Welcome to the Altoona Triathlon Club
Winter Focus
As this never ending winter drones on I believe we are forced to really reevaluate the need to focus and prioritize our agendas. I am constantly reminded of a seminar I attended quite a few years ago now. I was listening to the head coach of the UCLA women’s softball team speak; when she hit on a topic that has long become a running joke between my wife and I.
It was all about boxes. This may sound a bit odd but let me get there. 
She was speaking about the difference between men and women in athletics; though once you hear the analogy you can apply it to virtually anything. In our lives we carry boxes. We have the school box, the marriage box, mortgage, kids, work, training, and so on.
Men generally have the innate ability to open, close, and use one box at a time. Women on the other hand, well, unfortunately their ability to open, close, and use boxes is a bit more frustrating. According to the coach, if men want to train they train. Done. Now women on the other hand, they have all their boxes open. Women in this coach’s opinion have a very difficult time closing boxes. To get them to focus the coach would ask the girls prior to stepping on her field to close their boxes and prepare to open only one.
My wife and I have applied this philosophy to our life. When we find we are unable to concentrate we take a quick break, and look at all the boxes that are open at the time. With a bit of concentration we are able to close a box and move forward. So with that being said as the snow is flying and bitter winds force us indoors; remember to close your boxes before you prepare to train. It will make the repetitive and often boring nature of being active in one place a bit more eventful if you can focus on your one box.
As Always,
Happy Training
Jason, the Pres…