The Sum of All Our Beliefs

'If you think you can, or cannot - you're right.' ~ Henry Ford


Our behaviors are driven by our beliefs and values. Renes Descartes wrote that we are govern by our thoughts, words and actions. Our beliefs are our motives and motivations for what we do. Our beliefs can limit or enhance our actions, and thus our results.


Sports and sporting activities include how we involve our beliefs. If our beliefs create choices for us, then they become relevant and useful for us in our future. When our beliefs reduce our choices and flexibility, then they need to be updated or removed from our mental programming.


When you earn achievements and accomplishments, they shift our beliefs about our capabilities. Each success in our sporting endeavours springs forth new beliefs about our abilities. I have noticed that the recent recepients of the Ironman Western Australian Ironman triathlon were eager to sign up for a new race. In fact, some attempted to sign up for next year's edition, which sold out this morning within 69 minutes! For those who did a personal best, tehir mental programming suggested doing another one in the near future, so as to crack new mental and physical barriers.


Shift your beliefs, update them, and restructure them - and enjoy new results and personal success!

Leadership By Expression

‘Express yourself…’ ~ Madonna, pop-music icon

Your leadership style is based on your personality. An introvert will express himself/herself in a more inquisitive way, through questions, and actively listening. An extravert will be more inclined to share their private thoughts openly, preferring to answer questions. Our preferences do guide us, naturally, to express ourselves, and our leadership differently.

People will judge us no matter how you project yourself in public. How do you assert yourself in conversation, as well as in your writing? Are you more asking or telling? Do you offer others a chance to convey their ideas? How much do you present of your leadership when you apply the ‘golden silence’? Are you only a follower if you choose to read instead of respond?

If you initiate or participate in a discussion on social media, how are you leading? If you choose to refrain from commenting, how much of a leader are you promoting? If you correct a piece of factual inaccuracy, how do you do it without a friend (or friend of a friend) losing face? There is authority and responsibility in our role as a leader, so how do we maintain each aspect?

Leadership Lessons: How will you express your influence this week? What will you do differently when you lead? How will you lead in your written correspondence? When did you last start a discussion thread on Facebook or Twitter and lead in the process? How long did it last before you terminated it, and how did you discontinue the process?

Pacing, Spacing and Retracing Your Steps

This morning, at about 7.00am along the East Coast beach, I ran 21K with Brian (who won yesterday’s TriBob Mini-Sprint triathlon – his age group, and overall standing) and his friend Gary (who completed IM New Zealand recently). With my trusty Garmin Forerunner 310XT, we took an easier warm up pace for the first 10K, and returned with a fiery fierceness for the return leg. We had a negative split difference of about seven minutes. Brian and I leached lactic acid in our legs as we drove the last 2K at about a 4:15 pace. It was well within our expected time as it began to rain. I was certainly off my prescribed pace (by Coach) for 4:36 minutes per kilometre, however was glad for the effort (5 minutes off my intended, solo pace but not as enjoyable).

We had a chat after the run, refueling ourselves with an electrolyte drink. We discussed training for an Ironman, recovery methods, pacing, bike fits and how to deodorize stinky shoes. The latter included removing insoles, and soaking soiled shoes immediately, for 30 minutes with washing detergent; then, you air-dry them. Direct sunlight (although great for removing organic smells) may denature the material through time (bleaching the colours and desiccating the rubber), so do that with caution if your shoes cost too much.

Throughout our run, I noticed several things:

1)    We met runners – familiar and stranger – with varying social responses.

2)    Some would shy away from us by sidestepping us as we approached them (even averting eye contact).

3)    A Caucasian mountain-cyclist greeted us ‘Good morning!’ to which we returned the pleasantries.

4)    A large group of cyclists gathered and rode off in green t-shirt; it was, obviously, for a non-competitive cycling event.

5)    Familiar runners would return non-verbal gestures of acknowledgement.

Such are the social behaviors of runners, although we can surmise that they are respectful of each other’s efforts. For a public holiday, it was interesting to note that the running and cycling tracks were packed by 9.00am. As Brian preferred, it was better to get the training done early and recover after that.

Back home, as I retraced my steps online with GarminConnect, I could see my pathway on GoogleEarth Maps. I could analyse where I slowed down, and when I picked up the pace. Studying this set of data, I learnt what I could do in the near future. Retracing our step is like taking steps back and recalling our exact tracks. Jogging our pleasant memories is akin to that. Thus, every event or occasion can be relived and retold with enthusiasm.