My goal for the coming year is to build a network of Team THRIVE! folks that run, bike, swim, whatever.

I think this woud be a great chance to learn about goal achievment, overcoming hardships, how a community helps you out and success. Natually!

Anyone interested in helping me out and being a Team THRIVE! racer? You don't have to be fast, heck I'm not, just enthusiastic and optimistic.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jim Hill,

I'm in! For the running. And maybe the biking. But not so much the swimming.

I think it's interesting how much participation there is in various types of racing these days. Go to a local 5K, 10K, triathalon, Ironman, adventure race, etc. The place will be bursting with participants. Many of these events are for charity which is obviously fantastic.

I think a bigger force at work is our desire for achievement. It feels good to get out and complete a race of any length. (Notice I didn't say win - my personal definition of success when running is survival.)

I think that this type of participation reminds us how to win. Think about it. If you want to run a race, you train, you apply effort, you exercise discipline, you exert yourself, you complete your goal, and you feel great about yourself.

You can take that experience with you into your work day, your effort to clean out the garage, or to accomplish any goal.

Whether you currently "race" (quotation fingers) or you're just interested in a new way to win, I encourage you to join Team THRIVE! If you come to an event I'm in, you're welcome to hang out in the back of the pack with me!

Also:

We're interested in sponsoring teams in your community. If you'd like to talk with us about how we might work together on an particular event, contact Jim right away!

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Well allrighty then!

Looks like Team THRIVE! has two events on the horizon:

1.The Adventure Race Matt mentioned in another post. As we're doing it together I'm pretty sure that constitutes a TT event.

2. Cape Cod Marathon Relay - This is a team event I've done for the last few years. My team has signed on to be Team THRIVE! this year. Woo-hoo!

We are looking to spread the THRIVE! through team events. Let us know what you're doing. Who knows - there might even be team shirts available to you. (hint-hint)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jim Hill,

There are some important parallels between training for a big race and making a change in your life. Many people who want to be successful when training for a race choose to run with a group of like minded individuals.

Run clubs offer many benefits including:

1. Information/Instruction
2. Support
3. Encouragement
4. Accountability
5. Social Interactions
6. Shared Experience
7. Fun

Sounds like THRIVE! to me.

Here's an article Jim and I were discussing. It details one author's experience with a run club:

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,5033,s6-51-0-0-8272,00.html

Give it a read and let us know if you see how the concept relates to our young achievement community.

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This article absolutely relates! Being a runner who is part of a run club, I live the parallel on a regular basis. My club is where I started running. I look forward to the encouragment from coaches and fellow runners.(True, sometimes I look forward to knowing there will be people to complain about the distance/speed/weather/etc. with, but that's normal, right?) On the days that I don't really feel like putting in the effort on my own, I think, "Will I be able to keep up with everyone in the group run next week?" That accountability often gets me out the door.

Many of the people I run with have become people I socialize with, and it's been a great addition to my own personal community. This community has certainly had a big impact on me.

At THRIVE!, I have the accountability of admitting my goals publicly, and then wanting to be able to report that I took the next step. I look forward to what others have to say about my goals, as well as hearing what others are working toward.

The newsletter and discussion topics are a source of instruction, support and entertainment for me. And I'm never sure just what to expect. Kind of like an on-line fartlek....

I can't believe you worked the term "fartlek" into a post. Well done!

So how's this for a slogan:

"THRIVE! It's like a run club for your goals. Only without the chafing."

I think I'll send that over to Marketing. Wish me luck!

(Kidding.)

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quote:

Originally posted by Matthew Poepsel:
So how's this for a slogan:

"THRIVE! It's like a run club for your goals. Only without the chafing."

You know, I think that would make a great billboard....

But you do bring up a good point. (What? I'm actually going for something serious out of that? Just hear me out.)

There's plenty of chafing when you're trying to acheive a goal. The obstacles, both real and imagined - or even self-imposed - that rear their ugly heads. Not knowing what the next step should be, the inertia of inaction, beating yourself up over not having reached the goal already. I could go on. (Lucky for you, I won't.) But having a place to ask for help and get encouragement is like Body Glide for life. (Ok, maybe I'm taking the running analogy a bit too far....)