It's not supposed to be easy

My thoughts often evolve (or devolve, in some cases) from a totally unrelated matter. The last couple of days on my runs, my thoughts have come down, at the end, to how hard it is to finish my runs and why I do it.

Although for many, a two-mile run is pretty simple, when you're still carrying 255 pounds, it's not. But, I look at the work and time I've put into taking off over 125 pounds and I've come a long ways. It hasn't always been easy.

Still, as I was struggling on my run yesterday, I got to thinking about how easy it would be to quit and just get in a good, long walk. I couldn't get loose and, just a half-mile into the run, I was already feeling tight. However, I thought about how winning and losing are habitual and I hate losing. Quitting is losing.

I've been fortunate to be part of some highly successful programs. From a state championship in football in high school, to a pair of national championship in hockey in college to another national hockey championship as a staff member, I've seen and experienced what it takes to be successful.

Vince Lombardi was right when he said "Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing."

When you quit, it becomes easier each time. I've found this out. I've tried working to lose weight before and given it up. This time, I just decided to go back to what I had learned before, that it takes work to achieve your goals and it's not easy. But the end result is worth all you've done.

If lifting, running, etc., was easy, it would probably be called a funout instead of a workout and obesity in this country wouldn't be the problem that it has become. I learned a long time ago that nothing worth having comes easy, but there's a definite reward of self-satisfaction when it finally comes.

It feels great to hear the compliments I get from people who knew me two-plus years ago and can see how far I've come. However, the feeling I get from knowing that I've done it on my own is the best feeling.

I've made my choices in life. Some good, some bad but all my own and I'll live with them. In the words of John Mellencamp, "This is my life, it's what I've chosen to do. There's no free rides, no one said it'd be easy."

The hard times, the struggles and the work we do helps us to enjoy our successes and the good times that much more. I've learned many lessons the hard way but I've learned them, worked at them and can appreciate things more because of what I've gone through.

Minutes to Memories
John Mellencamp
On a greyhound thirty miles beyond Jamestown
He saw the sun set on the Tennessee line
He looked at the young man who was riding beside him
He said I’m old kind of worn out inside
I worked my whole life in the steel mills of Gary
And my father before me I helped build this land
Now I’m seventy-seven and with God as my witness
I earned every dollar that passed through my hands
My family and friends are the best things I’ve known
Through the eye of the needle I’ll carry them home

Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories
Life sweeps away the dreams that we had planned
You are young and you are the future
So suck it up and tough it out and be the best you can

The rain hit the old dog in the twilight’s last gleaming
He said son it sounds like rattling old bones
This highway is long but I’ve know some that are longer
By sunup tomorrow I guess I’ll be home
Through the hills of Kentucky ‘cross the Ohio River
The old man kept talking about his life and his times
He fell asleep with his head against the window
He said an honest man’s pillow is his peace of mind
This world offers riches and riches will grow wings
And I don’t take stock in those uncertain things

Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories
Life sweeps away the dreams that we had planned
You are young and you are the future
So suck it up and tough it out and be the best you can

The old man had a vision but it was hard for me to follow
I do things my way and I pay a high price
When I think back on the old man and the bus ride
Now that I’m older I can see he was right

Another hot one out on highway eleven
This is my life it’s what I’ve chosen to do
There’s no free rides no one said it’d be easy
The old man told me this my son I’m telling it to you

Days turn to minutes and minutes to memories
Life sweeps away the dreams that we had planned
You are young and you are the future
So suck it up and tough it out and be the best you can

Friday night lights

As I sit here at J.J.'s Clubhouse in St. Louis Park, following a 56-6 football loss to Totino-Grace, arguably the best high school team in Minnesota this year, I think about how much Friday's mean to me.

Since I've been working with Benilde-St. Margaret's football, which I have since the fall of 2006, Friday's are a hard day for me to get anything accomplished because I look forward to the game that night.

I'm fortunate. We've got a great staff and, as were are now, we always adjourn to the local tavern after the game and, win or lose, we always have some laughs.

(Moving on, it's now Saturday and I'm now waiting for our first volleyball match of the day)

When it comes to "team" there is no sport like football. It makes for a closeness among teammates, and on the staff, like no other sport does. You have to rely on others around you constantly and the trust which is built carries over to off-field relationships.

Last night, we had a lot of things to "discuss" after suffering a 50-point blowout. Yet, we could laugh about a lot of things, poke fun at each other and still leave at the end of the night feeling OK.

Knowing that you just got your ass handed to you, but coming out of it all feeling OK (maybe not great but OK) and knowing that things will get better should be a metaphor for life. It's one of those lessons that sports should really teach us, especially the kids, all about.

I've always said, if you can't laugh at yourself, you can't laugh at anyone else. Being able to do that has me feeling better now, about football and about life.

Friday night lights, I love it!