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To all of you who have supported us here at the ALive & Awake podcast, we want you to know that we truly appreciate your support.  Scott and I are closing the book on the Alive & Awake podcast, HOWEVER, we are starting a new chapter with a brand new podcast called the First Mile podcast.  The First Mile podcast is created specifically for those who are looking to transform their health & fitness through running.  We will be providing the same quality content, with tips training advice and information that will help you be the best runner that you can be, and achieve your fitness goals in the process.  So PLEASE, come on over and catch us on The First Mile podcast, available on most podcast streaming platforms. We'll see you there!!

No one likes to be uncomfortable. Most of us prefer to stay in our comfort zones, because that is where we feel safe and secure. But progress is not made in the safety of your comfort zone. Real progress is made when we decide to set aside our fears and be willing to get uncomfortable and try new things.  Today Scott and I discuss the idea of getting out of your comfort zone in order to be the best that you can be.  

Overtraining, lack of sleep, stress, etc. They all take a toll and can literally drain us of physical energy. Today, Scott and I talk about how being tired affects our attitude and our approach to training and how it impacts performance. 

You've trained, you've prepared, you've worked hard, but for some reason, on race day it it just doesnt come together. You're body just doesnt have it, or something unforeseen occurs, and you are forced to bow out of the race.  Seeing a "did not finish" in the official race results can be devastating, especially when you really felt prepared. However, there are lessons to be learned from a DNF. A DNF can actually provide us with an opportunity to look back, study and learn from what went wrong. That reflection makes us stronger, and makes us better athletes going forward.  Today, SCott and I discuss how to handle a DNF, and how to use that negative emotion and turn it into something positive. 

No matter what type of an event you are training for, (5k, marathon, beer mile, Krispy Kreme Challenge) there always needs to be some specificity to your training. Logging random junk miles accomplishes nothing. To be a better athlete, you need to get specific about your goals, and be equally specific about how you train to reach those goals. 

Today Scott and I try to answer some of the most common questions that we have been seeing lately from new athletes and those who are just starting out.  This episode is a little messy and somewhat comical at the start, but we get it done. BEcause its not about how you start, but how you finish.  Have questions you want answered on the podcast? Let us know!!

Run. Walk. Jog .Walk. Start. Stop. It's happened to all of us. Face it, some workouts/races are just going to suck. It may not be pretty, and it may not always go according to plan, but the most important thing is that you just get it done.  Today, Scott and I talk about the frustrations of when things dont go as planned. 

Too many beginner athletes are held back by fear, self doubt, lack of self esteem, etc, and these things often prevent them from ever even getting started. However, you need to know that no matter your body type, weight, or fitness level, YOU CAN DO THIS. All you need to do is give yourself a chance.  Its time to kick fear in the face, damn what everyone else thinks and just do it. As athletes, we also need to recognize that for some, even the smallest accomplishment is a big deal. We need to let our fellow athletes know that we are behind them by supporting them and encouraging them in their efforts, and sharing in their victories. When we support each other as a community, we all win.   

Everyday, everywhere, millions of people suffer with anxiety.  Anxiety can be crippling for some. While some choose medications to cope with anxiety, we would like offer a more natural solution. RUNNING.  In my own personal journey with anxiety, I have found that running gives me the time and the headspace, to step back, re-evaluate and look at things through a new lens. Although not a cure, I find that running often provides me with a new perspective. Running gives me the opportunity to step back, and see that things are not always as bad as they seem.  We are not doctors or pscyhologists, but through our own experience, have found that running can help ease the stress, nd lighten the load of the weight of anxiety. 

No matter the area of your life, you should consistently strive for improvement and to be better than you were yesterday. Today SCott and I discuss 6 characteristics or traits that we all need to exemplify in order to be the best that we can be. 

As athletes, we want to be the best that we can be. However, we often focus on our strengths and shy away from our weaknesses. Why? We dont want to address weakness because its hard. We'll never see real breakthrough if all we do is focus on the things we are already good at. Focusing on our weaknesses makes us stronger mentally and also makes us more well rounded athletes. If you want to be a better all around athlete, then this episode is for you. 

As athletes, we often feel guilty and spending the money, taking the time away from family, etc in order to reach our goals. Today, Scott and I discuss how to deal with the guilt and fear that comes with training and racing and the importance of communication in building a support team around you. We also talk about the art of compromising and finding creaative ways to "meet in the middle" when it comes to balancing family and training. 

Today, Scott and I discuss how to handle the frustration and monotony that often comes with training. Sometimes we look to outside sources for validation, which can sometimes lead to unfairly comparing ourselves to others, instead of looking within in order to discover what drives us. 

Running and triathlon require a certain amount of physical skill and strength. However, when things get tough, it becomes more of a mental battle. Today, Scott and I discuss the idea that the body is capable of far more than we ever thought possible, but in order to unlock that physical potential, we first need to get over the mental hurdles and learn to set aside fear and self doubt. If you can be strong mentally, anything is possible. 

Today, Scott and I discuss some of the most overlooked aspects of training. Excellence is in the details. When we pay attention to the little things, is when we progress the most. Today we talk about how things such as proper warm up and cool down, sleep, rest & recovery can help make you the best athlete you can be. 

Life is busy, and can often get in the way of training. Today, Scott and I discuss some simple things that you can do to free up a little extra time to get your training in, even when life gets busy. 

Today, Scott and I discuss the thing that holds most new athletes back, and that is getting out of your comfort zone. Fear and self doubt are parylizing. Not only will they prevent you from even trying something new, they will hold you back from being everything that you aspire to be. Taking that first step, is the hardest, and it starts with overcoming the fear and self doubt that resides in your head. 

Today, Scott and I discuss the basics of training zones, how they work and what they mean to you as an athlete. We talk about the 5 different training zones from long, slow distance through maximal speed workouts and they integrate into your training. If you're new to training zones, this episode is for you. 

IF you're new to triathlon, you may find the swim to be harder than you think. Today Scott and I discuss some basic swim tips that will help you navigate the swim and keep things simple. 

The most important episode we've done. This episode is bigger than running, it's bigger than triathlon. Its bigger than us. PLEASE LISTEN.  PLEASE SHARE.  #blacklivesmatter  #raceforchange