All posts filed under: Sports

Stew in Uncomfortability

Published by Colin Nanka

A Friday throwback post from the summer of 2009. The first time I can truly say I stretched my limits is when I trained for the NYC Marathon in the fall of 2002 with one of my best friends from Edmonton. We took what traditionally is a four to six-month training window and cut it down to three so we could hit the Nov 2nd competition date. There is something about the unknown, fear of failing, that drives you. Unsure if you will be able to complete the goal and in a measure of time that lives up to your standards.  It was hard work! Six runs per week, three hour runs on Sunday afternoon, and when adding in post-recovery time (stretching, soaking, eating, nap), it turned into an all-day event that finished with an early bedtime. We had hilarious side stories and lots of learning that developed through the challenges overcome. The next challenge for me was a move from Edmonton, AB (the prairies) to Toronto, ON (the big urban city) the following year. …

10 Things That Bring You Joy

Published by Colin Nanka

An old classic from 2010 Many of us do not take time to appreciate what brings joy into our life. We are consumed making a living, paying the bills, taking care of kids/family, obligations, and keeping our head above water.  Have you ever thought, if you could take an unplanned day, what you would do?  There are many successful entrepreneurs/executives and executive coaches that believe the time to rejuvenate the spirit is absolutely essential to their success. Some take personal time every 2nd week, take a 5-day extended weekend every month or take an adventure/relaxation trip once per quarter. Many of us in corporate land may find a challenge in those scenarios, however, there are creative ways it can be done. Think about it for a few minutes, what is it that brings you joy? Take out a pen and write down ten things that bring you joy (or for those of you reading on the blackberry/iPhone, create a task and type it in).  Some will come from times in the past when you were …

Unsung Hero

Published by Colin Nanka

Picture from USA Today If you only watched the US Open Tennis final on Sunday, you would have seen the coronation of Rafael Nadal winning his second of four major championships. That story in itself is incredible, keeping in mind over the last couple years Nadal had major injuries that kept him from competing at a high level.   In a similar timeline, South African Kevin Anderson, an athlete Nadal played against his youth, was up against a major hip injury and looked to not compete again in 2017. He worked his way back from injury, being ranked #80 to having the best tournament of his life and making the US Open final. Unfortunately, he ran into a mack truck in one of the greatest tennis players of all time.  However, as I went to the semi-final I can tell you he made many South African’s who attended very happy and gained many new local fans with his high octane offense. Sometimes when it you don’t see the end of the tunnel in site, you …

I’m Inflexible!

Published by Colin Nanka

Photo by Alberto Restifo on Unsplash My backwards flexibility is a 2/10…and I’m excited.  I’ve moved on from working the physio on the ankle now to my mid spine. The ankle is healed, I’m running! Time to work on the next foundational part of my game.  If discovery is the foundation of sales, functional mobility is the foundation of running.  My back has always given me problems in past races. Severe back spasms. Cause: weak core, lack of flexibility in the spine, over extension and over use.  I’m excited to know I’ve been able to make it through many desert runs with weak hip flexers, poor posture and weak core! My yoga instructor told me so over the year many times. I didn’t disagree, I just didn’t know how or wasn’t ready to put focus on it everyday.  Two lacrosse balls (tied into a sport sock!) in the mid back 10 min a day + some other posture routines.  If I can open up the spine, I open up the lungs, stability in the core and new possibilities for …