Marathon: My personal journey

How you see yourself matters the most!

How you see yourself matters the most! It directs your thoughts and actions. The other day, someone asked me if I was a runner.

I hesitated before answering. I said yes, I am a runner. I caught myself in the "not so confident moment". I have run and finished three full marathons, completed numerous races and have run for the past nine years. Why did I hesitate? I quickly reflected on the fact that so many people have said "you can't be a runner, runners are skinny" or "you are too big to be a runner".

Guess what? What they say doesn't matter. What I see, feel and say matters the most. I will never hesitate on the question ever again!

I have a small challenge for you. Take a picture of yourself with a big smile. Look at it, post it on your favorite social media piece with a tag that says something positive like "I am happy" or "thanks for being my friend" or "I love you". Whether people like it on the platform doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that you smiled big for the camera and posted something positive for the world to see. By the way, the camera loves you!

Monday, August 25, 2014

calico bean market racing goal marathon marathon training marine corp marathon marine corps marathon nike +nike plus PR

Running Behind?

James Connely at 7:57 PM No comments:

As many of you know, I have a goal in mind for the marine corps marathon. My goal is a PR. Today, I was thinking about my last couple of weeks of running. They have been solid from a mileage stand point. However, I need to continue my focus on getting faster.

The past two weeks I have "slid" a bit on my overall pace per mile. It's not something to panic about-yet. I have time to re-calibrate and figure out my plan of attack. The marathon is a long haul with many ups-downs and trips sideways. I am a three time finisher and can attest to the perils of training and the race. Tomorrow, I will re-focus my energies on smiling more during my runs and a slightly elevated pace. The hard work is now. This week I am excited as it is "dress rehearsal week". This means a little less mileage and a half marathon at the end of the week! YES! It's time to test the plan.

Image Source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/54480724@N05/11313318154/

Sunday, August 24, 2014

calico bean market calico bean market racing marathon marathon training tailwind

Go get some!

James Connely at 7:34 PM No comments:

You may or not be aware, but Tailwind Nutrition has a phenomenal product....and the Calico Bean Market just got it in yesterday. WOO HOO!

I have tried many different products for endurance races and nothing compares, nothing. What I like about it is as follows:

great taste
great energy, superior electrolytes
light tasting product and mixes with water
no gut bombs
fuels me for the long haul
for me it got rid of cramping
it provides balance

This reasons are just a few, I suggest you try it out. It's the official race day fuel of Calico Bean Market Racing:)

You can find these two awesome companies on Facebook and Twitter:

@calicobean or https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Calico-Bean-Market
www.calicobeanmarket.com

Tailwind: @gotailwind or https://www.facebook.com/tailwindnutrition

Saturday, August 23, 2014

marathon training Training Work

Trained?

James Connely at 8:15 AM No comments:

In the movie "man on fire", there is a great scene with Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning by the family pool. He is training her to be a better swimmer by focusing on the small detail of the starting gun.

It's an awesome scene with a parallel to business and training for a big race. In either venture, you have to focus on fundamentals and details. This often comes in the form of practice. The work is difficult and can be fun.

You can have fun by changing the way you view the work. Look at it as fun, a privilege and opportunity. Smile when you do it. Enjoy the work, it's your path to success.

Image source:

http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/Europe/Netherlands/South/Zuid_Holland/Leiden/photo1104125.htm

Thursday, August 21, 2014

marathon marathon training self belief

Mental Toughness

James Connely at 7:04 PM No comments:

Being mentally tough in marathon, marathon training and in the race is paramount. You learn it over a period of 16-18 weeks and you test it during the "big" race. Here are my tips for being mentally tough:

1. Believe in yourself. It's the most important thing you can do in life, business or running.
2. Visualize the finish. It's going to get difficult or rough. How do you see the reward? The finish line will be the most amazing feeling.
3. Positive self talk. What you say to yourself will dictate the outcome.
4. Believe in yourself. Did I already say that? Yes. It's that important. You deserve it!

Image Source:
http://www.delmiller.ca/

Monday, August 18, 2014

ALS hawkeyes ice bucket challenge

ALS Challenge!

James Connely at 7:15 PM No comments:

My good friend Dave Sendt creatively used the Big Ten conference to challenge his Hawkeye friends in the ALC ice bucket challenge.

Here is my response:

Iowa Hawkeye ALS Challenge

Go hawks!

Sunday, August 17, 2014

hawkeyes marathon training perspective runchat

Keep it all in perspective

James Connely at 10:17 AM No comments:

How about it? What a great Sunday...woo hoo! I hope you are enjoying it.

The last three weeks have been quite a roller coaster. In Dubuque, we had a tragic accident that took the lives of four high school freshman to be. Robin Williams died. The Middle East continues to display poor behavior and cruelty towards others. I accidentally saw some images from a friend's Twitter feed and I can't "unsee" them.

In life, business and running, you can get caught up in your surroundings. This is great if your surroundings are positive, but difficult if they are not. In today's world, you can get caught up in the bad stuff quickly. The internet allows us to stay informed quicker. It can spread good and bad news FAST!

Just this weekend, I saw some really cool "ice bucket" challenges, neat pictures displaying tremendous LOVE, video's of courage and compassion.

Here is my challenge to you...keep it all in perspective. If you have a difficult run coming up, embrace it. Realize that there are people who would trade you in two seconds. People that would LOVE to run any distance. You have a gift. Realize that a ton of people around you love you and care for you. They really do. They may not show it the way you like. Run the miles, have some fun...enjoy your friends, family, career, etc.

You have truly been blessed in so many ways. Give thanks and pay it forward. Call someone you haven't talked to in awhile and let them know how much they mean to you. ASK them to do the same. Maybe we will have our own version of the "ice bucket" challenge.

On that note, it has occurred to me that we haven't seen much representation in Dubuque, the running community (#runchat), or in the business community. Should we get something going? Hmmmmm....could be fun!

Check this awesome picture from Iowa's kids day. They do such a nice job with the kid's captains. I will research their story and will post:)

Image source:
https://www.facebook.com/hawkeyesports

Saturday, August 16, 2014

marathon training marine corp marathon MCM tailwind Training

Week #6 is in the books!

James Connely at 11:16 AM No comments:

It was week six and it was shark week too! What a great week of training. I ran a long run of 16 and felt great. It was different from last week because I started strong and finished extremely well. On my mind is the hydration/fueling. Right now, I am so excited about the Tailwind Nutrition (@gottailwind), (https://www.facebook.com/tailwindnutrition), +Tailwind Nutrition

My only challenge is the fact that it is a powder. If any of you have a good suggestion for handheld bottles, I am all ears. The marine corps marathon (@marinemarathon) is going to ROCK! I am excited for a rest day tomorrow.

Keep up the great work everyone, enjoy your weekend!

Image Source:

@gottailwind

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Shark Shark week

Tribute to Paul Walker

James Connely at 5:26 AM No comments:

Tonight, we watched an awesome special on Shark Week. It featured the great white shark and Paul Walker. He was a shark lover and conservationist.

I am proud of Paul and hope more people take notice and do more to help the sharks. Rest in peace Paul.

Go sharks!

Image source:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/photos/great-white-sharks/

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Shark week

I love sharks & shark week!

James Connely at 7:13 PM No comments:

I have always love sharks. They are so powerful and majestic. I would love to see more conservation efforts to help them. One of my favorite sharks is the mako shark.

I love the shape and intense look of the mako. This shark is super fast, so I can relate:) woo hoo.

Image source:

http://www.elasmodiver.com/SharkTaggingPictures.htm

Saturday, August 9, 2014

marathon marathon training Run

A great training week!

James Connely at 2:17 PM No comments:

This week had its share of ups and downs on the training front. My long run was 14.5 miles and I had a personal best time for that distance. Here is a cool aspect of that particular run. I started off really slow and had to really focus on finishing stronger than I ever have before. I am so proud of the run because I improved steadily after mile #1. On Monday, I had a difficult run and followed it up with solid runs.

Even though it was a great training week, I am looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. It's going to rock!

I can officially say that week #5 is in the books. I hope you had a great week too!

Image source:
http://www.pinterest.com/raymaysmith/rachel-run/

Monday, August 4, 2014

Fuel marathon training Training

Getting trained!

James Connely at 7:25 PM No comments:

On Monday I posted my thoughts on dealing with a difficult training period or run. Thanks for all of the comments and questions. You all hit the nail on the head. Fueling both mental and physical will have an impact on your training. Rest, sleep and cross training all will help too.

I liken training to the game of chutes and ladders. Sometimes you are sailing along and hit the spot on the board that says "go back 10 spaces".

Training for a marathon does exactly what it is designed to do. It challenges you physically and mentally. It requires you to focus on the end goal. It gets you to ask yourself the tough questions.

Guess what?

It all works! Trust yourself. Trust your training. On marathon day, you will be prepared to answer the questions and deliver the finish!

Try this. Say this to yourself in the mirror: I am a marathoner.

What you say will happen!

Image source:

http://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-4555-S5-Chutes-Ladders/dp/B00000DMF6

marathon training marine corp marathon marine corps marathon Training

Dealing with difficulties

James Connely at 7:21 AM 1 comment:

It is inevitable. You will have some serious challenges or difficulties. In fact, you will likely have a run or two that is VERY difficult.

Let me be more specific. The run is so difficult that you start to question yourself, your technology, your shoes, your approach and your sanity. Today was like that for me. I ran five miles and you would think it was an ultra marathon.

At mile 3 I started to turn on my beloved technology and music too. When I say "turn on", I don't mean turn them on. I mean I was ready to ditch them. WHOA! This is not good. I have run three different full marathons and have been down this road before. Here is what I am going to do:

1. See this as a positive. The marathon is difficult and runs like this will help me deal with the difficulty later.

2. Focus on forward. Tomorrow is another day. I will come back stronger and more focused.

3. Smile. When you smile, anything gets easier. I forgot to do this today.

4. Remember your perspective. It's a privilege to run. Some people aren't as lucky. If you have a bad run, don't beat yourself up about it. Realize that we are so lucky and make it a good one.

5. Focus on the goal of training. The marine corps marathon awaits me in October. I will run with a passion and purpose. This will be my BEST race ever- OORAH!

For any of you who are training for a full marathon, I hope this helps. If you aren't formally training, this can help too. Enjoy yourself and have fun!

Friday, August 1, 2014

calico bean market cross train marathon training

Week 4 is in the books!

James Connely at 6:08 PM 1 comment:

It was an awesome training week. I must say it was difficult toward the second half. I ran 12 miles today and fell victim to my own clumsiness. I tried multi-tasking by sending an email...bad move. I ended my Nike + run and that threw things off.

In addition, I stumbled with my nutrition supplement and spilled it all over. SHOOT. I love the supplement. More on that supplement later....I hear the Calico Bean Market will be stocking it soon, which has me SUPER excited!

This week I ran great and worked hard on the cross training. I feel like the cross training is making such a HUGE difference!

The weekend is a special time and I hope you enjoy your time with family and friends. I will post some more stuff tomorrow.

Rock and Roll!