Let's Get Lucky!
Today is your lucky day!
I'm going to share the top secrets on how you can get lucky! Okay, not THAT kind of lucky. I'm no Dr. Ruth Westheimer, although my annoying personality and 4'11” stature might indicate otherwise. I'm just an endurance sports coach and, while there are certainly similarities between a successful sex life and a successful endurance career (practice makes perfect, right?), I'll let the experts at Cosmopolitan dispense those tips.
So here's the first thing to know about getting lucky in your endurance sports career. You create luck. Yep…that's right. You heard me. You make it. It isn't something that only happens to others and never to you.
Wait: You mean lucky people don't just sit around, basking in the glow of fortune that constantly smiles upon them?
No. In fact, those who are considered lucky in life, business, romance, and sports, for example, are some of the hardest working people out there. Thomas Jefferson once said, “I'm a great believer in luck, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it.” He may know a thing or two about success.
So what do these lucky people do and how can you get some of that?
They Seize Opportunities
Lucky people see every moment as a chance to learn and grow. Every practice is a chance to meet someone new or learn a new skill. Every training group and coach in town offers a different learning experience. Every race provides a chance to connect with like-minded individuals who are also creating their own luck. Take advantage of these moments. Play to your strengths and don't be afraid to take risks. Serendipity is the world's way of sharing its abundance. Get out there and take your share!
They Create Fortune Where It Doesn't Exist
Austinite Katy Dooley was six months away from swimming the English Channel last summer when she broke her foot. Talk about misfortune! Timing couldn't have been worse, or so she thought. After a few days of anger and emotional mood swings, Dooley turned her bad luck into something positive. She first let her body rest. This allowed her to work on other areas of training, specifically mental training. She took the time out of the water to work on positive visualization. She saw herself hitting shore; she imagined every stroke and anticipated every dark moment; she addressed the inner debates and prepared her comebacks. The mental practice allowed her physical comeback to be faster and stronger. In September, Dooley successfully completed her channel crossing in just over eleven hours, making her one of the fastest women to cross in 2012.
They Hang Out With Good Apples
Lucky people surround themselves with positive energy and other successful people. There is a saying: “Surround yourself with people who support your dreams.” It may sound a little selfish but if we all did that, we'd be much happier and more affirmed. In order to create luck, you must feel lucky. Find those people and groups that support your goals. Eradicate as much negativity from your life as you possibly can. The five people closest to you can have the biggest impact on your success: Choose them wisely.
They Exude Gratitude and Believe They Are Lucky
Those who seem to be the lucky ones are that way because they believe they are, in fact, lucky. Further, they're grateful and often give more than they receive. The 2012 California International Marathon was a doozy. Torrential rain, wind, and cold weather threatened many of the participants’ race plans and moods. While it certainly was unlucky to have such poor conditions, many of the runners turned this race into a fun event. They reminded themselves of how grateful they were to be able to run. They were happy to have the support of other runners and coaches. This seemingly unlucky day turned into a memorable day for many. Despite the conditions, a great time was had and many personal bests were still set. Above all, everyone had great stories to share because they all felt lucky to have survived!
They Consistently Work Hard And Expect Success
Jody Kelly is a writer, business owner, trainer, and endurance athlete in Austin. She believes that nothing beats hard work for long-term success in endurance sports. Hard work fosters consistency in training, which eventually leads to success. “If genius is 98 percent perspiration and 2 percent inspiration, then success in endurance sports is, in my opinion, at least 75 percent hard work. The 25 percent that's due to good luck comes mostly from inheriting good genes from your parents,” she says. “As long as we are lucky enough to draw breath, we can do some kind of training for some kind of endurance activity. It's never too late!” Kelly would know. To celebrate her 75th birthday in January, she gathered a group of supporters and rode 75 miles on the Veloway to raise money for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Unlucky people miss great opportunities because they don't feel they deserve them. I challenge you to embrace and be grateful for all of the fortune that comes your way. The more you recognize and appreciate how often it happens, the more you will be able to manifest your own luck in the future. Do random acts of kindness and create luck in someone else's life. By creating luck for others, you develop an abundant cycle where it will come back to you.
I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get lucky!
(And I'm pretty sure tafmhat just made my husband's day.)
Race Prep Tips
As training winds down, your race preparation should begin. Here are a few valuable race week tips to ensure a successful Statesman Cap10K
1) Decrease Mileage — Let the taper begin! At the end of the month, your mileage will decrease to allow for plenty of rest for your legs on race week.
2) Get Plenty of Sleep — It's common to have race week jitters and restlessness, so make sure you are getting quality sleep throughout the month of March. You want to go into the race being well rested.
3) Think Positive — Combat the negative voice in your head that may arise in the days and weeks leading up to the race. Tell yourself, "I am awesome!"
4) Eat Clean and Hydrate — Race week isn't the best time to indulge in that hip new Indian buffet or BBQ joint. Save the gluttony for after the race! Make sure you are eating plenty of quality easily digestible whole foods. No need to overindulge or "carbo load" the night before. Simply enjoy a well-balanced meal with protein and carbs.
5) Arrive Early and Warm Up — Plan your timeline now. When do you want to be at the start? Allow plenty of time for parking, restroom, and even a light warm-up prior to the race. You don't want to find yourself in a line of traffic on race morning.
6) Dress in Layers, but Pack Light — Dress for weather that is ten degrees warmer knowing that you're likely to warm up during the race. You may be cool at the start, but you'll feel great at the finish!
Check out the entire Cap 10K training plan online at Training Peaks!
