The good days of summer vacation. The time when families schedule quality outings together. When the pace slows a bit and food tastes a little sweeter. When you can do your own thing for a few days on end.

I’m a believer in summer vacations, espically when you’ve been putting in the time training like a mad-man (or mad-woman). Getting away from the daily grind can reset your intensity and recharge your batteries. But, sometimes summer vacations can ruin steady progress. Unfortunately I see it every summer. This happens when vacation falls at the wrong time. Either too close to camp or too many consecutive days with nothing.

Being the soft hearted coach I am (cough-cough) I fully understand vacations often take priority over workout sessions. Here’s 6 tips to make sure you never skip a beat while on summer vacation:

1. Make sure you’re entire program is accounted for. All our individual training sessions are based on targets for that week. Each week is based on targets for the month. Each month is based on our long term Athlete Development Programs. All this coencides with the start of your season. Done correctly, you’re program can be manipulated so targets are hit and steady progress continues.

2. Communicate the time you’ll be away far in advance. The sooner I know when you’re gone, the better I can plan your targets. Don’t drop it on me after a Thursday session like ”hey Ryan, I uh, I won’t be here for the next two weeks.. what do you want me to do”.

3. Know where you’re going. Google maps can give you a satellite picture of the mailbox number to my parent’s farm (in rural Greene County). You should have some idea where you’re going. If it’s the beach, we can plan for it. If it’s grandma’s in Tennessee, we can plan for it. I still haven’t been able to locate the place called ”I’m Not Really Sure”.

4. Call where ever you’re staying in advance. Ask them if they have a fitness center within their facilities. If they say yes, ask what it includes. If it’s an elliptical trainer and treadmill, that’s not going to cut it. If they have a set of DB’s, ask what weights. If they don’t know, tell them you’ll hold. When I used to travel, I asked about fitness accommodations before booking. Most places have relationships with local dedicated fitness facilities. Sometimes day passes are included with your stay. See if they’ll throw in a free shuttle ride to and from.

5. Physically take your workout sheets with you. Last thing we need is you walking into an unfamiliar facility, aimlessly looking for equipment, and making up workouts. Besides, you’re on vacation. The idea is to get in, bust a$$, and get out.

6. Make it a point to communicate your vacation plans with your sport coach. Let them know when you’ll be gone, what training you’ll do while away, and when you’ll return. Convey you’re excited to go, but staying fit and coming home ready to roll is high priority. This softens the blow if you miss team workouts or vacation right before camp.

Hopefully these 6 tips help. If you think I’m crazy, maybe you’re not as serious as you thought. I promise training on vacation has many mental and physical rewards. You’ll feel productive and accomplished. Plus, might as well get your pump on before hitting the beach ;)

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As another decade comes to a close, the end of 2009 marks 10 full years I’ve been a strength, speed, and conditioning coach. There’s been ups and downs, and many “AH-HA” moments. Below you’ll find, in no particular order, the 10 biggest mistakes I’ve made. People have created lists like this before… now you’ll have insight how far I’ve come.

1. Not listening to other people’s explanations before forming an opinion

Steven R. Covey says to “Seek first to understand before being understood”. I’ve embarrassed myself more than once by derailing fitness programs before I knew all the details. Not anymore.

2. Not reading 7 Habits of Highly Effective People sooner

Speaking of Steven R. Covey, his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has been a guiding factor in my coaching, mentoring, and personal relationships. Buy the book today and actually read it.

 3. Coaching with a my-way or high-way attitude

Since I’ve opened myself to different training beliefs, I’ve become a smarter coach and better asset to my athletes. You’ll never know everything – that’s a fact.

4. Not following through on projects

My bookshelves are full of 3-ring binders.. packed with ‘ideas’ and ‘projects’. I should have followed through and gave each one more time to materialize.

5. Losing touch with people who directly influenced me

One quick look through my contact list triggers a feeling of shame. I should have never let these people get out of my network. I’ve taken great strides to keep better contact and it’s made all the difference in the world.

6. Not developing The FOCUS System sooner

Experience takes time so I don’t know if I consider this a mistake. All I know is ever since I’ve outlined my training program into a repeatable system, everything has become a little easier.

7. Being such a Hard Ass

Tough guy hard ass personalities are over rated – trust me. You can always find somebody bigger, stronger, and smarter. The key is how you deal with it. Since I’ve backed off the tough guy approach, my relationships with athletes have become much more meaningful.

8. Not seeking specialty knowledge of doctors and physical therapists

Over the last five months I’ve been rehabbing a hamstring injury. During that time, I’ve learned more about human movement and function than the last 10 years combined. I’ve made these people my assets, and will continue to have them on my team.

9. Waiting on other people who say they’re going to make things happen

I used wait on other people if I needed something done. Not anymore. If opportunity exists it’s up to me to make a decision, not them. I control my own destiny. (Like when you meet someone for the first time and you want to go out with them. If you give them your number, you gotta wait for them to call you. You’re at their mercy. What you do is get their number. That way you can call them directly and see if they want to go out.)

10. Not understanding the difference between ‘Need to Know vs Nice to Know’ sooner

I hate the think how much time I’ve wasted reading and researching material I have no use for. Because of this I’ve implemented a rule asking myself: Is this something I need to know now, can it wait until later, will I need it later?

Many many more mistakes could be added but these are 10 that really stood out. How about you? Have you made any mistakes over the last decade that you’ve learned from. Drop a comment below and let me know what mistakes you’ve made and how it’s made you better.

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SCHEDULE

Sunday January 3: Competitive & Executive Athletes 7:00pm

Monday January 4: Competitive & Executive Athletes 7:30pm

Thursday January 7: Competitive & Executive Athletes 7:30pm

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We can all get caught dwelling on what’s wrong with or lives – at least what we think is wrong:

 Not being as strong and fast as you want to be…

 Wishing you could put on more weight or drop some rocks…

 Upset because you’re not training as often…

 Mad because you should get more playing time…

 Parents on your case all the time…

 Kids driving you nuts…

 No time to relax…

 The list could go on but it’s gotta stop here. Stop dwelling on the BS you have in your life.

 You see, I think all the statements above boil down to one word: DRAMA. Find ways to get past the drama and concentrate on the big picture principles that drive your life and training.

 I know the little things can add up and test your nerves. That’s when you have to find your ‘Life Preserver’.

Your own personal life preserver can come in many ways in many forms. It can be a good book, a long drive to nowhere, or your favorite movie. You can go outside and play with your dog or go to your grandparents. What it is really doesn’t matter. What matters is you know what works for you and when to use it.

You also need life preservers when training. There are exercises and movements that you can do, strong and explosively, every single time. These are movements you can rely on to guage progress or bust sticking points. If your workouts have hit a wall, go back to what has worked in the past. If you’re great at box jumps but stink at bungee tuck jumps, pull off the tuck jumps and go back to box jumps. It might take a couple reps, a week, or several workouts to get your groove back. Once you’re back on track you can attack the task at hand free and clear.

When I get stressed there is one thing that brings me back to center – the farm. That’s right… some good old manual labor away from the stress of business and training. I can literally feel the pressure and strain start to release when I’m in the car on the way to the farm. A good two days of hard work, running heavy equipment, and dirt bikes is all I need.

When my workouts go south I revert back to what I’m good at: squating. If my squat feels heavy I know my training is off and adjustments are needed. The squat is the tell-tell sign if my progress is headed in the right direction.

The next time you feel overwhelmed, put your stress in perspective. Is drama taking over? Is this something bigger?

Let your personal life preserver reel you back comfort, confidence, and assurance. Take your time getting back on track and I guarentee you’ll come out ahead.

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