Determinded Ladies!

It is said that when something is continuously done from the heart with enough enthusiasm, love, energy and passion, the vibe is felt and breaks down resistance...That is what I was hoping for when I got hired to be the Head Coach at a first time program named "Running & Community Engagement," a scholarship program where 20 High School Senior Girls from all over the 5 NYC Boroughs were chosen from a pool of about 100 applicants. The requirement for this program included an essay, references from a teacher or mentor, the desire to be involved with community service and no prior significant running background.

My job was to design and lead an 8-week program that would enable them to complete their first ever 5k. But that was just the easy part...The first day had arrived and I got to meet the 20 Girls that would become a very important milestone in my life. We introduced ourselves and I could tell that some were excited, some were nervous, some were skeptic and some were confused. I took them right out of their comfort zone and tested them with a 1.5 mile loop of the reservoir. The assistant coach, Zach was in charge of motivating them throughout the run and pretty much being my eyes and ears. We had a talk after that first practice and agreed we had our work cut out for us, but I was sure that the girls would never forget their first day as it was a wake-up call!

I wanted to create a "Team" environment and knowing each other's names was priority. I gave myself 2 days to learn every one's name and then required the very same from them, if not, they were required to do 5 push-ups for each name they missed and they were also given 25 push-ups for anyone that came 1 minute late to class. Needless to say, they were doing a-lot of push-ups the first couple of weeks. So, one day after class, they all got together and took a picture as a group and tagged each other on Facebook! Sure enough, they learned each other's name and were nearly perfect for the next class. What mattered to me was that they were working together as a "Team" to find a solution...

We met 3 times a week (Tuesday & Thursday evenings & Saturday mornings)and for the next few weeks I put them through some very challenging workouts that included calisthenics, plyometrics, speed drills, stairs and hill repeats just to name a few. Most of them had never performed any of these exercises and they cringed at the thought of push-ups and pull-ups. That was perfect, I thought..Each time I named a new exercise, they were never too shy to say, "There is NO WAY I'm Doing that," but my response with out hesitation would always be "YOU MUST!"

There was definitely many different personalities that sometimes shocked me, frustrated me, made me laugh, inspired me and then just sometimes made me dig within myself and my own feelings. This was just not a "Running Program." To me, it was a valuable opportunity to help these young ladies experience the power of belief in themselves; Of giving something a try even if they didn't think they could do it and never giving up on them even if they fought back...

One of their projects within the first couple of weeks was to come up with a team name which in the end was voted "Determined Ladies." I think the name started really resonating with them each time they completed a demanding workout which was pretty much every practice for the first 6 weeks.

The weeks went by and even though it was amazing to see how their fitness was improving, I did not back-off one bit. It was important to me to keep pushing them until the very end. Even though, I could notice them jumping higher, running faster and just an overall progression. In week 7, it was time to re-test them and show them how far they have come...We re-tested them on the 1.5 mile reservoir run as they did on the very first day. The results were nothing short of astounding! 100% of the girls improved and cut between 3-7 minutes off their time.

While recording and comparing their times, I was definitely moved with emotion. From my own personal experience, I knew what it felt like to have a coach push me so hard and believe in me more than me. It was that which made me perform to the best of my ability in amateur boxing and helped me become the first female ever to be voted "Athlete of the Year," by the United States Olympic Committee.

However, I needed to stay strong as their big moment was still awaiting. I gave them each a high five for a job well done and did point out how far they have come. We still had a week left of workouts before their big 5k. The big day was suppose to be on Saturday, August 27th; the day before Hurricane Irene was suppose to hit NYC, but the City of NY cancelled ALL events including our 5k. I was truly disappointed at first, but then realized, it was such a great metaphor for what truly happens in life. We can plan all we want, but life happens and we have to "roll with the punches," readjust and keep pressing forward.

I had to re rally the girls for an extra week of workouts and found another 5k the following weekend. The extra week of workouts was not suppose to be brutal, but instead, focus on maintaining what they had built over the past 8 weeks. On September 10, 2011, "Determined Ladies" ran and completed the Continental Breakfast 5k successfully! I waited for each and everyone of them as they crossed the finish line placing a finisher's medal around their neck with the biggest smile ever.

This was truly an unforgettable and rewarding Summer that has left and amazing impression in my heart. Thank You "Determined Ladies" for allowing me to coach you. My hope is that you will always remember this program during any times of difficulties and know that you can do ANYTHING, if you just give it a try. YOU are your own hero and Don't ever let anyone tell you "You Can't." Everything you need is already inside. You all were definitely worth the effort!

As a special treat that just added to the emotion, my 13 yr old niece was inspired by the "Determined Ladies" to also participate in her very first 5k with them. Nothing is so contagious as enthusiasm and I was ever so proud that it rubbed off on so many wonderful people this summer!

So for now, my mission was accomplished...When you genuinely want to inspire and get through to someone, it takes dedication, commitment and never ending belief and regardless of age, gender or race, the barriers will fade. It's faith in something and enthusiasm for something that makes a life worth living!

"Face Your Fears, Live Your Dreams!"

Much Love,
Patricia "Patty Boom Boom" Alcivar
www.patriciaalcivar.com

"La Humildad"...Humility

~ Life is a long lesson in humility. ~

I do believe that Life is a long lesson in humility. Humility has so many meanings, but to me it is accepting your faults, realizing your weaknesses/shortcomings & striving to always overcome them. Acceptance is not submission; it is acknowledgement of the facts of a situation. Then deciding what you're going to do about it.

As a child, I grew up being really afraid of the water after my father threw me in the ocean thinking my survival instincts would kick in, but instead, I nearly drowned. Ever since then, I was petrified of being in the deep waters but as I got older, I realized that the fear of the water was also tied to my fear of life, my fear of the dark, of failure & my most inner demons.

I always admired & loved watching triathletes compete, so about 6 years ago, I decided to learn how to swim. My first lesson was a disaster! I panicked the minute I got in the water & spent my entire lesson learning how to blow bubbles without passing out. Talking about humility! I spent the next 8 weeks learning the freestyle stroke, breathing & more bubbles to relax.

My belief has always been to choose a goal to intensify the meaning of what you are doing, so of course, I chose a triathlon. After 8 weeks, I was ready to participate in my 1st ever Triathlon in Harriman State Park. The morning of the Triathlon, I was surprisingly very cool until my "wave" was called & I was standing in the middle of hundreds of cap covered heads. I had only experienced swimming in the nice clear blue pool by myself, so I felt an incredible heaviness in my chest. Once the horn sounded to start my wave, I put my face in the water & felt everything literally go dark! I was swimming in Sebago Lake which was crazy dark & all my fears came back! I couldn't breathe & started to panic. Within seconds a lifeguard on a kayak came to my rescue & asked me to hold on. He asked me to climb up & take a breather which sounded perfect until he said, "if you do, you are disqualified!"

The thought of failing horrified me more than the fear of the water! The lifeguard also said, "If you decide to go back out there, you must complete the swim in under 30 minutes." I held on for about a minute & went back out there. Everything I had learned in the pool went out the window! I doggie paddled, backstroked, side stroked & even invented a few of my own. My official swim time was 29:45! The bike & the run was a piece of cake compared to the swim & I managed to finish my 1st ever Triathlon! I participated in a few more Triathlons after that including a Half Ironman, but always seemed to struggle big time on the swim. I was discouraged and kind of gave up. I am so used to being good at everything I set my mind to and couldn't understand why I couldn't kick ass in the swim.

I got overwhelmed with anxiety and uncertainty that I decided to take some time off from Triathlons. "Some time" meant about 3 yrs+ and in reality, I was running away from my fears. The water represented so many things I am afraid of & unless I stood up to them, they would always be in my path. Failing doesn't make you are a failure. Giving up, accepting your failure, refusing to try again does!

After relocating back to NYC last year, I decided to start new and accept everything about myself! I mean everything and have no regrets. On my list of dreamy goals is to one day complete an Ironman, but I have to be realistic and take the proper steps and address my fears with 100% sincerity & humility.

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day, saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
- Mary Anne Radmacher

I got back in the pool this past March with my younger sister with a goal in mind of participating in a Triathlon in July. We encouraged each other through some difficult swimming sessions and it seemed that anytime I was having a challenging time in my personal life, it would be reflected in the pool. The difference this time was my self awareness, acceptance & the courage not to give up.

On July 23rd, I came back to Triathlon Racing at the NYRR Triathlon. I was not perfect in the swim, but I was able to get through it and at the same time, I saw my sister complete her first Triathlon ever! It was definitely a great day of accomplishment for both of us!


Even though I struggled once again on the swim, this time, I was not discouraged and instead decided to go right back in the water the following week at the Central Park Triathlon and it totally paid off! I struggled less in the water, attacked the bike and the run and placed 9th female overall and swept my age division placing 1st!


I was once again very proud of my sister as she completed her 2nd Triathlon ever & I got to "Face My Fears" and take a step closer to living my dreams. This Sunday, August 7th, I will take another step and participate in my first open water triathlon of the year at the Nautica NYC Triathlon which starts in the Hudson River. I am definitely anxious and afraid, but come Sunday, I will not let that stand in the way and as a special friend said to me when the fears creep up, say "Fear, I spit in your face! I trained way too hard for this!"

To me, Triathlons, Boxing, Running and competing in general are all opportunities to learn a valuable lesson to apply to your life on humility, on accepting and improving your weaknesses, on taking a leap of faith and never giving up on yourself and for that, I am truly grateful!

Much Love,

Patricia "Patty Boom Boom" Alcivar
"Face Your Fears, Live Your Dreams!"
www.patriciaalcivar.com

"Most obstacles melt away when we make up our minds to walk boldly through them!"

The Thrill of the "Marathon"

When I was about 14 yrs old, I remember flipping the channels & totally stopping when I saw a small thin woman running her heart out. I was amazed at all the wonderful support she was getting from the crowd. All of a sudden, she was coming towards the finish line & she threw her arms up in the air & broke the tape! The cheers grew louder and I remember getting goosebumps and tears and saying, "I want to do that one day!" My mom looked at me like I had two heads & for the most part no one paid any attention to me. Besides, I was just 14yrs old & just watched Olga Markova win the Los Angeles Marathon (26.2 miles!) in 2:30.

I could not get that image out of my head & woke up the next morning to run on Queens Blvd at 5am so I could get to school on time. I was so excited! I went out that chilly morning and started to run & within a couple of blocks, got a severe stitch on my side, so I ended up walking back. Once I got back home, my whole face was burning up in sweat and that to me felt AWESOME! But,I knew right then that this was going to be crazy HARD! I was not going to give up and gave myself weekly goals to run 2 blocks farther than the week before. By the end of that year, I was practically running the whole Queens Boulevard from 48th Street to the Courthouse on 118th Street (about 7 miles!).

At 15yrs of age, I was living on my own, but never gave up on that goal! I joined the New York Road Runner's Club and started attending running classes & racing. Once I turned 16, I wrote a letter to the president of the organization at the time, Mr. Allan Steinfeld explaining my living/financial situation. He waived the entry fee & I was now all set to run my first ever NYC Marathon! I wanted to feel like that woman crossing the finish line even if at the moment had little to no support. I was doing this for me...

The day of the 26.2 mile foot race was here! I had my "red best friend" & it was ridiculously cold, but it was the day I had dreamed about for 2 years. Hearing that gun go off in Staten Island on the Verranzanno Bridge was electrifying! I felt wonderful up until mile 16 when we crossed the 59th Street Bridge..Coming off of the bridge into the amazing crowd on 1st Avenue kept me going until mile 20. I couldn't believe I had 6.2 miles left to go. My whole body ached and every step I took was painful, but I willed myself to that glorious finish line! Entering Central Park & hearing the cheers of the spectators & crossing that finish line was something I will never ever forget. If I could do this, I could do ANYTHING and during any time of challenges throughout my life, I just remember how I never gave up here or anywhere...

I went on to run 10 NYC Marathons, 2 Boston, 1 Chicago & 1 Steamtown Marathon..On Sunday, October 31, 2010, I will be running my 15th marathon at the Marine Corps Marathon. I am always so very grateful & thankful to my higher power for giving me the strength & that "never give up" attitude from a very young age.

It has always been my goal to help & inspire others as well, so after 15 weeks of training, my big sister Jackie & my wonderful manager & special friend, Johnny are all set to run Marine Corps as well. This marathon will totally ROCK!

Every marathon is special to me as I set new goals & I am reminded of how far I have come from the very first marathon 15 years ago!

"Each Marathon, Each fight is a direct reflection of how I deal with my everyday challenges!"



Much Love,

Patty Boom Boom
www.patriciaalcivar.com
"Face Your Fears, Live Your Dreams!"