TGIF: Pat Reynolds

TGIF:

This Goal Is Finished

Good morning achievers! Hope you've had a wonderful week!

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If you are inspired by reading our achiever interview below and want to get on the achievement bandwagon, sign up for our Mini Triathlon Training Program and complete a Triathlon just like Pat before the summer is over!

Today's This Goal Is Finished achiever is Pat Reynolds.  Like many of us, Pat wanted to do something extraordinary for her birthday.  Although she had never ridden a bike before and never been swimming, she decided that she could train for and finish a triathlon! Read the rest of her story below to be inspired by what happens when you BELIEVE you can ACHIEVE!

The Achiever

From L: Chris, Michael, Pat, and Brian Reynolds

My name is Pat Reynolds and I live in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a wife of 31 years, mother of two sons and a soon-to-be daughter-in-law. I love football and baseball, a home filled with family, and a healthy lifestyle to enjoy it all.

The Goal

My primary goal was to complete a sprint triathlon with a distance of 400 yards swimming, 12 mile biking, and 5K running. My secondary goal was not to be last!

Why This Goal?

I chose this goal in honor of my 50th birthday. I had never looked at myself as much of an athlete when I was younger. I often felt uncoordinated and to compete in something like this was terrifying. I felt that way even though I have two boys who were quite athletic throughout high school.

I really wanted to overcome my fears and do something that I never thought was possible. I literally had no previous experience with biking or swimming, but I wanted to challenge myself.

The First Step

The very first step for me was to actually sign up for the race. Once you make that commitment and register, it’s very hard to back out.

Also, getting up the courage to tell other people was a big step because, to be honest, I didn’t know if I could finish a triathlon. Again, I felt that I had a commitment I couldn’t get out of. Once that mental shift happened, it changed everything for me. Since backing out wasn’t not an option, going forward was the only way.

Challenges

Challenges? Yes, there were a few! My first challenge was not knowing how to ride a bike or how to swim. I must have fell off my bike 100 times. I had to start in a parking lot. A few weeks in to the training, my legs were covered in bruises. And the first time riding my bike on a proper road was terrifying.

Learning to swim the freestyle stroke was a bit overwhelming for me. So I learned to swim the breaststroke which was a bit easier and allowed me to keep my line of sight when swimming in a pool or lake. At first, I barely had the stamina to make it from one end of the pool to the next.

It took me one month to learn how to ride a bike and nine months to train for the race. Consistency was so key for me. Even though I wasn’t going far or going fast, I had to keep plugging away to get better and better.

Staying Motivated

Once I set the goal, I didn’t really get off track. Of course, having a trainer really helped hold me accountable. But to be honest, I found myself really enjoying the experience! I began to make it a priority and schedule my life around my workouts. I simply looked forward to training and that really kept me going.

Also, I had so far to go in terms of building up endurance and basic skills, that I didn’t really have time to goof off or skip a few days of training.

My goals was to go slow and steady and just finish the race. Baby steps and consistency were really important for me. This also gave me small accomplishments to feel good about as I progressed.

Who Helped?

The guy that talked me into doing a triathlon cuts my hair. He’s really into triathlons, so he got me all excited about it. Then, every month I saw him and felt accountable to him. This was really helpful and kept me on track and motivated.

My personal trainer was integral in monitoring my progress and pushing me to go further each week.

My husband and sons were very supportive. My youngest son, Chris, would come out with me when I was first learning to ride a bike to encourage me.

All of my girlfriends were great cheerleaders. It was so scary to tell people outside of my immediate family about my goal. But what I found was endless support and encouragement. They were all so happy for me and helped me stay focused. In fact, one of my girlfriends actually joined me in the race which was great fun!

I was also really inspired by the other competitors. Some of the younger guys that got started ahead of me were already finishing the race as I was just getting started on the bike. As we passed each other, they would cheer me on and tell me how good I was doing. Everyone wants others to succeed and it’s a great environment to be in.

TGIF - Celebrate!

As I approached the finish line, my son Chris ran the last 50 meters with me. He was really excited and it gave me a burst of energy to finish strong.

One of my girlfriends is a school teacher and she had her class make a big banner that they held up at the finish line and I got to run through it! Finishing the race, and having my friends and family with me, was the best feeling in the world.

Funny side note: when I actually crossed the finish line, the first thing that came out of my mouth was, “I only fell off the bike once!”

Also, I didn’t finish last!

After the race, we all had a big tailgate and celebrated with great food and drink. It’s so rewarding to share an experience like this with people you love.

Advice

For someone like me that is just getting started with training, consistency is so important. It’s important to remember this especially on days when you don’t have a great workout and may not be feeling so good. What you have to realize is that baby steps are so important. Just a little at a time and you will eventually get there.

Also, when confronting your own doubts and fears, reach out to your support network. Mentally, there were times that I thought I couldn’t finish a triathlon. But rather than give up, I turned to my friends and family, and they gave me the perspective and support that I needed to carry on.

What's Next?

My goal for this year is to launch a fundraiser in Atlanta for the Wounded Warrior Project – an organization that meets the needs of physically and emotionally injured veterans. Through counseling, adaptive sports, and job training, the organization strives to ensure that this generation of veterans is the most well adjusted in our history.

Triathlon Training: FAQs

-By Jaime Willis

"We can't solve problems using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

First, I want to thank you all for reading and posting during Triathlon Training Blitz Week!  It is has been a whirlwind of a week, but I know the best is yet to come (and I'm not just talking about our TGIF Interview tomorrow, although that is going to be awesome!)

Here are some questions we've gotten these week about the Training program that we'd like to take a moment to answer.

What is a Sprint Triathlon?

A "sprint" triathlon is a shortened version a full-length triathlon.  Sprint does NOT refer to how fast you have to go!  The triathlon itself consists of three legs:

• 750 Meter Swim (about a half mile in a lake);
• 16.5 Mile Bike Ride (for reference, the average person bikes at about 13-15 miles an hour when not racing). 
• 5 Kilomter run (3.1 miles long). 

Where and when are you training?

As a group, we are training on Sunday mornings in beautiful Lake Audobon in Reston Virginia.  In addition to several great riding/running trails, we will have access to the lake during training days to help simulate the race conditions. 

Depending on the number of participants, we may also choose to hold informal training meetups during the week before or after work in DC.  

I live in the city and don't have a car - can I still participate?

Sure!  We are going to be organizing car pools on Sundays out to Reston, so you should be able to hitch a ride with one of your soon-to-be new friends. 

Are you sure this is for everyone? I am so out of shape!

I am POSITIVE this training is for you - we are focusing on COMPLETING, not COMPETING, so this training program should be FUN, not stressful.  Caveat: We are not doctors - please speak to a medical professional before starting any exercise regimen, particularly if you have any pre-existing medical concerns.

What if I can't come for all of the training dates?

That's fine.  If you are going to miss over half of the training sessions, you may consider signing up for 1 or 4 sessions a la carte.

I am just not sure if I am ready to commit - eek!

Anyone, signed up or not, can join us on May 1 to learn more about the program, see the beautiful training location, and meet your fearless training buddies.  If you decide to continue, you can sign up after the first session!

Should I register for the race now?

If you sign up for any of our training program options first, you'll get a coupon code for $10 off race registration! 

I'm in! Where do I sign up?

Right here. 

Weekly Wednesday Inspiration #10 - Part C

-By Jaime Willis

The final leg of our Weekly Wednesday Inspiration Triathlon Blitz - the run!

Running Quote of the Week

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners.  Eventually, you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit."

Running Picture of the Week

Kelly Gneiting set a Guiness World Record on March 20, 2011 when he became the
heaviest man to finish a marathon.  Gneiting is 400-pound sumo wrestler who finished
the LA Marathon in 9:48:52, smashing the earlier record of a 275 pound man's marathon
finish of 11:52:11.  If Gneiting can do it, what are you waiting for?

Running Video of the Week

I know this isn't strictly speaking about running, but who isn't inspired by Rocky's famous run?

Weekly Wednesday Inspiration #10 - Part A

-By Jaime Willis

Because we are in the midst of Triathlon Blitz Week, I thought we'd do an inspirational post from each of the three triathlon categories.  This morning,  let's be inspired by swimming.

Swimming Quote of the Week:

"For me, losing is not coming in second.  It's getting out of the water knowing you could have done better. For myself, I have won every race I've been in." 

-Ian Thorpe

Swimming Picture of the Week: 

See mom, it could be worse.  There could be crocodiles in the water when we swim.
(I promise, there won't be!)

Swimming Video of the Week:

You may have seen Melissa on a recent commercial - here's the rest of her story. 

First, I need ...

-By Jaime Willis

"You can't always get what you want,

But if you try sometimes you just might find

You get what you need."

-Rolling Stones

This is the second of three blog posts today in honor of Triathlon Training Blitz Week!

Today, we are talking about the excuses that people use to avoid taking action on a goal. One excuse we hear a lot is that people don't have the right "stuff" to really start tackling the goal. The "stuff" can be anything, including: not enough money, too out of shape, don't have the right equipment, don't have the right education, etc.

The really awesome thing about goals is that there are so many ways of getting them accomplished. Your lack of "stuff" is likely just a lack of imagination.

As you think about the resources or "stuff" you need for your goal, ask yourself a few questions.

Do you really need that particular "stuff" at all?

Say you want to own your own business giving dance lessons to kids. You may think, "I need to buy a building before I can start my business." But do you? Couldn't you rent a building? Even better, couldn't you rent a room for an hour or a day - the amount of time you need to run your class(es)? Best of all - couldn't you use your networks to find a FREE space to provide dance lessons -- a church basement, a school cafeteria, a friend's building?

Money is usually a big obstacle that isn't nearly as necessary as people think. Think about the budget for the business above. In the original, this person may have needed over $100,000 to put down in order to buy a commercial property. Renting a space on a year-long lease may have meant a $20,000 annual commitment. Renting space on an hourly or as-needed basis may have meant a $5,000 - $10,000 annual commitment. Using free space while she builds up clientele - $0 dollars and instantly, her business is net positive!

If there is a resource you do need, how flexible can you be about it?

In the triathlon example, there is no getting around the fact that you need a bike. One-third of the race is on a bike, and it would be a little odd if you showed up without one. But you don't need the BEST BIKE EVER. You just need something serviceable. Do your research - does a friend have a bike languishing in their basement they can lend you for a few months? Is there a garage sale or swap meet nearby? Can you find something in your price range on Craigslist?

Left: Kestral Airfoil Triathlon Bike: $4,995 MSRV, Right: Schwinn Varsity Road Bike, $199 New, $75 Used

Do you have to have a $5,000 bicycle to complete a triathlon? Absolutely not! I'll be finishing my race with a 30 year old, $75 used bike. Ask yourself, as I do almost every day, What Would MacGyver Do?

Is there another way to think about the goal itself?

Back when I was first losing weight, I thought the ultimate "physical challenge" would be to run a marathon. If I was going to prove to myself that I was fit, not fat, I needed to run a marathon. So, I started training. I ran and ran and ran some more. When I got up to 10 and 11 mile runs, though, my hips and knees mutinied on me. I went to an orthopedic surgeon, who advised me that if I enjoyed ambulating on my own two feet, I should find another sport. From all the years I abused my joints carrying huge amounts of excess weight, my hips and knees were pretty permanently opposed to long-distance runs.

Now, I could have spent a lot of time and money on rehab and surgery and physical therapy and running clinics and figured out how to run a marathon. But when I searched my heart about WHY I chose that goal, I found that it wasn't really the marathon itself that meant anything to me - it was doing something BIG. And AUDACIOUS. and PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING. With that in mind, I embarked on a mission to do lots of shorter-distance runs. To help lessen the impact on my joints, I've written the rules of my challenge to include lower-impact cardio equipment, like the elliptical machines or the cross trainer. When I finish running 50 10ks, I'll have run the equivalent of almost TWELVE marathons. I'm betting I'll feel just as accomplished (or even more so) as I would had I pushed myself and my body to complete the marathon.

Think about your "ideal" resources to accomplish your goal. Now spend some time brainstorming - asking yourself the questions above and see if you aren't a lot closer to being able to complete that goal than you think!

I'm too busy...

-By Jaime Willis

"Focus on being productive instead of busy."

-Tim Ferriss, The Four Hour Workweek

Pre script #1: Matt is out of town this week making things happen in the big state of Texas.  I'll be taking over his blog posting duties for today. 

Pre script #2: This is one of three posts that will be published on our blog today in honor of Triathlon Training Blitz Week.  If you'd like to join us, go here for more information.

Pre script #3: If post script is a thing, pre script is a thing too, right?  

Today, I want to explore three of the biggest reasons excuses that we hear about why a particular goal or dream can't be accomplished.  This morning, let's talk about TIME.

One of the things I hear so often is, "I would do X, but I just don't have time."    

"I'm late! I'm late!"

I don't have time to make it the gym.  

I don't have time to go back to school.

I don't have time to pursue a hobby I'm really passionate about.

I don't have time.

You know what I say to that?  

Malarky! 

Whenever I hear that excuse, I think of the President.  The President of the United States, the Commander in Chief of our entire country, finds time in his week to a) play basketball; b) watch his girls play sports; c) read to his kids at night; and even d) go on vacation.  The President before him found time for exercise, family, and relaxation as well.  

If there is anyone in this country that could say with a straight face that they don't have time, it has to be the President.  The fact that even our Presidents find time for things that are personally important to them means that any of us can do it as well. 

When Matt and I started prioritizing our lives to make our dreams possible, we realized pretty quickly that time management was key.  

For Matt, this means a 5:00am wakeup call every day of the week.  While the rest of us are sleeping, Matt is taking concrete steps towards his dreams.  

For me, this meant cutting out almost all television watching.  TV is so enjoyable - I know.  It is relaxing, it is entertaining, and it gives us something 'easy' to talk to our coworkers about during the work day.  But television watching is rarely a productive use of our time.  

Think about this -- when you think back on your 2011 ten years from now, are you going to proudly brag to your friends that 2011 was the year you watched Season 15 of The Bachelor?  Are you going to pull out your iPad 20 with your grandkids some day and swipe through all the photos you took of yourself watching Glee?

Wouldn't you rather look back on your 2011 and say proudly:

2011 was the year I wrote my first book.

2011 was the year I ran a triathlon with some of my now closest friends.

2011 was the year I finally "found" the time and made my dreams happen.

Take an honest assessment of your schedule and see if you can find even 15 'new' minutes of the day to start working towards a goal of yours.  Try keeping a time log to see what you actually do in a day and see if there are any areas that you could more productively use your time.

But I Can't Even ....

By Jaime Willis

"Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have."

The other day, I was talking to my mom on the phone.  She reads our blog everyday and has been following along as we announced our intention to complete a triathlon.  

In contrast to her daughter, who is never happier than when she is speaking in front of an audience - the larger the better - my mom prides herself on being a professional audience member.  As she says, there can be no performance without an audience.  Although she shuns the spotlight, she has never been anything but supportive as my brother and I have launched ourselves out of the nest and into the world.  

But I know that this support has cost her no small amount of stomach lining and gray hairs in motherly concern.

Mom starts out this conversation cautiously, "So, I read on your blog that you are training for a triathlon?  That's in addition to the 10K's you are running?" 

There - the first touch of nervousness creeps in.  Let me note for the record that this is NOT skepticism on my mother's part, it is genuine concern.  She knows that I generally finish what I set out to do, but worries nonetheless.

"Yes, mom.  We start training in just over a month, but I am already pre-training now" I tell her, waiting for the shoe to drop.

"So a triathlon - that's running, biking, and swimming?" she asks.

"Yes, all of that.  It's a 5 kilometer run -- 3.1 miles," I translate, "a 16.5 mile bike ride, and a 750 meter swim - about a half mile," I finish.

"A half mile of swimming?  In a pool?" she asks, hopefully.

"No, this triathlon is an open-water swim -- we'll do the whole swim in a lake in Virginia," I say.

"Oh," she says, thinking a bit more before continuing, "How deep is the lake?"

"Mom, I don't know - it's a lake - it's lake-depth," I say, knowing that my answer is neither helpful nor consoling.

"Well, Jaime," she says, asserting her motherly instinct, "is it safe?"

Ah, there it is - my mother has chosen a worry for my triathlon - that I will drown trying to complete the swim.  I explain that the race has lots of folks watching the water to help those who find themselves in trouble.  I further explain that we'll be lined up to go into the water by our estimated finish time, so not everyone will enter the water at the exact same time.  Finally, I promise to be safe and not drown on race day.  

Although my mother is somewhat soothed by my answers, I hang up the phone knowing that if there were a way for her to require the race to be swum in a lake under 5" in depth, she would do it.  That's the mom in her.  

To be truthful, I am most concerned about the swim as well, although not because I think I'll drown.  I've run before, I've biked plenty, but I've never swam competitively, or really, otherwise, since I was in grade school.  I can swim, but I can't swim well.

Matt shared an anecdote from his grandmother that fits so well here, I'm stealing it to share with y'all.  "You know what can't means?," his grandmother asks.  "Can't stands for can try." 

Right now, I can't swim competitively.  But I have over four months to learn.  And, I definitely can try! I know that I will be able to finish the swimming portion of the triathlon - maybe not quickly, maybe not with pretty strokes, but finish nonetheless.

I may also be the first one who finishes a triathlon wearing a life vest, if only to assuage my mom's fears. 

Triathlon Training: Origin Story

-By Jaime Willis

No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch.

As many good things do, our story begins through the intervention of Sam Horn. In addition to being an incredibly talented writer and successful entrepreneur, Sam is a Connector in the true Malcolm Gladwell sense of the world. She has the gift of bringing people together to accomplish amazing things.

When Sam began thinking about what to do to honor an upcoming "big" birthday, she was inspired to DO something. Something BIG. Something BOLD. An experience that, on reflection, would stick a metaphorical flag into the ground, saying with gusto, "I did that!" She decided to complete a triathlon.

Sam, being the connector that she is, immediately glommed on the idea of having her friends and family join her in her birthday quest. As you can probably guess, shortly thereafter Matt and I got the call to join her.

I'll be honest, when Sam first called and asked Matt and I to join her in completing a mini-triathlon, my answer was no. I was already working on a big physical challenge of my own. I was so busy already adding another weekly item to my schedule was a lot to ask. I didn't own a bike and the last time I'd swam a lap was to cool off in a hotel pool. No one would fault me if I chose to pass on this opportunity, I thought.

So, the problem with being the Chief Inspiration Officer at a company focused on getting people to achieve their goals, no matter how audacious, means I know what a string of excuses sounds like when I hear them. Even when they are coming out of my own mouth.

My "new" bike - a Schwinn Varsity -
the original "Ten Speed" Bike.

What really sold me on this program, though, was Sam's approach. I always thought that completing a triathlon meant competing in a triathlon -- I needed to be the fastest runner, the strongest biker, and the slickest swimmer in order to be a triathlete. As you may know from my running posts, I am the antithesis of 'speedy.'

Sam's focus was not on competing, but on COMPLETING this event. What a great reminder of why we achieve goals. If winning was our only goal, we'd spend much of our life disappointed. But when we open ourselves to being a part of a great new experience, we all win just by participating.

If you just got a little zing by the thought of being a Triathlon Completer, join us! We welcome everyone, regardless of age or experience! We are committed to ensuring that everyone finishes the race and has fun in the process.

Triathlon Training Blitz Week!

By Jaime Willis

Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. 

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omni potent. 

The slogan "press on" has solved and will always solve the problems of the human race.

-Calvin Coolidge

Less than a month from now, Matt & I, as well as our good friend and mentor, Sam Horn, will begin training for a great new goal - completing our first mini triathlon.

If the previous sentence caused you a bit of hyperventilation, you are not alone! A triathlon, even a 'mini' triathlon seems daunting.  For some of you, it may even feel impossible.  I am here to tell you right now that NOTHING is impossible.  

We think that you, yes YOU, can complete a triathlon.  

Photo by Jenny Ruley

We have so much faith in you, we've invited you, yes YOU, to join us in training for the Luray Mini Triathlon.  If you live in the District, Maryland, and Virginia, you can join us Sunday, May 1 for sixteen weeks of training, support, and most of all, FUN.  If you are a bit further out, we still invite you to join us virtually through our weekly triathlon newsletter -- where you'll get a copy of the official Luray Triathlon Training Program as well as weekly tips and motivation to do your best!

We are so excited about this, we've declared this week "Triathlon Training Blitz Week." This means we will be posting THREE times a day all week!  We hope that you enjoy Blitz Week as much as we will!

If you have any questions about the triathlon training program that are not answered in our Training Program Page, please email us!  We'll do a Frequently Asked Questions post later on this week, so everyone can benefit from the answer to your great questions.

Believe It.  Achieve It!

Why We Launched A Triathlon Training Program

-by Matt Leedham

One of my core values is “Purpose & Meaning.” I have defined that in 3 ways for myself: analyze activities and goals for meaning; strive to live my life for something big, and; help others discover their purpose. Essentially, knowing why I chose to do something, and doing it with intention, is very important to me. Time is limited, and I have so much to get done, so I need to be very critical with what I choose to spend my time on.

When the opportunity presented itself to create this Triathlon Training Program, we didn’t jump at it right away. We reflected on it, asked some hard questions and really thought about whether or not this had purpose and meaning for both Velocity as a whole, and for us personally.

As you can tell by our excitement in launching the program yesterday, our conclusion was that it was a great fit. And here’s why:

1. Walk the Walk – Jaime and I have been writing and teaching about personal achievement for some time. We’ve shared a lot of personal stories, successes, and failures. We encourage people to be great and live up to their potential. And we’ve received a lot of wonderful feedback from those that are inspired by what we write and those that have attended our live workshops. Well, now is the time to lead the charge and take action. We’ve been talking the talk and now it’s time to walk the walk. We started this program based on the passionate belief that regardless of current weight, fitness level, or physical ailments, anyone can compete in and complete a triathlon. Join us!
   
   
2. Common Denominator – The more we talk to people the more we realize two things. First, we are all so amazingly different, complex and yet simple. We perceive the world in a way that only we can – uniquely based our experiences. However, in spite of our varied perspectives, almost all of us seem to have one goal in common. I have yet to talk to someone where health or healthy living was not a priority. Whether or not we are actually living a healthy lifestyle, we all seem to want it. We all want to be faster, stronger, thinner, sexier, more energized, and more vibrant. We believe this program will answer the call for many of you. It certainly will for us!
   
   
3. Adult Recess – We are all guilty of taking ourselves too seriously sometimes (or not seriously enough). We can get into habits, routines, and ruts. We get distracted by “life” and all of a sudden our commitments pile up and we forget about one very important thing – ourselves. This program is designed to be fun! It’s opportunity to get outside, get active, and get healthy. Nothing feels better than the sun on your face and the wind in your hair. So get off the couch and come join us! Make some time in your life to invest in yourself. Spring is around the corner and we’re going to go have some fun!

I will leave you with this final thought. You may not be able to join us in our Triathlon Training Program for many reasons. You may not live in the area, you may have insecurities about your athleticism*, or you may not have the resources to join us. Whatever the reason may be, don’t stop here. Get out there, get active, and get healthy. You’ll thank yourself for it. And so will everyone around you that you inspire.

*please email us at answers@velocitygoals.com about your concerns - this program was created to include anyone, regardless of fitness level.