_SportyBrains_

I recently had the privilege of doing a podcast interview with RunnersConnect 's "Run to the Top" weekly program covering a wide variety of questions on overcoming mental barriers in running. This is a topic I love discussing because the longer I run and work in the field of sport psychology, the more I feel comfortable discussing this topic and it does seem to be helpful for others to apply to their own running and lives. Some feedback and questions I've gotten since center a lot around the 'critical moment' in a race, hard workout, etc and I wanted to address some of this here and try and apply it to a larger scope beyond the road or track. This post kind of springs off of my previous; I guess I'm on a "moments" kick-who knows? Anyhow....So, for starters, I'll explain what I refer to as the 'critical moment' before we get into everything. My definition simply is simply this:  it's one that moment in a race, workout, exam, p...

Note: I was going to wait and post this until after Hurricane Harvey and his awful flooding completely ran its course, but on second thought, I think some of us could use a little positivity and perspective. The title just makes you want to read this post, right?!  Ok maybe not, and that’s okay. Anyhow, this is a story about perspective. So, let’s begin as I am driving down 290 for quite a stretch back to The Woodlands from a weekend in the Hill Country. As much as I love spending time up there and the slower pace of things does wonders for my mental state-on this drive, however, I’m, well, not feeling it- after perhaps too long and intense a weekend-and I'm stuck in one of those lingering bad moods (I mean seriously, these things are annoying!). Sleep deprivation, fatigue from training, and apprehension of a presentation I had to give that evening had me all up in my head. Actually, let’s replace apprehension with thoughts of “why the heck did I accept this assignme...

After years of writing a blog and then years of not writing one, I was inspired to start back up again while being stuck inside during a Tropical Storm in SE Texas. Gotta make the best of a rough situation, right??  In previous iterations, I have written my fair share of product reviews, race reports, and about mental training techniques, and I plan on touching on those, but mostly wanted to tie together and more than anything just talk about life on here and how to develop and use a growth mindset.  For those who have never read or followed before, I’m a Counselor and Sport Psychology Consultant by trade and my biggest passions are running, the outdoors, and helping others out-so much I do it for a living. And I’m always game to hear or share a good story!  Hope you find it useful and sometimes entertaining.  I’m not sure exactly where this thing’s going to go but let’s get started! First up is a little post about selfies, dinosaurs, and perspective. I ...

If you are as big of a running nerd as I am, there are probably a few running websites that show up on your Facebook feed every now and again. While I have learned to pass over many of these articles during the work day, a blog by Michigan State’s Rachele Schulist immediately grabbed my attention. Why? I had never heard of her before but she bravely put up a long Instagram post about her struggle with disordered eating and body image and boldly asserting that "the idea that you have to look a certain way and be thin to be a fast runner is bullshit”. Also included in her post was a side by side picture of her present day and in 2014, before she sustained a major injury due to under-fueling. It was refreshing to see a D1 college athlete-often a subculture that is most victimized by the thinness culture-speak out. Kudos to FloTrack and then Sports Illustrated for picking up this story. I think Schulist’s words are effective simply because she has experienced both sides of the ...

Hey Everyone! Who's ready for a race report?? How about 4 of them??.... don't worry-for the sake of scrolling fingers and attention spans, I'm writing these bad boys in a synopsis-type fashion! Anyway.... onto Fall 2016: while nothing earth-shattering, this was a season I have been wanting to have for a while and things really seemed to come together well. One thing I like about it is that it was solid overall but not without a little challenge or two thrown in. The longer I race, the more I value a little bump in the road here and there as it makes the good stuff that much better and memorable. So where did this fall take me? Lets see: One and half cross-country races (yes, one and a half), two 5ks, and yesterday's 5-miler. Each one had their own takeaway and I believe I gave each my best I had that day. So let's break em down, shall we? I'll even use "SOAP note" style for efficiency ;) GE Run Thru The Woods 5-Miler: November 14, 2016 While it...

Hi Everyone! I'm sure you missed my posting as much as I have-you likely haven't, but that's okay! After a few months of simply riding the grind of training, practicing, and everything in between I thought I'd throw some more content up here, but in a different location as I went ahead and let the old domain go and decided to just keep it simple here. We'll start today with a little story and what I took from the experience. Enjoy. Training's going well. I'm currently on a steady routine of 6 days per week with a faster day consisting of timed intervals, what I call "Faster Friday's", and mileage hovering from 40-50ish. Nothing really special or different from what I usually do, minus the mandatory hip stability exercises that get a lot more attention as I continue to do this stuff. I can't say there is too much that I would change right now on that end except for continuing to gain some confidence in my body and ability, and that comes ...