..Have you ever tried to run a 40 yard dash or a 100 meter sprint?
Most of the people who compete at those distances use starting blocks. The point of the blocks are to anchor your feet in a way that gives you something to brace against, providing you a stable point to stride forward with when the gun goes off. I ran track back in high school and I always thought they were uncomfortable. I ran at a decent clip, even competed in the state championships a few times, but I never liked blocks... You'd have to scrunch up into this little space and prop yourself forward on your skinny little fingers, just hoping that your shorts were long enough to cover those weird angles of your teenage body as you had to raise your hind-end in the air before the commands and then the gun. If you knew what you were doing you'd be pointed in the correct direction based on your lane assignment and holding your breath, ready to push off. If you could get over the mental fear of bodily exposure with any sort of confidence that you could later compete in the ensuing moments, you still had the physical tension and potential build up of your own weight expecting to be released in an unknown moment. Best case scenario? You burst onto the scene and lead wire to wire. Worst case? A false start and automatic disqualification or maybe even a trip and a fall. Most races, you're no where near the back of the pack, but you're worried at the start. It's almost always a bit painful. I'd say that's where we are at today. We are just starting this race. We are scrunched up and vulnerable with a lot of tension and uncertainty. As we all hold our breath and anticipate the next time we get to move forward, let us make sure of a couple of things: --Have a good anchor. Every great runner has somebody to stand on their blocks. Ask a teammate to step up to the line with you during this time. Reach out to those around you and make sure you have the amount of support you're going to need during whatever you're going through. And be sure to return the favor. --Keep your head down and be pointed in the right direction. Even at 100 meters, it's hard to see the finish line. If you look around or don't settle into your correct position, you've already lost. We are all gathering ourselves right now and the race is going to go on with or without us. You don't need to see the end, you just have to have an idea of what to move towards. Know what you're trying to accomplish right now and hone in on what that's going to take to get there. You've done enough to get into the event, now let's show what you can do! --Stay in your lane. You are built for this. This isn't your first race. It might be your longest, or in front of your biggest crowd, or one of the events that's starting to wear you down--but you've been through hard stretches before, and you've always finished. Don't step out right now into an area where you could possibly get run over as well. Worry, panic, and fear will only slow you down at this point. You were given this assignment and you will see the finish line soon. --Pick your pace. Starting too fast will get you disqualified or burn you out. Too slow and you're left behind and in big trouble. Make wise and definitive movements as you navigate the path that's been laid out in front of you. Remember to email me or leave me a comment regarding your race right now. Send your feedback to [email protected] I'm rooting for you!
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DJ JohnstonDaddy. Leader. Visionary. Archives
March 2020
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