery. They have taken time to understand their bodies and how to take care of them. They have taken time to rest (which is an often overlooked component of growth). And they have taken time to work on the fundamental movement qualities that are foundational to their success in their sport or activity.

They have embraced, or at least tolerated, the process of recovery and they are stronger for it.  

So, if you are currently working toward a goal or suffering a set back, please take heart. Take a moment to thank your body for this opportunity to rebuild. Invest in yourself and invest in the process of recovery. Know that letting up is not giving up. And know that when you get better, you will be stronger. 

2015 Training

We Are Not Broken

In a world with the blessings of science and technology that give us medications, braces, orthotics, and MRIs, we have gained tremendous ability to understand and help our bodies when they are in serious need of help. But there is another side to this blessing that motivates me to speak up and to toss away this technology whenever possible. 

It’s the belief that we are not inherently broken. We humans are built exactly and miraculously how we should be.  We are meant to stand upright, our feet are meant to pronate, and pain is not a sign of failure, but a sign of success. Furthermore, it’s the belief that when we do break down, our bodies are knowledgeable and well equipped to lead the healing process.

Although this belief may stand in opposition to many medical and therapeutic practices that are common today, the research is mounting to support it. We are finding that our brains and bodies have tremendous protective and corrective capabilities that, when respected, light the path toward healing and growth. Gary Gray, David Butler, Brian Mulligan, and Barefoot Ted have been onto this for years, and I have learned this lesson time and time again from the patients who have been gracious enough to let me try to help them.

We are powerful. We are meant to move. And we are capable of healing.

When we respect our body’s inherent wisdom, we can more easily step away from tests and treatments that don't work in harmony with our needs. If we make ourselves students of our bodies, and if we listen with humility, we may more readily reach our fullest potential.