As April passes I find myself hearing Coach Mcginnis (Varsity Linebacker Coach) talking about peaks and valleys at practice and games. At the time it didn't mean anything. I was a 17-18 year old know-it-all punk, I thought this was b.s. to put it lightly. After being on a Peak for 3 months, with work, a 11 month old, and house work. My training for the Elk Experiment has dropped from 5-6 times a week to 1-3 days. Last week I found myself in a valley. Much like one you would find while elk hunting. I was out for a run in the afternoon, while I was running (jogging for you real runners)I could hear Coach Mcginnis talking about peaks and valleys in practice. He would explain that you can not be on a peak 100% of the time. You are going to go through valleys. That elk might be on that next ridge and you must cross the valley to reach him. Or you could find yourself with lack of motivation to hit the gym(myself). It could also be home, work, or school issues, the list goes on and on. You have 2 choices either, one foot in front of the other and climb out or accept the valley and trudge on. I for one am a fighter. I'm climbing out of this valley and regain my stance on the top of the peak.
There is no time limit that one can be in a valley. For some it might be a day or two. For others it could be years. One of the main things you will need to climb out of the valley is some sort of Motivation. Positive people send positive and will help you drive your goal in the right direction. It will not happen over night and you are going to need a push every now and again to keep hammering up the peak. No matter how you find your motivation be it music, a video, your best friend, or a coach from the past. Just get motivated.
In the past few weeks of May, I have been back in the gym 4-6 days a week. My hunting partner Al and I have hiking with our packs once a week 2-3 miles, loaded with 80 plus pounds. I am pushing my way up the slope. 121 days left till we leave the sunshine state and head for the high country.
