What you think affects how you feel and perform. Training your brain is as important as training your body
The Rock & Roll Half Marathon is approximately eleven weeks away. We are half way through our training program. Most of you have been training hard and consistently, looking great and right on target in your training. Those of you who have been inconsistent in your training there is plenty of time to get your training on track. You will nail the half marathon. I believe in you. But what I believe is not relevant. Ultimately, it is what you believe that will count.
We as Divas are moving into the part of our training were mental preparation becomes essential. The Rock & Roll Half Marathon is the destination but our training program is the journey that will lead us across the finish line. Studies have proven that mental training will not only enhance performance and improve productivity but also add to your enjoyment
I have worked in the athletic field both as an athlete and as a coach for over 30 years. I have worked with numerous coaches and coached hundreds of athletes. I am thoroughly convinced that 50 % of our physical performance is mental. I believe in the power of positive reinforcement and visualization. I also believe that mental preparation goes hand-in-hand with setting goals and hard work. You have to determine what your personal and training keys are to your success as you continue to prepare for the Rock & Roll.
I would recommend that a key part of that success preparation is you visualizing succeeding. Visualize yourself at the starting line with 15,000 other athletes. This is the race that you and all your fellow Divas have worked hard for all season. You are excited, you have trained, you have a game plan and you are ready. The gun goes off and you move forward. You want to go as fast as you can as the other participants move pass you. But you hold steady because you know to succeed you must follow your game plan. Visualize walking or running the course, you can feel the warmth of the morning sun and a cool breeze. You hear the music of the bands and it excites you. As you move pass the mile markers you see and hear the fans along the course cheering for you. As you near the finish line you see a mass of red shirts. As you cross the finish line you hear the cheers of the Divas and you are embraced by the warmth of these women within whom you have found great support. WOW! What a season.
You can learn how to use your mind constructively. You can learn how to stay focused. You can learn to deal with adversity. You can stay motivated during difficult times and avoid fatal distractions. Building mental muscle, like building physical muscle, requires time and effort. It is a process. AND it can be achieved. But first you must make a commitment. And I am confident you will.
Note: Go to the San Jose Rock & Roll Half Marathon website and click on 2006 Highlight Video.
IN SEEKING BALANCE DIVAS COME IN MANY FORMS
Red Power Divas is an organization in which you will find a network of women where everyone is welcomed and everyone is supported. This is a group where the emphasis is about "Seeking Balance" in our lives. You, the individual are the center of that balance. Our training program and race events are designed so the individual is free to participate as much or as little as they can fit into their lives without guilt. In seeing balance Divas come in many forms. (1) Divas who make it a priority to train with the team two or more times a week and participate in the Diva race events (2) Divas who train on their own and train with the team and participate in Diva race events when they can fit it into their schedule (3) Divas because of life events and other priorities do not participate in team training or events but receive Diva emails and support the group. Divas come in many different forms. But we are all in this sisterhood together and empowered and honored by the support we receive.
DIVAS FINAL TEAM EVENT OF THE SEASON
The San Jose Rock & Roll is the final Diva Team race of the season. The goal is to have full Diva participation. For those who have been training, I know that there are some of you who have doubts about whether you can even do a half marathon. Others want to try but have doubts about whether you can finish within the four hour (240 minutes) time limit. And we have Divas because of physical limitations will not be able to complete a half marathon this season. There is a place for all Divas in the Rock & Roll. There are many options for you to explore. The Divas who have been training will complete the half marathon. Those who feel they will not finish within the time limit; you can start an hour before the official start of the Rock & Roll. You will not have an official chip time. If you are not cable of doing a half marathon, you can walk a 10K or a 5K route on the half marathon course. You will not have an official chip time. Or if you cannot participate in the walking or running part of the race at all you can be a Diva volunteer. I would love to have all Diva’s make a commitment to participate in the Rock & Roll if it has a role in your seeking balance.
For those walking or running, remember you don’t have to run or walk very far or fast to out run or out walk people who do not participate. It’s the Tortoise and the Hare story all over again. Slow and steady always win the race. When you participate with all the other Divas as a TEAM (walker, runner or volunteer) in the San Jose Rock & Roll Half Marathon and hear the cheering of your entire fellow Divas you will have a feeling of great accomplishment and you will be a winner.
DIVAS WHO I HAVE LISTED AS REGISTERED FOR THE ROCK & ROLL
(If you have registered and you are not on this list or I have you listed and you have not registered, please contact me.)
| Jody C Rhonda H Debra R Ann H Laura M Mary V Melanie R Sandra E Kristi P Debbie M Virginia M Suzana G Lisa S Yen G Denise L Ericka C Michele G Heather S Michelle C Sandra W | Judith H Leo H Charlotte C Emily B Deborah R Mary R Tina M Elaine V Susan B Lindy B Cammie C Ginger T Diana O Anita O Carrie I Amanda V Cheri F Geri F Carolyn N Sandra W | |
SATURDAY SEMINAR – Diva Sabrina F will be discussing tips on creative uses of the Diva Google Group and the Diva Blog.
FREE CONSULTATION:
Diva Melody Lynd, MD, Plastic Surgeon – last Saturday’s excellent speaker generously offered a free consultation to all Divas. When you call to make an appointment for a consultation indicate that you are a Red Power Diva.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
During our training never be afraid to take a day off. If your legs are feeling unduly stiff and sore, rest; if you are at all sluggish, rest; in fact, if in doubt, rest. Listen to your body.
CONGRATULATION - YVETTE K
San Francisco Half Marathon – A quote that has been attributed to the American author Mark Twain “the coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco.” The participants in the SF Half Marathon would fully agree. In foggy, damp and very cold weather thousands of runners participated . Among those runners was one mighty Diva, Yvette K. In spite of the weather Yvette ran a great race. She finished in 3 hours and 30 minutes. Congratulations you Rock!
NEXT DIVA RACE EVENT
The next Diva Team event is the 10K on the Bay. (We are substituting this event
Date: August 25, 2007 (Saturday)
Location: 4901 Breakwater Drive, Hayward, CA
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
Cost: $25
Course Description: Flat, on gravel/paced dirt, and along the beautiful Hayward shoreline.
Website: www.10konthebay.org
The 10K on the Bay appears to be a better organized event and it is a beautiful course. This event is the same date as the IWalk. If you have registered for the IWalk, please let me know and you will be reimbursed.
I AM SEEKING BALANCE
I will not be in attendance at the Saturday, August 4, 2007 training. I am founder and Chair of the Board of Building Peaceful Families. Building Peaceful Families is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families develop and maintain violence-free homes by training key community members in violence prevention and hosting events to celebrate the value of responsible and positive parenting.
We offer a range of violence prevention and education programs to assist nearly 5000 educators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement personnel, religious and community leaders, employers and parents in recognizing and responding appropriately to family violence. A key program initiative includes our annual Fatherhood Conference set for August 4, 2007. I chair the committee for this conference and we anticipated there will be over 600 in attendance. As much as I love and would like to be with the Red Power Divas Saturday training, I am committed to the conference.
RUNNERS/WALKERS IDENTIFICATION
We have mentioned over the last three weeks for your safety, the importance of carrying identification when training. On August 1, 2007, I was rushing from work to go out to do my training run and forgot my dog tag training ID. I was running down a sidewalk in a residential area, when three small children abruptly rode their tricycles into my path. In an attempt to avoid crashing into and hurting them, I jumped over them (yes I can still jump) and crashed very hard. Children 1 - Diva Sharon 0. The kids were a little frightened but otherwise fine. I have a number of bruises, scratches and a fat lip. (I have been telling everyone that the fat lip is the result of a night of passion). Bottom line is that it could have been much worse and I had no identification. Accidents do happen. Recommendation: Please purchase training identification and of course wear it. Shop around for the best deal.
Have a Great Weekend
Sharon
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