Changing it up...

 Well I have decided it is time for a change...I need to mix it up a bit.  Here is what I have decided to do...I will be starting a new workout craze (at least in this area it is)...INSANITY.  It is a high intense 60 day workout that is really focused on Ply metrics.  To prepare in starting this I have decided that this week will be a little prep week for me.  I will be getting my workouts in through some old fashion labor by completing my rock shoveling project at my house.  By the end of the week the landscaping rock should be complete....just in time to leave for FL and start INSANITY...see you next week!

INSANITY LINK

All alone...

With having one of our largest camps (and the National Professional Fastpitch Diamonds in town) today I had to do my work out on my own today.  You really do not realize how much you take your workout partner for granted until they are not there.  Everything felt longer today;  the treadmill/cardio, the lifts just felt like they went on for hours.  Having that extra person in on your workouts to provide you with their energy, excitement, and support makes a huge difference.

Note to self:  Get Jovick a protein bar just to show him you care...

NPF Diamonds Visit TURN 2

Today's workout was a butt kicker - I have come to expect that the day after a holiday such as the 4th of July.  With that being said I will say the most exciting part of the day was not the treadmill or the jump rope; instead it was our special guests for the National Professional Fastpitch League - The Diamonds.  Having one of our 4 professional fastpitch softball teams in house today for a practice as they head down to Marion Illinois for a 4 game series against the Pride (our Olympians) was extremely exciting for the facility and the staff here at Turn 2.  We had some special guest student visitors from our Premier School on site to observe their practice and do a meet and greet with the players and coaches.  Below is a slideshow of the day - not a bad way to come back from Colorado...

NPF Diamonds at TURN 2:

 

GLORIOUS DAY!

June 30th, 2011...this will be a day full of memories that I will reminesence on when I am sitting on my front porch in my rocking chair with white hair, my cane in my hand, and my boxer pup by my side...when I remember today a smile will come across my face and a sigh of satisfaction will escape my mouth...Day 2 of white water rafting was a day to remember...biggest difference on this trip was the record setting water height on the river...today was the highest it has been in over 20 years...this all added to a faster...more dangerous...and more exhilarating ride!  The lifestyle that is available here in Colorado is one that I could not only get use to but rather one that is flat out good for the soul.  What a wonderful day I had being in the presence of such a powerful force of nature.  I am blessed...

Snap Shot Video of our Trip:

Hotel workout...with the pool...

Hiking was the plan but between our morning practice and a quick coaches meeting we ran out of time to head to the wilderness and enjoy some hiking...not to worry we quickly adjusted and utilized both the weight room and the pool at our hotel...not a bad day when you can get your workout in and catch some rays be your evening games...

Today's Video:

White Water Rafting - ROCKS!!!

Today I was finally able to experience white water rafting...this is something that has been on my "bucket list" and it was an amazing experience!  With the winter we had the river is running very high and super fast so certain parts of the river has been “closed” off by the guides for the general public...ALSO the water is currently 35 DEGREES - hint the full body wet suits we are wearing.

What was really exciting was after we finished, our tour guide said if we came back she would take us on a more intense and challenging part of the course…I said “I’m in!” so we plan to go back and TACKLE that portion on Thursday...to be continued…

The Road Trip….

The Action...

Hello Colorado!

What a day today was...up at 2:30am...left airport and arrived in Denver by 12noon.  By the time the rental car was loaded and we checked into the hotel it was time for a late lunch and then a little snooze before the workout.  With today being a travel day we used the hotel exercise room for our work and we got after it!  Tomorrow is WHITE WATER RAFTING and I am so excited I can hardly sleep!!!  The mountains are beautiful...I could get use to this...

Today's Video:

Colorado - here I come...

Last workout here in IL...next week is COLORADO!!!

Today's Video:

Arms feeling like jelly...

Upper Body Push day - new thing today was our push up burn outs.  We did as many as we could and then increased the incline by 6 inches and did it again...the arms were buring by the end of that exercise and felt like jelly!

Today's Video:



Change of scenery...

We had some extra time on our hands today so we decided to change the scenery...

Today's Video:

Reverse Order - should be fine - right?!

Upper body work day - in reverse order.  I have been at this long enough with Jovick to know that when he "switches" it up for "fun" the result is a little "pinch" (i.e. major sore and stiff body) the next few days. 

Well today Mr. Jovick thought switching it up and doing or typical upper body routine in reverse order would be a nice change of pace.  At first I was enjoying myself, doing some of the later exercises first where I felt fresh and strong.  That thinking went out the window when I realized our last exercise of the day would be push ups. 

I am like the majority of women out there - I absolutely DESPISE push ups.  By the end of 6 chest/arm exercises I went well past DESPISE and right into HATE. 

Note to self:  Push ups are NO FUN - especially as the last exercise of the day!

Teams - Life is full of them...

Today I wanted to re-post this entry from the middle of March that marked the very beginning of my transformation.  I find it helpful to remind myself of my thoughts/feelings throughout this process to help both my mentality and to continue my self motivation and hopefully help you with your own motivations for your personal goals and challenges.

BLOG POST from March 12, 2011:
As an adult I find myself on many different teams.  Team of co-workers, team of coaches, team with my family, etc.  Just like the Saluki Softball team these "life teams" are full of good and bad moments.  Being mentally tough and dealing with adversity determines your mindset, balance, and happiness in life. 

GAINING PERSPECTIVE:
It's funny how the longer you are away from an experience the more perspective you gain.  For me I can remember thinking as a 22 year old - I can't wait for these workouts to be done!  It was the only time in my life where I would get a migraine headache (apparently exercised induced).  As a Jr/Sr in college I thought when I am done I'll workout - I'll go to the gym.  Well I tried that but it was boring, it was easy to skip, I didn't have a goal in mind (other than how the clothes fit), and it became easy to just not go and not do.  As my business got off the ground, my day would get busier and it was the first thing that I would drop to fit everything else in.  Being a business owner is a 24/7/365 job and since our opener in 2007, I have put the business and its wellness in front of me.  I kept thinking - once the business is up I'll get back at it.  Problem is when it did get off the ground - there was even more to do so "getting back at it" never really happened.

THE TIME IS NOW:
I can't wait anymore and the time is now.  I want that reminder of what I had back in 2003 and 2004.  I went to one of my employees who is the Head of our Strength & Conditioning, Coach Jovick.  I asked him to train me - I didn't want the focus to be to get skinny or just lose weight.  I asked him to train me like an athlete getting ready for competition.  The competition is life and I need the daily challenge of these workouts to continue to push me and my mental toughness.  Life is hard but what are you going to do?  You can't take the ball and go home because a call didn't go your way, when you get knocked down you get back up, when you are faced with something your should conquer then you shouldn't waste your time - you should short game them and move on for the next game - to me life is a game and you have to prepare for that game.  So with that being said - you have to train for life and for me I am better when I am pushing myself mentally and physically.   So now it's time to get back to work and I want the girls who I had the blessing of playing with as a Saluki to know that I will be pulling from my memories of our work together to push me through the days I think I might not make it.  I start this coming Monday March 14th.

It's gettin' better...

I was very happy with today's workout.  We tested my right hamstring a little more than in previous days and I was happy with how it felt and reacted.  The weekend will tell how it recovers after today's workout.

Today's Video:

 

Young Pups

Alright - today was the 2nd day back after the rest period on my hamstring issue that side lined me.  Couple of things I am noticing throughout the facility. 

1)   It is summer so while Jovick is kicking my back side into shape all of the athletes who I push (or have pushed at some point) on the softball side are in the facility working out and witnessing my struggle.  Talk about feeling a little exposed. 

2)   Although my hamstring is feeling much better it is nowhere near where it was before the injury and that leaves me to work on patience - something I haven't always been known for.

3)   I know I must be getting older if the kids who started with me as 8 year olds want to challenge me to a push-up of contest.

Today's video will introduce one of my students who literally has been here since the begining...

Noelle was around 10 years old when I was looking to open up Turn 2 and she had already been working with me before our facility got up and running.  What I can remember the most of young Noelle was being a little bit of a butterball (who isn’t at 9?) standing in the snow peaking inside the windows of a gutted building with me for the first time.  That gutted building has since been turned into Turn 2. 

Throughout the past few years Noelle has taken advantage of absolutely everything I have made available to her through Turn 2.  She works out with our hitting and pitching coaches, she also was one of the first students to dive into the Strength and Conditioning when I opened that up 9 months into the business.  To say that Noelle has work ethic well that would be an understatement.  The interesting thing about developing work ethic is that it builds the athletes confidence - today that confidence turned on me.  Check out today's video to see exactly what I am talking about....

Today's Video:

1st Day Back

Hello everyone - sorry for the sabbatical!  I turned 30 on May 16th and a few days before that my body reminded me I was turning another year older…during one of my workouts we were doing some sprint intervals and I took to big of a stride and pulled my right hamstring.  After some proper rest and working back into proper weight bearing activities I am ready to get back to my training with Jovick.  Today I could tell Jovick was very protective of me and I appreciated how much he monitored how things felt and talked me through the exercises after coming back from an injury - helped put me at ease. 

Note to self:  It is GREAT to be back at it, even though I have to go through the "Just starting out" soreness all over again :(

Summer Fun!

I can remember one of the things that made me fall in love with Softball - it was traveling in the summer around to the tournaments and games with my Mom.  We would pack up the car, say good bye to my dad (he had to stay and work most of the time) and away we went! 

Early on I remember wanting to have the radio on the stations I enjoyed.  Mom always was willing to oblige.  I remember one time when we were driving home she was pretty tired and I asked if their was a radio station that would help the final few hours fly by for her.  She said "Oh I love the golden oldies" on 103.3 FM.  Back then it was a radio station with mostly 50's and 60's music.  Once I turned the channel mom started singing and it made me giggle.  From that moment on the Golden Oldies were our station of choice.  I learned the songs and I would sing along with mom and it made our trips so special and the time on the road fly by!

When I found out Jersey Boys would be coming back to the Fox I had to ask if Mom would want it go.  The show is a musical with music focused on that era and about a popular group from that time.  Anytime I hear the music of that era it reminds me of my summer road trips with mom.

Does anyone have special family memories like this one?  If so I would love to hear about them!

CONTEST WINNER HAS BEEN SELECTED!!!

Thank you to all the participants on the "COMPETE" photo contest I hosted to help celebrate my 30th Birthday today!  The winner has been announced click below to see all participants and the WINNER!

"COMPETE" Photo Contest Winner Announced - CLICK HERE

To all the participants - a coupon will be sent to you for 1 FREE T-SHIRT for participating - thanks for joining in!

JD



Athletes and making Mistakes

In this BLOG my focus is to help parents, coaches, and athletes understand the hard work to takes off the field to be the very best on the field.  90% of this BLOG is focused on getting the athletes body to work like a well oiled machine (let's say a corvette since that is my favorite car). 

Every now and again I like to throw in different topics that also aid in shaping great athletes.  I found this clip on-line from Doc Rivers discussing mistakes and our athletes.  He shares some great thoughts and perspective for all of us to keep in mind when dealing with athletes.  Mistakes are inevitable but GREAT coaches (or parents and teammates) help pinpoint with the athlete where the lack in focus came from to learn from the mistake.  All too often we see examples of coaches, fans, parents, and teammates coming unglued at youth sporting events because of a mistake that has been made.  One thing to keep in mind - they do not make the mistake on purpose and it is inevitable that they will make more mistakes in the future.  

Doc Rivers Video on Athletes and Mistakes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgCIoLvwPWM&feature=uploademail

Photo Contest - Only a FEW days left

WINNER OF PHOTO CONTEST WILL RECEIVE A FREE TURN 2 T-SHIRT!

1)  MUST be a registered "FOLLOWER."  

     To "follow", enter your email or follow with your "Google" account.

      

2)  Submit your competing photo to: jdoehring@athletixfactory.com along with your name, email address, and phone number.  *Need a good photo: see below for information on how to enter a GREAT photo!

The photo can be of your most memorable softball/baseball moment, your first homerun, pitching a tough game, anything that shows how you COMPETE! We want to see it!

3)  Must leave a comment on my blog to be considered for contest.  The more comments you leave, the more chances to win!

I will announce the winner on my birthday - May16th.  START FOLLOWING NOW!!!

Leadership

For all the readers out there - if you HAVE a young athlete or if you ARE a young athlete then by now the concept of LEADERSHIP is something you have heard about.  It is a common thread in any sport. 

Shane Battier who played basketball at Duke has a great video on Leadership for athletes to gain insight from.   Regardless if you lead by example or vocally one thing that is in common is the hard work it takes day in and day out to be reputable.

  Hit the link below to view:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY6tdhzDzBk&feature=uploademail

Back at it

Sorry about last week folks -  the middle and later part of the week took an unlikely turn.  Anyway we got back into our barbell routine today - finger is much better and the ability to grip is back to about 90% so we are diving back in!

5.9.2011 Video:

Continued Adjustments due to Finger

Today we continued our workouts but made adjustments due to my finger injury.  For anyone wondering if I feel it during the workout the answer is – yes.   Even though I feel it the pain is not so much that I am not able to focus on the work at hand.  I have played in games with far worse pain than what I am experiencing with this finger.  For the most part it is just annoying but we have to work around it.  All too often people “shut it down” when they are faced with injuries and that is a shame because trained professionals such as Jovick have education and experience in the field to help navigate around an injury and to keep an athlete moving forward and up in their performance training.

5.3.2011 Video

Change of Plans

Just like in athletics - injuries happen in everyday life.  Saturday night I was coming out of my side garage door with a bag of charcoal in my left arm to grill.  As I was about to shut the door a gust of wind came and slammed the door shut on my right middle finger.  24 hours later it was about triple the size and full of blood.  After letting my kid brother (who is a trained professional) try and drain the finger we ended up at the emergency room.  The Dr. used a tool and heated it and burned through the middle of my finger nail.  Once he made it through the finger drained and that was a relief of PRESSURE and PAIN.

Like they say in the circus...the show must go on!

5.2.2011  Video

Week 7 - Day 4

Well guys – I’m gased – enjoy today's video.

4.28.2011 Video

High Pull, Power Snatch - Ground, & Front Squat

The exercises mentioned in the title were our focus today.  Front Squat will not be shown in the video today due to my review and realizing a small wardrobe malfunction :)   If anyone out there has a direct line to Mother Nature ask her to let up on this rain please!  Enjoy!

4.27.2011



Day 2 of our 3 week Barbell Focus

Day 2 – lifts we will focus on are:   Barbell Snatch, Overhead Military Press, Bench Press, Closed Grip Push ups, and finished up early so we added Barbell Front Raise. 

Overall the “practice” of these lifts are going well.  I’m anxious to get more familiar with them so we can add more weight.  Before adding weight Jovick ensures I am not only familiar, but comfortable and technical with all the lifts.  Safety First - you can't get stronger if you are on the sidelines with an injury.

4.26.2011 Video

Next 3 weeks will be different with a new focus

I hope everyone had a great Easter - I ate way too much food and I paid for it last night - not a great night sleep!  Today you will hear (and see) Jovick taking me through 4 specific lifts:  Jump Shrug, RDL's, RDL into Bent over Row, and barbell bicep curls.  As he mentions in the video we are heading into a 3 week strength focus.  Now that I have a base built I am ready to go into something like this looking for large gains in strength over the next 3 weeks.  Gotta be honest - I can't wait to put together the Before and After video.

4.25.2011

BEFORE & AFTER

Jovick and I made a pact – we wouldn’t measure my success off of measurements or a scaIe.  We would measure it off of performance.  I just completed my 6^th week of training and I can tell a difference in every aspect of my life.  My energy level is through the roof, my grit and determination is climbing every week and most importantly – I am sleeping GREAT at night J.  I wanted to throw a BEFORE & AFTER video together for all the viewers – I will try and do this every 6-8 weeks. 

AROUND THE WORLDS:  WEEK 1 & WEEK 6

Happy Easter!

Moving up in the world - new video editing software!

GREAT NEWS!  I had some help today and was able to download new video editing software so now my hope is to link all the individual videos we take in a training session and combine it into 1 comprehensive video for the blog...see below for my first one!

Thursday 4/21/2011

Continuing Education

I am excited to introduce everyone to Austin Jones of StudioRKC located in Clayton Missouri.  Austin came on site today to do a kettlebell specific workout with Jovick and myself for some continuing education.  I want to thank Austin for making his trip out to see us today – check his studio out at www.studiorkc.com

Austin Jones of StudioRKC - Intro

Testing before we start

1/2 Turkish Get up

A different kind of squat :)

Recap from Austin Jones of StudioRKC

Monday's - they are the pits!

Here is the thing about Monday’s..all around they are a tough day – for everyone.  You have the dread of the school or work week,  thoughts of a weekend and a to do list that didn’t quite get completed, and if you are like me you are already thinking about what you can get done NEXT weekend or for the kids how they plan to spend any free time they might get. 

Monday’s are just “get through the day” and so are our workouts.  They are hard and they shock the system after having the weekend to recover so they are not to be taken lightly.  Today Jovick had an appointment and couldn’t do the workout with me so he left me the plan for the day to do on my own.  Initially I thought – this might be nice just get back into it today.  By the end of the workout I was missing and wishing my training partner was there to push me through the last few exercise.  It’s just better with someone cheering you on.

Note to self:  Who would have thought?  It’s actually worse without Jovick.

RDL Day - I'll feel this on Friday!

Jovick Intro to our workout - today's focus: RDL's

Last set of 3 at 125lbs "RDL's - Romanian Dead Lift

Single set at 135lbs after we did our sets of 6 and sets of 3

 (grip strength is also being worked on with me not using straps to help hold the bar)

My final set at 155lbs - getting 3 for sure but trying to get as many as 5 -  but no more than 5

Jovick - recap

It's Softball - NOT CHEERball

Call me old fashion, call me a dying bread, but I was brought up to "talk the game" to "know the game" and to say things with a big loud voice that made sense in the situation based off the events of the game.  Now - I know as a kid I yelled out things to my teammates that may have sounded silly and out of place and I was embarassed when I realized that was "stupid or silly" - but that was all part of learning the game - right?  Without making silly mistakes how was I going to learn?  So, can someone please catch me up on all the "cheering"?  We have so many cheers - and all our kids can yell them, tap their feet and clap their hands at the right moments in the cheer and end in unison....SO....why aren't we spending our energy in the dugout "talking the game" instead of "cheering the game"?  Heck some teams might get discovered by that Simon Cowell guy they are so good :)

I'm concerned that when this generation of athletes are grown ups they will find themselves standing by a water cooler on a Monday morning catching up with co-workers  and one of our own will "break out in a cheer" because someone unjammed the copy machine....come on think about it...makes you laugh right?

Do any of these photos make you think we are "cheering the game" or "competing and playing the game"?

Talking the game from the dug out

Teammates Celebrating after a big run was scored

"I just made the 3rd out of the inning by Alabama attempting & failing to steal 2nd. 

Do I look like I want to break out in a cheer?"  - Jen Doehring

Video is coming...hang in there kids!

Monday  April 11th, 2011: 

Hang in there...video solution is on the way.  Over the weekend I created a channel on You Tube and I am working on uploading videos to that site.  As soon as I have some on there and it is ready I will post the link for you all to go on and view.  Over the next 2 days this will be my focus so bear with me on my daily posts.

On a side note - I am getting stronger and my stamina is increasing!!!  WOO HOO!!!  The warm up is becoming just that - something used to get loose and a good sweat going.  It is great to be starting our 5th week of work and I am excited about the gains I am already seeing! 

This week I am excited to announce a special guest who will be taking over our workout on Wednesday.  His name is Austin Jones and he specializes in Kettlebell training.  I look forward to sharing with you some video and comments about our "specialized" workout!

Note to self:  This Blog is much more fun with video...gives the kids something to give me a hard time about when I see them at the facility...

Jovick will happily grant me this one wish….

Thursday  April 7th, 2011: 

First off I need to apologize – technical difficulties uploading video recently.  I am working on some potential solutions but for now my depiction of the “Jovick Trained” workout will have to do.

Let’s see…it is Thursday…that means 2-3 days off after today…that means Jovick is coming in with a workout that I will remember through Sunday.  Lucky for me - that is exactly what I asked for.  A workout to make me numb - I know what you are thinking - JD WHY ASK FOR THAT?!  Trust me by our 11am start time today I had already had quite the eventful morning.  I was ready for  90 minutes of pure mind & body numbing action with the hard rock music up to the MAX! 

To achieve this we did a ton of lifting.  Is everyone starting to see a pattern developing on the break down and build up of muscle and the aches, pains, & soreness you must go through for the strength gain yet?   If I had to say our lifting had a theme it would be squats, squats, squats.  If I had to guess tomorrow’s theme it would be ouch, ouch, ouch…

Have a great weekend everyone – see you on Monday!

Note to self:  Be careful what you ask for…

Foam Roller - sounds snuggly - right?

Wednesday April 6th, 2011:

Foam Roller Day – First I need you to think about a deep tissue massage - the kind where they push so hard it hurts.  Now insert the foam roller and you have a deep tissue massage that you inflict on yourself.  Not getting it?  Ok, basically you have a roller (shaped like a huge rolling pin) made out of condensed foam.  You position yourself on the roller in different positions dependent on the muscle you want to work on.  As you roll your body across the roller your body weight and the roller push against the muscle working and pushing out the knots and tightness that have developed in that muscle - helping it recover faster. 

Mentally it is sick and twisted because it HURTS and you are doing it to yourself.  Now I'm sure some of you are thinking - that's it that was your workout for the day?  Afraid not - after we finished with the roller of horror I realize this is part of the warm up and prep for heading back into the weight room...ugh what a day. 

Note to self:  Foam Roller and I are not “friends”

Foam Roller Videos

PUSH!

Today we did a big focus on upper body – we did some kettle bell training, push ups, chest press, etc.  Here is an interesting thing I learned today – I can do only 2-3 REAL push ups.  I mean proper technique, appropriate depth when lowering and pushing back up.  Here I am giving out 5 push ups here or 10 push ups there to some of my athletes and I bet Most if not ALL can’t do 1 properly.  Jovick made an interesting point to me – he said “JD instead of giving your kids 10 push ups try giving them 1 push up where they take nose to the floor with a flat (“locked” ) hips and torso.  I guarantee them doing (or trying and even failing to do) just 1 push up the right way will create a ton more work for them than 5-10 push ups the wrong way.”  Anyone wanting to test this theory try it…5-10 push ups your way then get your hands under your chest your legs and back locked in and try to lower yourself with your arms until your nose touches the floor and then back up….I bet your body trembles and struggles more on that 1 then the previous 5-10.  I will try to upload a video of my push ups I did today.  It will show that today we did them at a small incline where my feet were on the floor and hands were on a bar resting at the base of a platform.  It was a small incline so if you need a little more help - get a bigger incline like a set of stairs in your home.  The higher your hands are off the ground the easier this should be.

Note to self:  Jovick’ push ups are no joke!

What if I just "don't feel like it?"

Today I wanted to and thought seriously about skipping my workout.  Yes I have the same thoughts as the kids..."I don't want to" or "I don't feel like it today" or "I have too much work to do".  So – what makes me not only show up but also work hard?  Answer - having accountability and ownership.  I have people who are following me, encouraging me, patting me on the back, laughing with me at my videos, if I skip a day they will all know I did.  If I skip a day I not only fail myself but I fail all those who are supporting me by reading this blog and becoming a "follower" of this site. 

I think that is the thing about goals - they have to be real and they have to be out there in the open so when you don't "feel like it" you still do it because the thought of having people ask you "what did you do on Monday" and not having a good answer is worse than getting up from the desk and just going and getting the job done. 

Today I needed a little push and thankfully I had someone sitting across from my desk that was willing to push me even if he got his head bit off in the process.  That is a great friend/teammate - one who pushes you even when it makes them unpopular with you for a period of time.  Parents, Coaches and teammates - sometimes you need to push your athletes/teammates because you help them learn ownership and accountability.  If someone wants to "dog it" that day - who has the courage to stand up and say "that isn't ok!”  “This isn’t good enough - you are better than this!”

Note to self:  A strong person who is willing to push you when you can't push yourself is a must in accomplishing your goals.

Realistic Expectations

I have asked my parents time and again - how did you do it?  How did you push me to work so hard and not burn me out?  The answer from my Dad was surprising:  "Jenny we didn't have to push you - you pushed us.  You would have your ball glove on and waiting for me to get home so we could play catch.  You would beg to go to the park and have me throw to you so you could hit.  You would ask to play basketball - anything to be out playing a game.  You were happiest when you were competing.  Your "work" was you really your "play time", Work was FUN for you."  I can tell you I really thought my Dad somehow made me this competitive person but what he was saying was - I was born with it.  The reason I asked him how he did it is because I am now trying to do it for the athletes I effect.  How do I pull the killer instinct out of my young athletes - who have it?  Can I pull killer instinct, drive, and competitiveness out of a kid who doesn't have it to begin with?  Are you born with it?

If you had my job which of these scenarios would you choose - what would you look forward to working with week in and week out?
1)  To be faced with an athlete who is capable of a lot but only wants a little, but Mom and Dad want a lot? 
2)  To be faced with an athlete who is capable of a little, wants a little, but Mom or Dad want a whole lot?
3)  To be faced with an athlete who is capable of a little OR a lot, is motivated by a lot, and has Mom and Dad in their cheering section?

For me I choose #3.  My reasoning?  This kid is self motivated, has the work ethic to try and improve without adult eyes on them.  They LOVE the game - regardless if they are good or great at it.  They just have to be playing - it's in their blood.  They are alive and excited and have energy every time they get a chance to learn.  Most importantly they have the support of parents who allow them to chase their dreams but are there for them if they come up a little short.  This kid gets a pat on their back because of their effort - not outcomes alone.   This kid gives you everything they have regardless of how hard or natural something comes to them because they try hard no matter how hard the skill or task is.  In my experience I have witnessed over and over again athletes (& adults) who are capable of a little but accomplish a lot.  In fact I think we find this in all walks of life - not just athletes. 

The hardest part about my job is when I work with a kid who is #1 or #2 and after a period of time where you have tried to help them "fall in love with the work" it takes to be successful and haven't been able to make an impact.  Often I am the one who has to bear the tough news to the parents.  I'm sorry but your kid "just isn't that into it".  Most of the time this gets greeted with anger, frustration, and denial.  I can tell you that this conversation is the one I dread the very most - but really all I want to do is help the parents and the kid get on the same level of expectations.  I "think" I am doing the right thing and trying to be a voice for both sides of the equation (parent = kid) in an attempt to get everyone on the same page.   For me bringing that honesty to the athlete and their family is me doing my job to the best of my ability. 

Oh Happy Day!

Wednesday March 30th, 2011:

Remember the videos I posted from Monday's workout - the ones with the jump rope exercises?  My hamstrings can't seem to forget - OUCHY WA WA!!!  Thankfully today was Wednesday and Wednesday's are great because they are recovery day workouts!  My legs did loosen up some throughout our treadmill work today but I have to say overall they are fatigued and feel like cement blocks I am forced to drag around.  Tomorrow we add Thursday into the mix (so far we have only trained M-W) and I am told that we will do a warm up and then some major lifting with anticipation of a couple days for the body to recover.  I'm interested to see what Jovick's "major lifting" definition is...

Note to self:  Wednesday’s are Happy Days

Combination Lift with triceps stretch

Distracted

Tuesday  March 29th, 2011:

Distracted…this is the adjective I would use to describe my day (atleast up until the completion of my workout).  We have a heavy construction project going on in the facility this week.  On top of that we had some electrical work being done in the new weight room set up – as we were doing our daily grunt work.  Needless to say today wasn’t a great day for focus.  We did work hard, but it wasn’t my best and I know I can do better.  Many athletes run into this problem.  Maybe they had a rough day at school, an exam they took and didn’t feel great about, in trouble at home with their parents, fight with a girlfriend or boyfriend, etc.  The ability to shut that out and off and switch gears to the task at hand is key to high level performance – typically I test well in this department but today I give myself a B-.  I can do better and I am better than I showed today.  Luckily for me tomorrow is a new day.

Note to self:  Give it everything you got otherwise it will haunt you the rest of the day.

Jumping Rope - Not like I remembered.

Monday March 28th, 2011:

Today we did a jump rope circuit – harmless right?  I remember jumping rope as a kid in P.E. or at recess and it was always enjoyable.  What I have been trying to figure out is how this seemingly harmless rope can cause me to get so dizzy now as an adult?  Between the continuous jumping, the frustration of getting it caught in my feet, and the not to be forgotten whip marks on my arms and legs from missed jumps I can tell you this wasn’t your day at the playground.  I am not sure how many different exercises we did since everything turned fuzzy as the blood rushed to my head.  What I do remember is the 100 “speed” jumps to end the circuit.

Note to self:  I lost that warm fuzzy childhood feeling when I think about jump ropes.

JOVICK - High Knees  (Seriously?!)

My attempt - High Knees

JOVICK - Butt Kicks (Grrrrr - he makes it look easy!)

My attempt - Butt Kicks

100 Speed Jumps - speedy? Not so much...

Fasten your seatbelts!

Wednesday March 23rd, 2011 :

Abs day and we didn’t just lie on the floor and do crunches – yay!  I get bored very easily working out so for me a big part of being motivated to keep at it is the creativeness in our exercises.  Jovick had a variety of med ball core exercises for us but today one of my favorites were the seatbelts.  Between the balance, coordination, and quick pace it burns your abdominal muscles and adds a little fun to the circuit.

Note to self : click it or ticket and whatever your do don’t drop the ball!

 SEATBELTS

FUN = PAIN

Tuesday March 22nd, 2011 :

Warm up today was short and sweet on the treadmill…that was different and I knew it wasn’t a good kind of different.  After some stretching and hip exercises we went back to the treadmill for some “fun”.  I think Jovick needs to check the definition of fun in the dictionary because I can tell you 20 second sprints with 30 second rest for 20 minutes with increasing speed and incline was ZERO FUN! 

Note to self when training with Jovick FUN = PAIN.

I’m not there yet….

Monday March 21st, 2011 :

Today I got a little ahead of myself and maybe even a little cocky on the warm up using the treadmill.  Jovick and I started chatting while the other was running and vice versa.  The conversation started off harmless but as the speed and incline continued to climb the talking while running gave me the worst set of side stitches I have had in 6 years. 

Note to self – zip it on the warm up – I’m not there….yet.

Say it like Schwarzenegger…I’ll be BACK…

Day 3:  Wednesday March 16^th, 2011 : 

Recovery Day – I need it – its 8am and my legs feel like a group of tiny rubber bands all pulled tight about to snap – very stiff and SORE!  The abs from 2 days ago are so sore it hurts to breathe…wait I remember this… 2nd day soreness rule (for those you who don’t know the body feels worse on the 2^nd day after a hard workout than the first – such a nice surprise J).  In College I remember learning this the hard way and feeling pretty young and dumb for it…I was a Freshmen and after our first day of lifting I said “I actually feel better than I thought – and an upperclassmen said “just wait until day 2 soreness Freshmen”  She was right on day two going up or down a flight of stairs was pure torture and almost impossible.

Note to self – Day 2 soreness feels even worse when you are approaching 30 and just a tad outta shape.