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. 

The Question of the Apple vs. the Orchard

Apple by orangeacid is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

 orchard row by Muffet is licensed under  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

“Start slow, and when you think you are going slow enough, slow down.” - advice from Dean Karnazes to Kristin Armstrong before her first ultramarathon. 

My husband, who has his sights set on his first ultramarathon this fall, shared this quote with me this morning. It makes sense. When attempting to run an extremely long distance, you don’t want to run out of gas too soon. It is basic physiology summed up in a very practical manner. 

But even though this advice was specific to running, I couldn’t help thinking about how it applies to injury recovery, as well. It is completely natural to want to get as much out of your body as possible- to push yourself to return to your normal life, exercise, dance, or sports involvement as quickly as you can. It is common to focus on what Stephen Covey calls Production (P), or immediate results, despite feeling pain or having poor quality (limping or other forms of compensation) in your movement. But my question is, how much are we focusing on the now and how much are we focusing on the future? What are we doing to build Production’s wellspring, Production Capacity (PC)? 

Mr. Karnazes’ quote is clearly about PC. PC is ultimately what leads to production not just now, but long into the future. It’s not about how you fast you run at the beginning. It's about whether you are still running 50 miles from now. 

So, where are you in your injury recovery process or workout program? Are you looking to produce results now? Or are you looking to build the capacity to produce results in the future? Are looking to be able to perform today? Or are you looking to be able to perform next month, next year, or 10 years from now? Are you pushing your body to work despite pain? Or are you finding ways to move successfully without pain? 

Which do you want more? To produce results RIGHT NOW, despite any consequences that might follow? Or do you want a build a future that will bring you good results for a long time to come? 

Do you want to eat an apple? Or do you want to grow an orchard?

“To maintain the P/PC Balance, the balance between the golden egg (production) and the health and welfare of the goose (production capability) is often a difficult judgment call. But I suggest it is the very essence of effectiveness.”  -Stephen R. Covey

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