My how the time flies
When you look back and wonder
How did we get here?
When did that happen?
The promise that was promised
Had diminished over time
And left the wonder of why
And can the path be adjusted
To fulfill the destiny of the wonder
That was first wondered by me
“Life is short…running makes it seem longer”.
(Baron Hansen)
September 5, 2021 is coming! This date may only be circled on my calendar, but it has importance to my Walk into the Future.
The Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon will take place on 9/5/21. This year’s race marks the 20th anniversary of the Rock n Roll series in Virginia Beach and will also be the last time this race is run. Received an email last week stating the city of Virginia Beach and the Rock n Roll series agreed to make this the last hoorah. This is my first visit to Virginia Beach, and I will have to make the most of it.
The date of the half marathon is significant to me due to my training program. I did not have a huge half marathon training focus in 2020 due to COVID-19. I got miles in but never found my training pace because most races were cancelled due to COVID protocols.
Fast forward to 2021 and races are slowly coming back and the running tourist in me is excited to hit the road again. I am looking forward to exploring new locations and testing myself against courses I have only read about or seen pictures.
So, what’s the problem you may ask? Great question and thanks! The problem is: it is HOT down here!!! 😊
I will not get into the concept of climate change, global warming, etc. but this south Florida heat and humidity is impacting my training program.
I officially launched my half marathon training on 6/28/21. This put me two months out from the Virginia Beach Rock N Roll half and should be plenty of time to get mentally and physically prepared to run. I am getting my runs and bike rides in but struggle to extend my miles due to the heat and humidity in my current location. My long runs top out at 7 miles because I want to be mindful of the impact the heat has while training.
I get up earlier for my weekend runs but the temperature hits the mid-80s by 9 am and only goes up from there. Not complaining because most of my runs on done close to the water so I can always stop and make it a beach outing when I am done with my runs.
I did not think the four-hour drive from Tallahassee to Fort Pierce would make much difference on my running program but there is a different level of heat down here. Again, not complaining but stating a fact. This is a fact I must come to grips with soon to keep preparing for future races. I targeted several local 5ks to keep my competitive juices flowing but need these short races to get me race ready.
I added more bike rides (gym and outside) to get more miles on my legs to build up the threshold needed to run and complete a half marathon. This is a new approach for me but a safe way to extend my training without having to deal with the south Florida heat.
I recently added treadmill runs to my training program. I am not a fan of running on a treadmill, but this equipment allows me to log miles and push myself to get ready for the actual process of running a half marathon. My new training routine consists of morning miles on my regular route near the beach and then a treadmill session with equal miles.
The one treadmill trick I started using is to cover the time/distance/speed display. Running on the treadmill is a mentally draining exercise for me and I believe it is because the display does not match what I THINK I’m accomplishing. Simply put, it feels like I have run further than the display shows so I get frustrated with the process. Covering the display allows me to forget about the distance and time and just put in the work. I see multiple people who appear to enjoy their time on the treadmill, and I am amazed watching them. I need to get over my treadmill DREAD and just put in the work.
Looking forward to cooler weather so I can get back to longer outside runs again. Did I mention it is hot in South Florida? 😊
“Don’t be a jogger. They are the ones who find dead bodies”.
(RuntotheFinish)
(Image by Devanath from Pixabay)
“Authentic leadership is revealed in the alignment of what you think, what you say, and what you do”.
(Michael Holland)
Authentic Leadership continues to be a driving force in my daily interactions. Amazing how I stumbled across this leadership style during my dissertation process back in 2013 but it is something I genuinely believe makes a difference in the work environment.
I am also amazed by the number of folks who only know about this leadership style after talking with me or sitting in one of my presentations. Looks like I need to do a better job of spreading the benefits of Authentic Leadership. 😊
I was asked back in January if I would be willing to be the guest speaker for the local Association of Florida Colleges (AFC) monthly professional development program. Inspiration Man was quick to say yes, and the topic they requested was Authentic Leadership. I had to dust off my files but thought this was an excellent opportunity to share Authentic Leadership with colleagues at my new school.
This was one of the first time I was able to stand in front of a group of people since early 2020 due to COVID-19. I was excited to be in front of live folks again in my efforts to move the crowd.
I started the presentation with a brief introduction to Authentic Leadership and the benefits it brings to the work environment.
Authentic Leadership is rooted in positive psychology and allows leaders to improve their self-awareness and regulated behaviors. The importance of self-awareness becomes more evident daily as I interact with others.
All Authentic Leadership variables are important but none of the others come into play if a leader is not self-aware. This was a major feature of my presentation to my AFC colleagues. There were several head nods when I made this point and a couple folks asked if they could expand on how self-awareness helps them daily.
The four variables were shared: self-awareness, relational transparency, internalized moral perspective and balanced processing. The variables were highlighted together as a quick overview and then I did a complete breakdown to show how each enhances the work environment.
I spent extra time on balanced processing because I want to train new leaders to understand how important this is in the work environment. Staff will speak up with new ideas IF they believe input is wanted and will be acted on (as applicable). Leaders who want input from staff need to let them know they are willing to listen but there are times when something truly cannot be done. Nothing wrong with this because it enhances relational transparency in the work environment.
The AFC members had a lot of questions about Authentic Leadership and how they can improve their self-awareness. I am happy with the dialogue we started during the AFC event and look forward to sharing Authentic Leadership with other organizations soon. Got a couple requests to bring my presentation into departmental meetings and I will say YES when the invites come in. 😊
How has your Authentic Leadership knowledge grown?
“The power for authentic leadership is found not in external arrangements, but in the human heart”.
(Parker J. Palmer)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinkruse/2013/05/12/what-is-authentic-leadership/?sh=6f7ed67fdef7
(Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay)
“A podcast is a great way to develop relationships with hard-to-reach people”.
(Tim Paige)
The Walk into the Future blog has provided me with multiple opportunities to share my words, thoughts, and experiences with others.
I started this journey in 2018 with an idea of the direction I wanted to go but had no idea the process would be so much fun for me. The ability to be creative and explore adventures are two key elements that allow me to continue to produce content for the blog. I love the comments, texts, and emails I receive when something I write speaks to others—I guess you can say I am finding my voice as I develop content.
One area that puts a huge smile on my face is when one of my tree branches reaches out and want to produce content with me. My smile gets even bigger when the request comes from TWO tree branches! 😊
My tree branches, Darryl and April Lovett have a successful platform: Success in Black and White.
Proud of these two as they tackle issues others may shy away from, but they have fun as they do it. Love the fact they move forward as a POWER couple; their energy is contagious and makes you want to get up and make a difference in the world.
They asked me to join them for a podcast episode and I immediately said yes. Saw this as a perfect way to catch up with them and share a little bit of Walk into the Future with their growing audience. Please note, recording the episode was more fun than I ever imagined—well done Darryl and April!
We were able to catch up during the podcast and cover a lot of content in the one-hour timeframe. They asked great questions and were not afraid to follow-up for clarity. The question that really got me energized was: What is your calling and why are you passionate about it?
I have been asked this question in multiple ways but really enjoy the opportunity to continue to share my WHY. My why is to leave everyone better than when I met them. It took me a few years to put this down into a simple statement, but it has been with me for some time now.
I was able to dive a bit deeper while speaking with Darryl and April during the podcast. My desire to help others started for me in high school. I had a Guidance Counselor who did not even try to help me plan my life after high school. I had several friends who got excellent advice from this same counselor, but she only told me to join the military. We never discussed how to apply to colleges, how to apply for financial aid or anything about further education and the doors it would open. Fast forward and I hold three degrees without ever having a student loan—so maybe it was a good thing my high school guidance counselor did not help me with the process. 😊
My why is driven by the lack of support I received from my guidance counselor. I provide mentorship to everyone that crosses my path because I do not want them to have to struggle because I would not take the time to help them. I wanted to make sure Darryl, April and their audience understood how important this is for me. The passion I display when working with my tree branches and potential branches is because I want to help them grow. Sounds cliché but it is something I live every day.
A funny but true aspect of how I developed my why is I do not remember the name of my high school guidance counselor. Imagine, this lady fueled my passion with her lack of attention to my future and I do not remember her name, but she has allowed me to touch so many lives in a positive way. Good things come out of bad situations. Please note, I would not change a thing—I seem to be doing okay with this Walk into the Future journey.
Discovered during the podcast episode April also considers herself a running tourist! We got a chance to discuss why I run and the positive impacts it has on my daily journey. Hoping we can all get back to running, exploring, and traveling soon—there are still races out there to run.
So, I repeat the question Darryl and April asked me:
What is your calling and why are you passionate about it?
Thank you, Darryl and April for allowing me to come on your podcast! It was fun! 😊 Irie!
“Podcasting is great. Total freedom”.
(Bill Burr)
Dream Weaver
Be careful what you dream
Because sometimes dreams do come true
So, what’s the problem you may ask?
The dream you dream may in fact not be for you
Life provides opportunities for you to reach your goals
The key to this process is to know the correct path to follow
Look beyond tomorrow
Search for the things you need
Use this knowledge and your dreams to succeed
“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo—far more flexible than you would ever imagine.”
(Jodi Picoult)
Resilience is a measure of how much you want something and how much you are willing, and able, to overcome obstacles to get it. It has to do with your emotional strength. (Dictionary.com)
“You are only 4 minutes away from the top”.
(Smoky Mountain hiker, November 2020)
Thought I had a good handle on what resiliency really means but discovered I needed to redefine how it is shown. I viewed resiliency from the spectrum of work or emotional intelligence but my recent hike on the Chimney Tops Trail in the Smoky mountains gave me a new appreciation of resiliency.
The hiker from the quote above provided me with inspiration to keep going but I had to decide mentally and physically to keep going up the mountain. The trail was listed as a moderate hike, but I added a new level of difficulty by tackling Chimney Tops after 3 other hikes on the same day. A better plan would have been to save this hike for the next day, but I wanted to experience as much as possible in a short period of time.
I left my hotel with the intent to make four hikes and that concept drove me to keep going up the mountain. I would have felt I was letting myself down if I did not stick with the plan. Also, wanted to test myself to determine how much I could accomplish in one day. My thought process was to make it up the mountain and then celebrate at the top.
I took more breaks on this hike than ever before and was slow on the ascent. My legs felt like I had run a half marathon at this point—in fact, my total hiking mileage for the day was 15.4 miles. Not a bad day walking in the Smoky mountains.
I view my ability to keep pressing onward as a sign of resiliency. I could have tapped out and nobody would have known I gave up on my last hike if I did not bring it up. I could have taken the failure to make it to the top of my last hike to the grave, but I am sure it would have bothered me knowing I gave up. Trust me, I understand my making it to the top of the Chimney Top trail does not make the world a better place, but I needed to make it up there.
I take pride being an active mentor for my tree branches and encourage them to work towards their goals. Quitting on the Chimney Top trail would make my words ring hollow if I did not practice what I preach to my tree branches. The resiliency to make my last hike successful became a metaphor for Walking into the Future. This journey has been successful because I have been able to overcome obstacles and continue to move forward in life. Seems simple but I take a lot of pride in making goals and then crossing them off my list. This process works for me so I will continue to make it a priority.
Proud of the resiliency I showed while climbing the Chimney Top trail. I will admit I need to space my hikes out better in 2021 but I will not stop until I complete them all! 😊
How do you display resiliency in your daily life? What impact does resiliency have on how you get things done? I welcome your thoughts!
“Do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again”.
(Nelson Mandela)
(Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay)
The storm
Round and round it goes
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow
There are days it feels like a merry-go-round
Others, things are more controlled
The depth changes at times like the wind
A howling force that seeks attention
Then the calm, as the eye of the storm hovers overhead
No attention seeking, just the process of moving forward
What has this level of depth and speed?
It is simple, the life you lead
“Running is alone time that let’s my brain unspool the tangles that build up over days”.
(Rob Haneisen)
I entered 2020 with an aggressive goal to expand my running tourist role and travel to new locations for Rock N Roll Half marathon races. Started the year with a goal to run seven half marathons in the series along with a few local 5k and 10k races for speed work.
COVID-19 has turned the world upside down and we are still trying to get a handle on what normal daily actions look like now. FYI—I understand there are more important things in the world than me traveling America and running on city streets.
My last official race was a 5k on March 14, 2020 in Tallahassee. We were just getting a better understanding of how bad COVID-19 was at the time, but the event organizers took extra precautions but did not cancel the race. I remember the event was small with maybe 70 runners at the start line. We practiced physical distancing at the start line and gave everyone extra space just to be safe. There were no face masks present because the U.S. government told us there was nothing to worry about at that time. Now we know different, huh?
Fast forward to October 24, 2020 and I was back at a 5k starting line, but we all had on face masks. Physical distancing and masks were mandated to participate in this event. We could take the masks off once we began to run and had to put them back on once the race was over. Happy to report everyone complied and I felt safe while waiting my turn to start the race. The race organizers used a digital chip timer, so our times were synced based on our on-course performance instead of when we started. Example: I was the 60th runner to start but this did not impact where I placed because my time was synced directly to my performance not when I started.
I was extremely happy to be back on a race course with other people around. I love my training runs because I view running as my form of therapy but cannot make myself run fast without others around. It may be a mental block or simply a lack of motivation, but I run faster when other people are around. Think I just need to see people ahead of me to force myself to try to catch them.
I was able to slowly reel in runners during my 5k event. I wanted to post a good time but did not want to go out too fast and die a slow death on the backend of the race.
My first mile was a controlled 8:28 pace and I felt good with the pace. The second mile was a bit slower at 9:35 but still controlled considering I did no speed work or 5k training prior to showing up. Decided to maintain a level of control for the third mile and recorded 9:23 and felt comfortable at this pace. Finished with a little kick to see if I had anything left in the tank—crossed the finish line at 28:38 which is a minute slower than my race in March. To put that in context I was in full half marathon training mode in March so to run this fast without proper training is a good sign for me. May not be a good sign for my friends who run since we all know I can go faster. No pressure! 😊
I am happy with my performance and the ability to maintain my speed throughout the race. I went ahead and signed up for the OUC Half Marathon in Orlando on December 5, 2020. My original goal was to run in San Antonio in December, but COVID-19 has made an adjustment to my race schedule. The OUC race will have a staggered start and require face masks before and after the race. I feel comfortable with this process since I just completed a 5k with the same parameters. Looks like this is the new normal if we are going to see races again. It was not hard to practice physical distancing prior to racing so I will look for additional races to get my competitive fix again. Look forward to running in downtown Orlando again in December. Hope to catch up with friends while in town and enjoy being back in a great city.
So, I am racing again and enjoying every moment! Will not take racing for granted in this COVID-19 world.
What have you been able to do again safely in this COVID-19 world? What are you looking forward to?
Thanks!
Total miles in 2020: 982.77! 😊
“Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they have a second”.
(William James)
(Image by Satheesh Sankaran from Pixabay)
2020 has been a tough year for us all!
The good folks from the Walk into the Future blog wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2021 New Year!
The challenges we endured in 2020 will lead to a stronger mentality as we get ready to have a FANTASTIC 2021!
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another”.
(Proverbs 27:17)
I hope the Walk into the Future blog has sharpened you in 2020. Looking forward to another great year enjoying life to the fullest and sharing my experiences, thoughts, and adventures with you in 2021!
Thanks for walking with me! Irie!
Merry Christmas!
Calvin
Step by Step
Steps in this journey
Mark the places I have been
Each one leads to the next goal
And brings into focus the dreams that I dream
Without these steps that I take
The reality of life will have to wait
Why put off what needs to be done
Take the next step in the journey
The life you want has only just begun
Walk Into the Future 