Alex Karras, professional athlete and actor has been quoted tohave once said, “Toughness is in
the soul and spirit, not in muscles.” And
after having completed the first 6 weeks of my 2012/13 dry land training, I
have to agree.
This is not to say that my muscles aren’t growing, and that I
can’t feel myself getting stronger and stronger – but those tough fibers
weren’t always the only ones pushing me through one-more-set.
On that note, I would like to invite you to join me in taking a
deep breath in … followed by an extended exhale …. (pause) … Feel
better? Good, me too.
This current week is what our fearless leaders like to call “Rest Week” and
while the overall intensity decreases and we don’t train as an entire team unit,
I was allocated: two separate sessions of stairs, extra stability & core
exercises as well as some all-important PNF stretching …. See, I told you the
name was a touch deceiving.
But in all honesty, I welcome these sessions; I embrace the
moments to focus on the smaller details. It’s a chance to take a step back, to
look at the bigger picture and pay much closer attention to what my body and
mind are telling me. And if I’m not being too stubborn, I may even listen.
moments to focus on the smaller details. It’s a chance to take a step back, to
look at the bigger picture and pay much closer attention to what my body and
mind are telling me. And if I’m not being too stubborn, I may even listen.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how much of a role mymindset controls my performance – both on and off the ice. This isn’t a new
concept; I have been pursuing athletic excellence in one sport or another for
more than a decade, but it pushes it’s way to the surface with more force as my life often flexes it’s
challenging muscles at the most random times.
These challenging moments are like waves for me. With some level of familiarity, the workouts
and schedules get tougher, the to-dos and situations get heavier and the overarching
pressures get bigger. But I recognize them, and make sure to acknowledge them
for what they are: parts of the process – and thankfully, as waves tend to, they
ebb and flow.
and schedules get tougher, the to-dos and situations get heavier and the overarching
pressures get bigger. But I recognize them, and make sure to acknowledge them
for what they are: parts of the process – and thankfully, as waves tend to, they
ebb and flow.
A recent connection on Twitter has connected me with Dr.
Paul Dennis (@dennissportpsy). He and I have been silently trading
thoughts on the challenges of elite sport in life and enjoy many of the same
motivational quotes. Recently, he posted a link
to an article he wrote in February of this year. And while you might not instantly
draw parallels between a clearly team-based sport like Hockey and an
individualized sport like Skeleton – these ice sports share more than some initially see.
Paul Dennis (@dennissportpsy). He and I have been silently trading
thoughts on the challenges of elite sport in life and enjoy many of the same
motivational quotes. Recently, he posted a link
to an article he wrote in February of this year. And while you might not instantly
draw parallels between a clearly team-based sport like Hockey and an
individualized sport like Skeleton – these ice sports share more than some initially see.
Sure, when I put my sled on the ice, my coach steps away from the block and
that 30 second clock taunts me to get moving as fast as possible … in that moment, I am on my own. And certainly no one is there with me physically ON the sled while I’m
traveling face-first at 140km/h BUT the rest of the time I am with my team: Team
Canada. We train with our coaches, support systems and teammates daily; we push
one another through the tough times, we laugh through the good. We talk about
tracks and discuss lines in season; we compare equipment and theories and even
help one another manage our out-of-sport lives.
We share who we are with one another, we learn together and we
grow together – and in the end we succeed together.
And for this, I am truly thankful. Because
while it may not be a fact that gets acknowledged every minute of the day –
particularly in a sport that pits us directly against one another – these
relationships, these tests, these life changing experiences are all a huge part
of why I truly love what I do.
grow together – and in the end we succeed together.
And for this, I am truly thankful. Because
while it may not be a fact that gets acknowledged every minute of the day –
particularly in a sport that pits us directly against one another – these
relationships, these tests, these life changing experiences are all a huge part
of why I truly love what I do.
Your goals aren’t achieved with perfection; you must instead, “Revel
in the imperfections. Revel in the
training; in your experiences. In the friendships you make. The relationships
you build. With others. With yourself. In the strength you possess. Your
will. Your commitment. Learn from your failures. For there will be many. […] Perfectionism
will not lead to high-performance. High performance comes from embracing
your fears. From confronting failure. From be-friending your imperfection. “ – Stuart
McMillan
in the imperfections. Revel in the
training; in your experiences. In the friendships you make. The relationships
you build. With others. With yourself. In the strength you possess. Your
will. Your commitment. Learn from your failures. For there will be many. […] Perfectionism
will not lead to high-performance. High performance comes from embracing
your fears. From confronting failure. From be-friending your imperfection. “ – Stuart
McMillan
It’s not about being perfect, it’s about sharpening your edge.
