Most of you probably don’t know that I am a writer at heart. I love to write. I have written many books, articles and even songs. I love to write. I love to express. I love being a doctor and I love giving Prolotherapy shots but honestly not as much as I love to write.

I have done athletics on and off my whole life. I’ll be honest I have not lived up to my potential ever in sports. It seemed that when the big game came, I went. I don’t remember one all-star baseball game that I did any good. I was a spectacular golfer in high school but never made it down state. I have done two ultramarathons and eight marathons and two Ironman races and didn’t reach my potential in any of them. Why?

I have a terrific triathlon coach Pete Alfino. He and I have been friends since we were seven. He was my first best friend and I would call him one of closest friends today. He is an awesome person and I am proud of the way he handles his life including being a father and husband. His coaching website is www.milehighmultisport.com. He told me to get the book In Pursuit of Excellence. I devoured the book and have read it carefully twice. I am now writing summary notes about the book. The book is about focusing and helping a person get the most out of sports and life. I highly recommend it. It has helped me tremendously in my focusing ability.

I generally live in the past or the future, as do many writers. We are dreaming of far off lands and conquests and not about the present. Marion could be talking to me and I will be thinking about tomorrow or something that happened six years ago. When I first started training I would do everything but concentrate on what I was doing. The book In Pursuit of Excellence makes the point over and over again the most gifted athletes/executives/movers and shakers in the world, have a positive perspective about what they are doing and an incredible ability of focus under tremendous pressure.

So I have started to focus more. Focus during my work but to try and look people in the eye and really focus on them while they are talking to me. To be in the present. I have also tried everyday to be in a positive mood. To look at life and my circumstances with the glass half full rather then half empty. I am fortunate in my best friend and one of training buddies Tim is a great example of this. By watching him and his infectious positive attitude I want to be like him.

The problem with training with Tim is that Tim is Hercules. I trained more than he did last year and kept up with him on all the training rides/swims/runs and look at the results:

2005 record of Tim Kenny vs. Ross Hauser

My times continue to improve but Tim delivers, I do not. Tim went on to run the Chicago Marathon in 3:07 last year. He also set a PR in an Olympic distance triathlon in 2:07. Again I train with him. Same times/same speeds…so why I am so much slower in competition. The answer has to lie in my ability to focus.

I have been working on my focusing ability. In workouts and during my normal daily activities. I have been pushing myself during some of workouts…concentrating on form. From In Pursuit of Excellence the author notes that one should have key words that you think about during workouts and competition. So my words are power, long, strong, and stuff like that.

I really wanted to set my PR for the 1000 meter swim this week. Tim agreed to swim with me yesterday. My mindset during the swim was that I wouldn’t look at Tim even for a second. I would just focus on long (long stroke) and strong. I would stay in control. We started and I made sure the first 250 meters I would not get short of breath. In other words pace myself. I wanted my last 250 meters to be the fastest. Tim was in the lane next to me. I was astonished when I touched the wall in 17:56 and Tim was a couple of seconds behind me. If I would have looked at him or worried about him even once during the swim I would have lost. Most importantly though was the fact that I focused for 17 minutes 56 minutes and set my PR in the 1000 meter swim by 20 seconds. Maybe I am finally learning to focus. I have to if I want to meet my potential as an athlete and in life.

RH