Submission isn't a BAD word

Gabrielle Reece is one of my all time favorite athletes. As a young woman, I connected with her story and her pursuit of excellence. (She is a total bad a**)  Recently, she wrote a book, which is on my to-do list, and was heavily criticized for her comment on being submissive.  I'm not sure why the word submissive has gotten such a bad connotation. Submissive doesn't mean you are a lesser person or a weak person. It definitely doesn't mean when the ice tea glass is shaken at you that you "hop to" to go fill it up.

By definition, it is "the action of yielding to the will of another person". Usually the verb "force", is used to give action to submission, but submission isn't always a wrestling match to see who is stronger. I don't submit to everyone, but I do submit to some. I love my sister. I submit to her and she to me. When I apologize, I am submitting. I am saying- "I was wrong and you were right." I am yielding to the will and the rights of her. Submitting to people requires humility, compromise, and kindness. It means you don't ALWAYS have to have your way. This is also an action done out of intimacy and love, therefore, it doesn't apply to just anyone. Submission doesn't make you a lesser person, but rather a stronger one.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/04/gabrielle-reece-submissiveness-out-of-context_n_3211910.html

p.s.  To the women out there who this really pisses off- Just remember, feminism shouldn't be designed to put people down, but to allow equal opportunity for all to rise up.

Stay Psyched.  Work Hard.  Love your life.
Always-
a

The Dreaded Downhill

Hills are hard. That's why I like them. Your legs burn, your heart feels like its going to simply break through your ribs and fall out of your chest, your lungs strain to supply all the oxygen you need, and it's simply exhilarating to finish. I always thought fighting during the uphill portion hill workouts was the most important aspect.  However, for me, the downhill turned into the bigger challenge.  After running the Austin marathon, it was hard to walk, and I didn't run for 2 weeks.  My knees were toast.  I didn't manage the downhill well at all, and I paid for it later. So, when I signed up for my second marathon, I realized that I need to make some modifications in my running to protect my knees.

1. CONTROL:  Do not fly down hill. (This is what I did.) It is important to control your steps.  Try to keep your feet close to the ground to limit impact on your knees. If you are running a marathon, your knees will thank me when mile 22 roles around.
2. ANGLE:  Think wheel chair ramp or skiing.... Depending on the decline of the hill, you may want to use some cut backs.  Of course when racing, this option is not as easy when there are several other runners, but you can still do some to help reduce the some of the force on the knee.
3.  DISTANCE:  I also shorten the length of my stride.  This really helps with control.
4.  ARMS:  I  use downhills to relax my shoulders, let my arms hang and shake out.  This also helps slow me down and maintain control of my steps.  **Tip** The faster your arms move, the faster your feet will too.
5.  WALK:  Sometimes during training, I walk the downhill.  I wouldn't do this every time you have a hill workout, but I use the walk for recovery and to reduce the abuse on my basketball knees.  If you are running a long distance race, walking is often a very good strategy.  The sprint finish at the end maybe achievable if you are careful to protect those knees.

Keep running- Be Strong & Go do your hill workout-  I'm cheering for you!

Strong and Feminine

"Third place Hawaii Ironman finisher Kienle said, and I quote, "It's become a last man standing kind of race.  Before you'd have twenty guys all together at the start of the run.  That won't happen anymore.  The fact that (women's winner Mirinda Carfrae) ran faster that ll of us (this year) just goes to show how hard the bike ride has become."  That's funny, dude, we all thought it showed how much of bad chick Mirinda Carfrae is."
-- Ali Wick Meeks

It's interesting to me that the idea of inferiority of women still permeates so much of society.  I remember when I had to have a surgery and my surgeon was a woman.  A part of me wished it was a man because somewhere along the line, I was taught to believe that a man would be better at "those"things.  I quickly vanquished those thoughts, and remembered how AWESOME my doctor is!  But it made me realize, that ideas about women have been subtly and not so subtly infused in our mindset.  Here's to the women who constantly demonstrate a love for being a woman, gentle and kind, AND strong and powerful.

And might I add Mr. Kienle, you may be right about one thing.  It may be the "last man standing kind of race", because all the women have already crossed the finish line.

If you don't know who Mirinda Carfrae is, check our her video from triathlon competitor and her attitude towards her body, sport, and femininity.  It's interesting even if you aren't a triathlete.
http://triathlon.competitor.com/2013/10/video/inside-triathlons-body-shoot-mirinda-carfrae_82326

I dedicate this post to my dear friend, Ali Wick Meeks, who's joyful passion for life and strong belief system has always inspired me.  You are the epitome of grace and power.

The 3 S's for Women

As an educator and former 7th/8th grade science teacher, there was nothing more annoying than watching the smart girls act dumb.  I don't know why they would, but about half of my smart girls did. I also remember girls in high school who acted like they hated me for no reason and made fun of me.  I don't remember one of my female teammates ever telling me good job.  Women just didn't praise other women.
I enjoy seeing strong female characters in television and movies.  But what I absolutely adore are the real life women who are secure, strong, and smart!  The 3 S's!  At my last rock climbing competition, the 3S's were in full force.  Other women taking pictures of women climbing and promoting them, women cheering for other women to do well, and the general attitude of wanting others to succeed.  This is truly a beautiful thing. Websites like Climb On Sister and books like Women Who Dare inspire women to cheer for other women.
So get out there- go beyond yourself and cheer for someone else.  You might just find yourself enjoying yourself more, making new friends, and who knows- even accomplishing more than you thought you ever could!  Climb On!  Run On!  Swim On!  Bike On!  STAY PSYCHED! .... and go cheer for someone else!

Your best friend....

Dogs are great. There are so many great stories about dogs.  I love to watch the dog's response when his/her master comes home from war, or a "cheesey" cute video of dogs dressed up or doing something funny.  My childhood dog, Thor, died while I was in college.  I cried so hard all the girls in dorm thought my boyfriend had broken up with me.  After Thor died, I had a hard time wanting another dog.  First there was Maggie, who after long deliberation I gave to a roommate who had bonded very deep with Maggie.  Then Elbert, who was stolen from my backyard, and despite my efforts never returned.  Then, there was Noah.  Noah is not my dog.  He's my best friend's dog.  I spent a summer with him during a very hard time in my life.  He looked so much like Thor, and after my grandma died that spring, he helped me heal.  Nostalgia is good for the soul.

Dogs don't tell you to stop crying, and they don't try to fix your problems.  Noah would actually just snuggle into you, or try to make you play ball with him.  He had this funny way of taking what felt like at least three-quarters of his weight and rest it on your leg while standing. He was a great "leaner", in more ways in one.

I got the call a week or so ago.  Noah has bone cancer.  I wish you could lean on me, and somehow I could save you.  But, since I can't, I say to you- thank you. Here's to you sweet, loving dog, who slobbered all over the place. Thank you for being one of the greatest dogs that ever was - at least to me.  Thanks for being there when I really needed you, and for being such a loyal companion to my best friend.  We will miss you.

Gender Bias

Girl Push Ups??  Since when did push ups have a gender? It disturbs me that while teaching PE, students  refer to the modified push up as a "girl" push up.  I remember learning "girl' push ups and even at a young age refused to do them. I went from barely being able to bench press a 45 lb bar in the 6th grade to being able to bench press 165 lbs (30 lbs more than what I weighed at the time) by the 12th grade.  My max bench press beat some of the high school boys.  Now- that's my kind of "girl" push up.

Hood to Coast: The Most Awesome RACE EVER!!!

I have thinking about starting a blog but......there is LIMITED time in life.... BUT.... I will blog every day if that means I get to run the HOOD TO COAST!  Check out my video application and choose me!!