Friday, December 25, 2015

A Journey Ends and a New Life Begins

     22 Years seems like it would be a lifetime.  For a child growing up it is part of the forever principle.  Mostly because 22 years is a long time in a young mind.  They know what lies ahead tomorrow, maybe going to the park or recess at school.  They do not think that far ahead.  Frankly I did not either.  I went through life when I was younger , living for the moment.  
     
     That was until I became an active Soldier in the Army.  Then I had to think three and four steps ahead all the time.  I had to know if what I did today worked what havoc would it cause in two days.  That is right I learned for every action there is an equal or greater reaction.  That is not the only lesson learned of course.  Another and greater one is, living for the day does not eave a lot of room for anyone but yourself.  You must stop and look around every once in a while or the world will zap by you along with actual fun things in life.  

     The last 12 months I let my Blog go dark as I transitioned from an awesome journey into my new life.  I tried to focus on getting everything squared away for my family and me.  This is huge since for the better part of those 22 years I put everyone else ahead of me.  I pushed Soldiers to their best and watched them succeed (still watching many) as Soldiers and in life.  So part of that learning curve was figuring out that helping me has to be in the equation sometimes.  Otherwise it leads to months of catching up when you could have already been there.  

     The mainstay that has followed me from old to new is, you guessed it, Running.  :)  I have also added other elements now.  As my body appreciates not being beat to a pulp daily from the life I led, and begins to heal I have added, weight lifting, Biking, and wait for it...   Yoga.   Yes the MisFit is now an advocate for Yoga.  I am about to try CrossFit on my terms as well, not because I was told to.  I look forward to this new challenge as I enter a new year.  

     This year as I move forward I am not worrying about a schedule of races, nor trying to make marks on my PR board.  If I do PR of course I will be stoked like anyone however, it will not control my running at all.  I also am focussing on the Team MisFit principles this year, so that will be my main team.   We may open recruitment in the next month for new team members.  The team currently has a Texas Leader and 2 in Tennessee.  I know their are possible leaders in the Northeast and Northwest (might have to twist some arms). 

      I am also going to continue providing running groups for the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org) and join in on more events with Team Red White and Blue (www.teamrwb.org)  I have also started a fellowship program with The Mission Continues (https://missioncontinues.org) and will be a part of the Yellow Ribbon Fund (www.yellowribbonfund.org) and their taking up fitness team (www.yrftuf.org). I will also remain as an ambassador for the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation (www.chriskylefrogfoundation.org).   All are veteran or first responder groups which either help warriors/ responders  or challenge them to give back.  

So I guess I will be busy anyway.  

     12 things to look forward to for me this year in no specific order:
1.   Successfully complete Fellowship with TMC
2.   Complete at least 1 race per month for all of 2016
3.   Run everyday at least 2 miles
4.   Find a company who wants to take a chance with me
5.   Get Team MisFit and its ambassadors out in the world
6.   Grow Team Beckerman for the Mountain Man Memorial March by 4 people
7.   Watch my mini me become a successful published author
8.   Push Haley's Team Twilight Event to new heights in this the 10th year.  
9.   Push other warriors to greatness as the enter new chapters of life
10. Start a Masters Program
11. Watch my first Boston Qualifier crush the course (TeamSwole)
12. Take Fitness to a new level

What 12 things do you want to achieve this coming year?  How will you do it?  

See you in a couple weeks!     

Saturday, January 10, 2015

A New Year


As 2015 has entered our lives, plans are in full swing for an active year.  I have noticed that the "season" never really ends in the endurance world.  This makes sense since as an endurance athlete you must be able to endure long hours of logging miles.

My last race was supposed to be the Annapolis Classic in 2014.  It became my first ever DNS (Did Not Start).  I went to an awesome trail camp in Texas with Team RWB in November, and messed my ankle up pretty good on the last full day at camp.
www.teamrwb.org


Over the next month I healed and did ground work preparing for the next turn of the calendar.  I have done more weight training in the last 6 weeks than I usually do and I feel much better.  This year will be a better race year for me as I fall under the colors of Big Sexy Racing Rx3, I return as an Ambassador for Hammer Nutrition, Hyperwear, IceDot , X-1 Audio and a member of Team Tri-Lunatics.  I am also more involved with Team RWB and of course still with WWP.  I hope to represent all very well this year.



www.hammernutrition.com

www.hyperwear.com

www.icedot.org

www.woundedwarriorproject.org
www.bigsexyracing.net

www.x-1.com



For 2014 I had a structured race schedule planned out.  For 2015 as I transition from Military to Civilian life my calendar will be filled as I go.  I have three events on the books so far.  The Tribe ½ marathon in Williamsburg, Va,
22 Feb.  The Country Music Marathon, Nashville, TN 25 April.  My first 70.3 Ironman Chattanooga May 17.  I know I will fill the gaps as I go but I am not stressing the events as much as the training this year.





With my retirement form the Army means planning for a party to thank all those who supported me throughout the two decades of service.  The timing of it this year also will coincide with my mini me graduating HS so it will be a dual event (easier on the cook, me).   Then 1 month later will be the Annual Haley's Team Twilight run.  Busy again till July, I would not have it any other way.

www.haleysteam.com
 


What are you up to this year?

Good Luck in all you do this year, may your feet be swift, your wheels be fast and the waves flow with you.