Team In Training SGV Bushido - Way of The TNT Warrior

The SGV TNT BUSHIDO

“Way of the TNT Warrior”

~adapted from the So Cal Coyotes Trail Bushido who adapted from someone else..who adapted from another... and then someone else. Pass it on!

0.        Your Physical Health is Ground Zero

Running, walking, training should enhance your health, not tear you apart. Recovery is key. Always keeping in mind the point of doing this is to maximize your well being. If you are constantly pushing it, never taking time for recovery you will soon break down or burn out. Keep an eye on your energy levels and your physical aches and pains. Either we take time to self-maintain or soon we we’ll be doing all the things we should have been doing all along while injured.

1. Respect The Run/Walk/Training

Running, walking and training are a gift.  Always strive to appreciate that you can move your body in an inspired, elegant and amazing way. Even a “bad” run is still part of a great day more often than not.  You are challenging yourself for YOU , for others (cancer patients and their families) and sport. Your body will react and you will become stronger.  Running, walking, training is one of the greatest representations of, “you get out what you put in”.

2. Respect Your Fellow Athlete

Anyone who runs, walks, bikes, hikes, swims, snowshoes etc. deserves our respect. Those who get out there and JUST DO IT, it doesn’t matter the distance, speed or frequency, on that day you are an athlete and we are humbled by you.

3. Respect the Roads and Trails 

No matter where you live, you can always visit some amazing places to run. Be it a local park, a side trail at the Rose Bowl, a mountain, canyon or beach, Earth deserves our deepest respect. It’s not enough to not litter. Pick up litter. We are using the trails to better ourselves; let’s leave the trails better too. Step up your game. It will feel really good and you will inspire others to do the same.

    4.  Remember Where You Started

Whether it was 28 years ago or 28 days ago, remember how far you have come. Do not waste time wishing you were better, faster, more fit than another time in your life. Work to be better NOW.  There was a time when physical activity (running, walking, training) was difficult, laborious, or even punishment, but now, you can enjoy yourself, have fun and improve with mindful remembrance.

    5.  Never Envy (Another Athlete)

Much of an athlete’s success is determined prior to their workout’s beginning. Never begrudge someone else the hard work they did to improve. Measure yourself against yourself and be generous with that measurement (be glass half full)

    6.   LEAD (By Example)

Commit yourself to having an impact of others (runners/walkers and “non” athletes alike). Training doesn’t just improve you physically; it improves your overall health, well being, vitality, and mentality. Reinvest that energy in others by inspiring them to take up a physical activity that inspires them. If they hate running or don’t run/walk, invite them to give it another shot with new perspective. 99% of us loved to run when we were children. We didn’t even think about it. “Don’t run in the house, the hall, by the pool etc”. “You messed up! Run two laps”, our PE teachers bellowed! Somewhere we took the wrong turn. If you found your way back to that joy (or never lost it, spread the love. Even if you inspire just one in every ten people, that one drop in the pond will send shockwaves through their life and to those around them. It is worth it.

    7.  The “All In” Mentality

You never know which run/walk or race will be your last or last for awhile. Don’t take it for granted. It’s one thing to take an easy day in a tough week; it’s another thing altogether to just run because your training schedule says so. Don’t lose sight of this simple, yet profound thing that we do and how much we miss it when it’s not available as an option. As Team in Training Athletes we do share a bit of the cancer fighter’s struggle. Cancer patients and families suffer. They suffer through the fear and the pain of treatment. We suffer too. Training can be tough and there are days when it can be difficult. Remember that our suffering is a joyous suffering done in large part to end the suffering of those who courageously take on cancer and fight for LIFE.

 

 8.  Have Fun!

“If you are not having fun, you’re doing it wrong.” – K. Benton

It’s better to sacrifice performance goals than it is to sacrifice the enjoyment of running/walking. Of course it is fun to improve, but if you make it to the end of a long training program, fall short at a race, and have the thought or feeling that “I just wasted four to five months of my life” or more, you’ve ripped yourself off in so many ways.  The journey is what counts! Start with an attitude of gratitude and the race results will follow. No, it will not happen over night. Our sport requires patience.

    9.  Finish Strong!

Finish your races strong. Give it your all even if your all is a slow march to the finish line. Sometimes finishing strong is simply about your attitude. When close to the finish, line it up and knock it out. Don’t quit. The  two exceptions are injury or when you have spent 50% or more of a race running/walking with someone (teammate or otherwise). Though shall not drop the hammer on partnership at the very end. If you are running with a partner and for position you agree to part ways prior to the last 20% of the race.

    10. There Are Many Eyes in “TEAM”

When it comes to training (running/athletic walking) or a race there will be good days and ugly days.  YOU are part of a TEAM, especially when you don the Team in Training jersey. Represent yourself as you would want your teammates to represent you. Especially when you have a bad day. The great thing about failing when part of a TEAM is you get to celebrate the success of your teammates instead of wallowing in self pity. Even when you go to a race when you are a “TNTer of one”, we are globally recognized and you represent us all. You represent yourself, your teammates, TNT alumni and future teammates. Make the TEAM proud, especially when your performance isn’t what you had hoped.

"All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one... characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers" - Henry David Thoreau

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