LSU

(The nature of my work with teams and individuals is private.  I make a practice out of not discussing this work with others, unless a client tells me to address it publically or if it is mentioned by a subject in the media. So it is rare that I'll discuss specifics- only generalities.)

I taught my first session with the LSU basketball team this past weekend. I look forward to going back to Baton Rouge monthly to work with the team.  This is my third opportunity to work with a Will Wade team (UT- Chattanooga and VCU previously).  Coach Wade is a master at building and maintaining a wining culture everywhere he's been. From Pete Maravich to Shaq, Tiger Nation takes much pride in their storied hoops tradition.  However, in recent years, there hasn't been much to cheer about.  This is about to change, as  the turn-around of the LSU basketball team is in full-effect.  I'm grateful to be able to play a small part in this.

JeQuan gets it

I had the pleasure of working with the VCU men's basketball team the past two seasons.  Under Coach Will Wade's leadership, we implemented and facilitated a mindfulness training program for the players.  It was a wonderful experience. VCU's point guard for those two seasons was JeQuan Lewis.  As JeQuan begins his foray into professional basketball, it is rewarding to see that he is still using the techniques we stressed at VCU.  He gets it.  Kudos, JeQuan!    

 From a Richmond news station:

rest and recovery & a new kind of streak?

Doing anything intentional over the course of 922 days is not easy.  One of the primary reasons I started the run streak on 11/27/2014 was to strengthen my mental discipline.  While I don't think I was necessarily lacking mental stamina, I believe it's something you can never have enough of.

It has now been over a week since I have run or exercised. Not being able to do something you are used to doing every day feels weird. However, my body seems to be healing.  While my knees are a bit creaky (and will continue to be), my foot seems better. While I'm chomping at the bit to exercise, I'm holding myself back to let my body mend itself. I'm hoping to heal enough so I can run with my friend, Will Wade, while I'm down in Baton Rouge the end of this week working with his LSU basketball team.

While the very wise Sakyong Mipham stated in his book, Running with the Mind of Meditation, that "Running is running, and meditation is meditation," he does express the sentiment that these two activities support one another.  To achieve optimal harmony, I believe that motion is good for the body, just as stillness nourishes the mind. Simply stated, I see running as an extention of my meditation practice.  It enables me to clear my mind (or at least see what's on it). I don't listen to music when I run, and I prefer not to wear my GPS watch, unless I'm running in an unfamiliar place. As with meditation, I often focus my awareness on my breath when I'm running.  Sometimes I will focus on the sound of my feet hitting the ground as they play out a rhythm.  Other times, I'll time this sound with a mantra- I'll say to myself  "Mind-Body-One" over and over to the rhythm of my foot strike.

Friends have asked me if I will start another running streak.  I have no intention of doing this.  My goal is to be able to run again a couple of days per week without pain.  A significant part of a mindfulness practice is to learn to separate one's self from the ego. After running injured for about six months, I have realized that I wasn't enjoying running anymore.  I was simply doing it to keep the streak going.  This was ego-driven.  Often there is great power in simply "letting go", especially things you have no control over.  

 While the run streak may be over, a new one has started.  I have always strived to keep my meditation practice consistent. I'm happy to report that as of this morning, I have not missed a session in 80 consecutive days.  A new streak begins.    

Postscript: I can't recommend the Insight Meditation Timer app highly enough.  It's great and free.

My run streak ended today after 922 days

"One man's obsession is another man's dedication."- anonymous

You can learn a lot about yourself and life in general after running every day for 922 consecutive days. Over the years, through running and meditation, I have learned to listen to my body.  When I woke up this morning, my body told me that my run steak should end.  I obliged. 

I started this journey on November 27, 2014.  It was documented in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/23/sports/ncaabasketball/virginia-commonwealth-coach-leads-by-example-one-mile-at-a-time.html?mcubz=0&_r=0

I consider running to be a part of my daily meditation practice.  Like with meditation, I often focus on my breathing when running. This enables me to see and feel the mind/body connection.  On a good run, I feel utter joy. On a bad run, I just hurt. During the past few months I've been experiencing more bad runs than good ones.

As my body heals during the next few weeks, I hope to rekindle my joy for running. On a deeper level,  I have come to the realization that there is great power in letting go of things that don't serve you anymore.  Running does not define my sole identity, but it is important to me.  It always will be. 

Postscript
I take great pride that this streak has inspired other friends to start their own run streaks.  I know they will carry on.  Streak on, brothers:  Coach Will Wade (LSU), Coach Jamion Christian (Mount St. Mary's), Coach Jodie Smith (Alabama State), and Rick Hemingway (my fellow Ironman Sherpa)!