People get bored very easily. That is a fact that is about as certain as death and taxes. Think about the high school kid who falls asleep during a forty-minute lecture on the Italian Renaissance or the security guard who drifts off during the graveyard shift. When a person experiences something that spans a long period of time and offers no alterations or adjustments, there exists no possible way for a legitimate focus to occur. As a result, body and mind change course, looking to either rest from exhaustion or re-stimulate itself with something else.

Training for triathlon is no different. While following a detailed, structured workout schedule will give you the format to stay consistent, doing the same routine day after day will result in two situations: a serious loss of mental motivation and a seemingly unbreakable physical plateau.

Mentally, when you continually change your patterns, the brain stays sharp, as it constantly has a new goal to reach. You provide the stimulus your brain requires to keep your body moving in a manner that permits progress. For example, using a swim workout based on stroke count one day, always working to lengthen the body's reach to reduce the number of strokes it takes to cover a given distance, and the next day swimming against the clock, a place where strokes are less important and time rules, provides you with a different set of challenges. Your brain avoids the patternization that generates boredom and fatigue.

Likewise, physically, if you can repeatedly alter your goals, you can keep your body from reaching those plateaus that stunt growth. Confusing the muscles, making them work similar groups in a variety of ways, dodges the monotony of identical workouts. For example, running an endless string of treadmill workouts will never produce the long-range results you need. Instead, get outside and hit the trails or do a track workout. Try plyometrics or Kenpo. Mix in multiple variations that will strengthen the muscles while keeping them fresh and stimulated.

Overall, you will be a happier triathlete if you mix it up. Failing to do so will not only hurt your performance, but also it will take away the pure joy associated with the sport. Keep yourself mentally and physically excited and vary those workouts as much as possible.

After having a few episodes of crippling pain that knocked me to my knees, I was diagnosed with gallstones. I was in my late 20's, relatively healthy and active. Yet, after having my surgery, it took me around six months to fully recuperate and feel like my old self. For this reason, I was surprised to find out that the only American female to hold the record for the 800 to 10,000 meter race, Mary Slaney, had over 18 surgeries during her career.

Mary Slaney, a slight brunette, was a popular athlete in the 1980s. From a kidney infection to chronic foot pain, she experienced a lot of ailments throughout her running career. Many of them led to surgery, which ended up causing her down time. For many people, these ailments coupled with surgeries would have caused them to hang up their Adidas. However, Slaney learned to take each episode with stride and continue on. This attitude earned her great success. Here's a laundry list of her accomplishments:

Records Held
American Record: 800 m - 1:56.90 (August 16, 1985 - )
American Record: 1,500 m - 3:57.12 (July 26, 1983 - )
American Record: 1 mi. - 4:16.71 (August 21, 1985 - )
American Record: 3,000 m - 8:25.83 (September 7, 1985 - )
American Record: 5,000 m - 15:06.53 (June 1, 1985 - )
American Record: 10,000 m - 31:35.30 (July 16, 1982 - )

Championships
1988 Olympics: 1,500 m (8th)
1988 Olympics: 3,000 m (10th)
1983 World Outdoors: 1,500 m (1st)
1983 World Outdoors: 3,000 m (1st)

Because of her long-suffering and undying fortitude, Mary Slaney was able to compete in races well into her late 30's. Today, she is retired. However, her legacy lives on. She was the little engine that could and did, regardless of the pain in her body.

Are you willing to bet on yourself? This question is one I've asked myself throughout the years. It started when I was age 10 and decided to jump across a wide, slippery ditch. Call me crazy, but a part of me just knew I could make it to the other side even though I'd never jumped it before. Guess what? I made it! It was an exhilarating feeling that led me to push myself to do other challenging things in life. Of course, all of them didn't work out perfectly, but the fact that I was able to take risks helped me learn to trust myself. It is a feeling that I've had to rely on in order to make some of the most important transitions in life that would normally seem out of reach for me. For this reason, I was really happy to hear about a renowned runner who'd done the same: Mensen Ernst.

Mensen Ernst was a Norwegian marathon runner who was popular in the 1800s. Considered to be one of the world's first professional athletes, he traveled the world betting against himself. From Europe to Africa, he ran to beat his own times. What was his most spectacular feat? Ernst ran from Paris to Moscow in 14 days. It was unheard of in his day and set a precedence for future runners.

In 1843, Mensen Ernst died on a quest to find the source of the Nile River. However, his passing wasn't sorrowful. For most of his life, Ernst had bet on himself and it led him on an exciting lifelong adventure. As a result, his life became a testimony to anyone who wanted to achieve great things. He showed the world that if you bet on yourself, you win. Use this lesson for yourself and make the upcoming year your best one. Believe in your abilities to make the necessary changes in your life to be happy and win in 2009.

Ever wonder what happens to world-famous runners after they leave the spotlight? Maybe they become reality TV starts, like Bruce Jenner, or the focus of a scandal like Marion Jones. Either way, you rarely hear about them doing anything spectacular to change the world of running after the media loses their trail. For this reason, I was surprised to find out how much veteran runner Jeff Galloway has achieved in his life.

For those of you who don't know, Jeff Galloway is a lifetime runner who had his heyday in the 1970s as an Olympic marathon runner. He was on the track back in the day when famous runners like Steve Prefontaine were getting their props. Yet, unlike a lot of his fellow runners, he took all of the knowledge he gained as a runner back to the people. He didn't just keep it to himself or only share it with a select few.

Jeff Galloway is responsible for penning several best-selling books on running as well as devising the Run-Walk method. In addition, he opened up athletic stores, hosted fitness camps and shared his knowledge worldwide with running coaches. A large proponent of injury-free running, Jeff Galloway has set a standard for anyone who wants to be a lifetime runner without wearing down their body. Overall, his contribution to the world of running is great.

Today, Galloway lives in Atlanta with his wife and sons. He continues to run and teach others about his chosen sport. His life is a testimony to all that a runner can do in his profession - on and off the track.

"Men of success meet with tragedy. It was the will of God that I won the Olympics, and it was the will of God that I met with my accident. I accept these victories as I accept this tragedy. I have to accept both circumstances as a fact of life and live happily."

If you are wondering who said the above statement, it is record breaking runner Abebe Bikila. Born in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) in 1932, he was the son of a shepherd who was put in the 1960 Rome Olympics at the last minute. Adidas, olympic shoe sponsor
had few shoes left when Bikila went to try out shoes. He ended up
with a pair that didn't fit comfortably, so a
couple of hours before the race the decision was taken by Abebe to run
barefoot, the way he had originally trained for the race.

Abebe Bikila became a hero in Ethiopia by becoming the first African to win an Olympic gold medal. As you can see from his prior statement, he knew it was his destiny. Besides bringing home the gold in the 500 m, he also set a new record for finishing the marathon in 2:15:16.2. Based on reports, he did it effortlessly, sprinting toward the finish line. However, as with anyone, his life was full of traumatic experiences and one that actually ended his career.

In 1969, Bikila's city was full of unrest. As a result, after swerving to avoid hitting a group of protestors, he landed in a ditch and became trapped in his car. It was an event that would turn him into a quadriplegic. With help, he later would become a paraplegic. Yet, his running days were over. It was at this time he would release the aforementioned, famous statement.

Abebe Bikila's statement is one that shows us all that we must accept life as it is. So, if 2008 really wasn't your year, accept it and move on. Try to make 2009 a better one.

Have you ever heard of April Holmes? If not, you are missing out on one of the best kept secrets of America. This woman is one of the most heroic figures of our century. Why? She's a record breaking runner who's showing and teaching others how to overcome obstacles in life. Here's her story.

In 2001, April Holmes was involved in a horrible accident. One of her legs got caught under a train, which led to her losing it. For many people this kind of event would be the beginning to a life of drudgery, pain and bitterness. However, for the prior NCAA All-American, this tragedy marked the beginning of an awe-inspiring athletic and advocacy career.

After her accident, April charged full-steam ahead in her life. She moved on to compete in the Paralympic Games and set a new record under her classification for the 100 meter. She also won medals in other events. Then, she capitalized on her success by bringing her story to the national news. She did several interviews, visited schools and even starred in a video by rapper Shaggy. April Holmes' basic message to others is to persevere through life despite what does or doesn't happen to you.

So what is April up to lately? She is easing out of her athletic career and continuing to speak out for people with disabilities. Holmes continues to travel to schools to deliver a message of hope. She is definitely a modern day hero that we all can look up to.

"Have you lost all of your marbles?" This question must be the running joke hurled at all of the great people of Marblehead , Massachusetts. For this reason, it's a good thing they have a local female celebrity who is able to refute any of the negative connotation surrounding their town's name. Who is she? She is record breaking runner Shalane Flanagan.

At 27 years old, Shalane Flanagan is a slight, cross country runner who showed up big at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Besides coming in third in the 5000 meter race at the U.S. Olympic trials, she also took home a bronze medal in the 10,000 meter race. These wins were a great follow-up to her prior 2007 record-breaking runs where she set a new U.S. indoor 3000 meter record (8:33.25) and outdoor 5000 meter record (14:44.80). However, what's crazy is that these events aren't the most interesting aspect of Shalane Flanagan's life.

Shalane Flanagan was born with a rare condition that gave her an extra bone in her foot. Unaware of her condition for most of her life, she just found out about it three years ago. How? She was in excruciating pain and couldn't figure out why. After seeing a series of doctors, one correctly diagnosed her with an extra bone that happened to be tearing through a tendon. This event prevented her from competing in the year of 2006 but probably is responsible for her amazing rebound as a runner in 2007.

So what's the moral of Shalane Flanagan's story? If you come from a town with a funny name and just happen to have an extra bone in your body, you just might have the makings of a great athlete. And if you don't, you at least have a good story to tell.

Remember how flamboyant American runners were in the 80's? Carl Lewis sported trendy hair, tight shorts and sung in his own music video. Florence Joyner Griffith modeled, wore a Diana Ross weave and had manicured nails so long that they could easily cut a man's throat. No wonder Canadian runner Ben Johnson felt a need to get into trouble. It was probably the only way he could compete against his fellow athletes.

For those of you who don't know, Ben Johnson is Canada's most infamous runner. What did he do wrong? He got caught on numerous occasions using doping substances (steroids) to build up his speed and endurance as a runner. This fact was particularly hurtful after he broke a world record in 1988 only to have it stripped away a few days later. He went from being called "Benfastic" by the Toronto Star to being a national disgrace. Fast forward 10 years, his behavior was still under question for doping and a working relationship with Libyan leader Muammar Al-Gaddafi. Basically, he coached his son, which later led to him being robbed of all of his earnings. Sounds like a lot of trouble, huh? Well Ben Johnson's life has been full of it. Yet, in many ways, he still is a winner.

Ben Johnson is like the little engine that could. No matter what life throws his way (or he causes doing bad stuff), he keeps on trucking. What has he been up to lately? Johnson is now penning his memoirs. That's right! His book, "Seoul to Soul," is a tell-all about his life as a track star. We will get his version of the doping incidents and the use of steroids in the athletic world of running. So let's just say that this man is not down and out for the count. He's not going to fade into obscurity like so many people do who have very public failures. Johnson is going to continue to reach for the stars and flaunt the covers of every Canadian tabloid magazine.

When I was in middle school, I used to sit next to a girl who had one leg that was shorter than her other. When we both tried out for the basketball team, I didn't think she'd have a chance. Wrong! On the day of the tryouts, she surprised everyone with her dribbling and shooting skills. It was my first lesson in not judging a book by its cover. My second lesson came when I saw the movie about runner Wilma Rudolph.

Wilma Glodean Rudolph was the 20th child of 22. A Tennessee native, she suffered from several illnesses: scarlet fever, pneumonia and polio. These illnesses led to the crippling of one of her legs. Sadly, for the first 9 years of her life, Wilma's days were dim. Yet one day, her circumstances changed. She got a leg brace. What happened next? She turned into one of the world's greatest runners.

After getting a device to strengthen her leg, Wilma Rudolph turned into a runner. By age 12, she was the fastest runner in her school. By age 16, she participated in her first Olympics and won the bronze medal in the 4 x100 meter. By the 1960s, Rudolph was the first woman to receive three gold medals. Shortly afterward she retired. It was the height of her career.

Wilma Rudolph's life truly exemplifies a book that started off sorrowful but ended with joy. I guess you can never look at a person's circumstances and say what they will do in life - not even your own.

If there ever were a Mohammed Ali of the track world, Wallace Spearmon could claim that title. He's tall (6'3"), sleek (185 lbs) muscular, intelligent and pretty. His name is often coupled with two words: sexy and runner.

As Fayetteville High School alum, Wallace Spearmon began his athletic career as an Arkansas Razorback. He dominated in the sprint events. As a result, he gathered several accolades during his college career. He was a four-time NCAA champion, five-time All-American, two-time SEC Champion and American record holder in 200 meter. These accolades were a sign; a sign that he'd continue to run and wow the world.

Wallace Spearmon ended his college career early and joined Nike's team. It was an event that took him abroad to other countries, leading to more wins and the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In 2007, he won a gold medal for the World Outdoor 4-by-100 meter and a silver medal for an USA Outdoor 200 meter. At the Olympic Games, he faced controversy for stepping out of his lane, which led to his disqualification. However, considering that it was his first Olympics, he represented his country well. Spearmon was also able to place high in several of the 200 meter heats, showing everyone that he is a stellar runner.

Wallace Spearmon will surely get his name a place in history as a record breaking runner with an excellent, professional running career. Like Mohammed Ali, he dances like a butterfly and stings like a bee. We will surely hear more about him in the future. My guess? He'll be a record-breaking runner in the next Olympics. Spearmon will be the guy giving the other runners a lot of competition and running squarely inside his lane.

Watching the 2008 Beijing Olympic games was like sitting on the sidelines of a well-crafted soap opera. It had drama, sex, and secrets. Were the gymnasts from China under age? Should the synchronized swimmers from Spain be penalized for their sexy wardrobes? Did Usain Bolt act in a distasteful manner after he did a dance and lifted up his gold running shoes after breaking a world record in running? These questions kept the area around the water cooler warm and perked up with conversation. However, there were a few events at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games that didn't ignite any disputes. One of them was the record breaking performance of Kenyan Samuel Wanjiru in the men's marathon with a time of 2'06:32.

Samuel Kamau Wanjiru was born on November 10, 1986, in Nyahururu. It is the highest town in Kenya and a training ground for runners. It is an inspiration for anyone desiring to make it to the Olympics. For Wanjiru, it proved to be a stepping stone. Why? He embraced this area as a child, but the bulk of his training was completed in Japan; a place he moved to in 2002. There, he joined the Toyota Kyushu athletics team and sat under the coaching of a prior silver marathon medallist Koichi Morishita. This led to him (Wanjiru) breaking the half marathon world record on September 11, 2005.

However, Wanjiru never gave up his Kenyan roots. How could he? His people were there and he had a little family competition. Cousin Joseph Riri and young brother Simon Njoroge are both long distance runners. So, of course, he had to represent his country in the Olympic games and prove that the award he'd received just years earlier as "Kenyan Most Promising Sportsman of the Year" was right. Through his well-honed talent, Samuel Wanjiru was able to break an Olympic record and end a title drought that has plagued Kenya for years.

A few years ago, I celebrated a special birthday. I did it with friends at a Caribbean restaurant. There was music, cake, delicious food and a lot of laughter. However, it was nothing compared to what one man did for himself just days before his birthday. Jamaican Usain Bolt set a new world record for the 100-meter race by running it in 9.69 seconds.

Born August 20, 1986, Usain is the child of Jennifer and Wellesley Bolt. Early on, they recognized their child's athletic ability. As a result, they allowed him to focus on his athletic skills while in school. This led to him winning a medal in 2001 at his high school's annual championship track and field games. Fast forward a few years and Usain was competing for a medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Representing his Jamaican countrymen, Usain Bolt pushed off the starting line of the 100-meter run with vigor and exuberance. At the halfway mark, it was obvious he realized he was far ahead of his competitors. Therefore, with raised arms and a pound to the chest with one hand, he celebrated his win. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Usain Bolt broke the standing record for the 100-meter race.

Now, all that was left for Usain to do on his birthday was to eat cake and ice cream. (I would say Usain would need to break out in a jig, but he did that a few minutes after the record was announced at the Olympic games. He even held up a pair of gold running shoes.) What a way to celebrate a birthday. Usain Bolt will never forget the year he turned 22-years-old. It will be a story he will get to reminisce about for years. And the rest of us? We'll be reading about it in the history books until someone else comes along and beats his record.

Let's face it. We all have a friend who's always about to do something big. You know who this person is. It's the person who's going to find a way to get into the Guinness Book of Records but doesn't have any real talent. It's the person who's going to climb Mount Everest one day but can't make it around the block. It's the person who's going to buy a mansion, but is still living in his, or her, mother's basement. Now, none of these things are impossible, but based on your friend's current situation, they just seem impossible for him. Yet, every once in a while, this person actually does what he says. This is what happened with runner Maurice Greene.

For the longest time, Maurice Greene said he'd be the fastest man in the world. But no one really believed him. They just thought he was another athletic pretty boy, talking about something he'd never accomplish. Yes, he was a runner but not "that kind" of runner. However, in the mid-90s, Greene started proving everyone wrong.

It started with him beating Carl Lewis at the Texas Relays. Racing officials stated it was wind-aided, but it still showed his emerging ability. Unfortunately, in 1996, fate stepped in, and Maurice Greene hurt his hamstring. This led to a disappointing show at the Olympic Trials. However, it also caused Greene to move to California and choose a new coach, John Smith. It was this new merger that would lead Maurice Greene to one of his greatest victories. In the 1997 World Track and Field Championships, he beat Olympic Champion Donovan Bailey in the 100-meter race and earned the title as The World's Fastest Man. Of course, this event shut up a lot of Maurice Greene's critics. He no longer was the guy about to do something big. He'd done it!

Maurice Greene's story serves as a lesson for all of us. The next time your friend, the one about to do big things, talks about his next venture, don't dismiss it. Understand that he's just dreaming and one day might make the dream come true.