🍂10 Items: Fall Family Activities

You have plenty of things to do in the fall season. Don't let your resident, "I'm bored/This is boring," family member or friend ruin or destroy your enthusiasm for the activities you like. So, in random order, below are 10 great fall activities:

Apple Picking

Pumpkin Picking

Hiking

Bicycling

Corn Maze

Hayride

High Ropes Course

Skate

Park/Playground

Beach

The beach. No one said you had to swim a Ledecky distance in the ocean. But, you will probably love the vibe.

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com 

🏏 Danehy Park, Cambridge, MA

(A throwback to a 2015 post. Published now)

Nestled in a nice area of Cambridge, MA is Danehy Park. Over the past few years, I have held TEEM Performance Training outdoor group training sessions at this great location. But, the essence of Danehy is truly preserved in the abundance of exercisers, walkers, and fitness enthusiasts that circumvent the biggest park in Cambridge.

The morning typically serves as a good morning wake-up for plenty of dog walkers, runners, bicyclists, and boot campers. The evening sees the influx of dog walkers, walkers, runners, sports such as soccer, ultimate Frisbee, softball, volleyball, and even croquet.

Danehy Park is definitely a pleasant haven for those individuals who enjoy the outdoors, the sun, plenty of grass, and plenty of activity. Danehy speaks freedom, in addition to access, in my opinion. Every Danehy attendee:

...Has the freedom to play soccer.
...Has the freedom to play lacrosse.
...Has the freedom to play ultimate Frisbee.
...Has the freedom to run around the track.
...Has the freedom to play with their child at the playground.
...Has the freedom to work on certain athletic and fitness skills like a normal person.
...Has the freedom to play Cricket.
...Has the freedom to play softball and baseball at St. Peter's Field.

In addition, you can throw a bbq too!

Of course, you can say, "so what!" Well, how far is the closest park to you that has all of these amenities and more? Is it 10 miles away, 5 miles away, or more? Better yet, do you live near a park at all? Have you visited the closest park to you? Is your park nasty looking? Does it receive the wrong crowd (safety issues)? Is it family-friendly?

Danehy Park is extremely family-friendly!

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com 

Baseball Stressors

The 2022 Major League Baseball season is almost done. With the American League Championship Series and the National League Championship Series in process, a champion will be crowned in the next couple of weeks. You might be a Yankees fan as they face the Astros. You might be a Padres fan as they face the Phillies. One truth is that baseball relaxes you, especially when you do not have a team in championship fray.

What do I mean by this take?

I am talking about football. Yes, American football.

See, football is talked about way too much to the point that people get super stressed. They worry about their fantasy team, their favorite team's struggles, their streaming or cable package. 

Lol.

So, baseball is present to ease tensions because the sport has that effect. It slows down the sport environment. Ease your active football mind, folks! Listen to a baseball game on the radio. 

Breeeeaaaathe!

Don't drown in gridiron gumbo. Not talking about the real gumbo because that is good. Figurative gridiron gumbo. Alright, that's not working....Don't get gridiron grouchy and all worked up like Mary J's lyrics.

Let baseball help you breathe. It is almost over. But, let it pull you through or to week 9 of the football season.

You need it.

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com  

Your Food at Thanksgiving

Food Inflation & Thanksgiving

You may need to get creative this Thanksgiving.

Maybe.

Now, don't cook too crazy. I am not saying that you have to replace turkey with some type of engineered meat. Nor, do you have to make up some kind of dish that sounds disgusting or too interesting to the point that it genuinely tastes like crap.

Please love your guests.

Have gratitude.

Look, if you read the article linked above, then you are reminded about the higher grocery prices. You know what's up. So, changes may need to occur around the holidays to protect your food budget and food experiences. Perhaps, you may travel to several food outlets. Make a hybrid of grocery shopping: Farmer's markets, TJ's, Aldi, and other. I am only sharing an example. But, you may find grocery solace with a diversified shopping core.

Food at Thanksgiving is all too important to have many missed opportunities on the dinner table. Thanksgiving is one holiday in which guests like the foods they always like. So, if you cook something new or add a new ingredient, then introduce as if the dish is the bomb. Introduce the food as if, you will miss out if you do not try a small taste.

Show your confidence, home chef!

Make the food rules!

Wake up or good to bed on Thanksgiving Eve in attack mode and ready to conquer the kitchen!

Then, debate best pies later.

Got it?

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com 

Look At This! Here is proof that people will make new strides in cooking. I saw this article on Sunday, October 23rd: Homemade Butter

Don't Botch A Win

What does the title mean?

How in the world do you botch a win? Not just in games but as the botch and the win relate to daily life.

Hmm???

Well, here is an upfront example:

The Washington Commanders (2-4) won their second game of the season last night, 12-7, on Thursday Night Football as they played the Chicago Bears (2-4). The win had signs of ugliness and concern on both squads. Of course, and as blogged last week, the Commanders have a plethora of drama that surrounds the organization with more recent drama brought to the limelight Thursday morning.  

However...

Fans are ticked off and unhappy. I get it. They want a better product. They want a better win. 

You have Coach Rivera ticked off at the post-game news conference. Sure, he made an unwanted comment earlier in the week. OK, so let him resolve it with the team and Wentz. What happens in the locker room should, in this case, strengthen the locker room. Capiche?

Pretty sure someone else is mad as well.

But, don't botch a win. How do you botch a win? You stay mad. Simple as that. You treat the win like a loss or a losing process. Games may not yield pretty wins. Life wins may not look pretty as well (e.g., getting a job that has a long and stressful commute even though your salary increased by 40k).

The individuals who do not want to hear this message are the ones who have been fed up with mediocrity. That's fine. Let them handle their moment until they come around. Drop the yea, but mentality because it will stress you out about a win.

In a team atmosphere, the team is the strongest asset to a win. Not the fans. Not casual fans of a sport. The individuals in the locker room know the real deal. Everyone outside of the locker room only has a basket full of opinions. So, keep the cohesion within the team despite any other shortcomings.

A team has to move on to the next game as a win lingers for a couple of days or more. But, players overcome shortcomings and success in order to build upon them. 

So, a win is a win is a win! That's it.

Much success to you | Derek |@teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com 

Hold & Stretch

Whenever I read the title of this topic, I think about the song, Breathe and Stop, by Q-Tip

Just huh. Hold and stretch. For real, and give it what you fetch. Oh snap! I've got fake bars!

OK, I'll stop. Lol.

The qualities in strength & conditioning and fitness vary. You will read, see, and hear coaches, specialists, and trainers tell you and others to stretch. You should stretch.

Some of you can barely touch your knees when you bend over at the hip. That's a flexibility problem. I'd like for you to have the flexibility to at least touch your toes without excessive knee bend. Yes, I set up general flexibility pre-requisites. 

Another change I made: Holding stretches for 60 seconds versus 20 or 30 seconds. The change is intended for the intermediate to advanced skill levels. But, oh, it feels sooooo good.

In addition to stretching muscles, you should hold your joints.

D, hold my joints?

Yes. See your joints, without getting too scientific on you, move in different directions in conjunction with various muscles that either oppose or work in unison. When you hold or move a joint against gravity (stress or load), you wake up the joint. You prepare it for its next movement.

A simple example: Spread out your fingers and hold them for five seconds. Now, relax them. If you grab objects often, you can do this exercise. It may give you more stability and control.

Another easy example: Sit in a chair. Now, lift your right leg and hold for five seconds. Relax. Your hip and knee love a little blood flow without the rigors of larger loads as seen in lunges and squats.

In fact, if you hold a joint, then stretch the same joint...you may develop a better stretch. A hold and stretch technique - it is one of the basic stretches in rehab and general stretching. 

I like to use this technique with sore muscles, prior to a workout with short holding (1 to 4 seconds), especially if a muscle is tight.

D, what about stretching before a workout? We're still on that topic? Look, I'll say this: don't completely relax your muscle before a workout that demands excitability. Relax that bad boy when you or when it is time to relax and rest.

Capiche?

Hold and stretch. Give it what you got.

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com 

You're Unhappy with Your Commanders

Green - a calm color

I get it.

Bad is bad.

Fans of the Washington Commanders are fed up. They are so fed up that Tony Perkins of the Donny Simpson show on Magic 102.3 and formerly of #GetUpDC on WUSA9 is tweet mad. 

How do you upset T-Perk??? C'mon, now!

Detroit, Cleveland, and other teams that have had bad years, you don't have to read on. You have your own issues but keep winning.

Alright, let's cut to the link between busyness and success: It is difficult to have intense busyness and scrutiny over a year or more and expect to have a very successful team.

Hold up!...Stop! I mentioned this comment not as an excuse because it is far from an excuse.

But, check it out: How many pro teams do you know that had successful seasons or that won championships after an intense off-season full of issues occur?

I'll wait.

Actually, let's list the stat line:

Rams...No intense, multiple off-season issues. Won Super Bowl.

Buccaneers...No intense,  multiple off-season issues. Won Super Bowl.

Chiefs...No intense, multiple off-season issues. Won Super Bowl.

Let's go to basketball:

Warriors, Aces, Sky, Bucks...No intense, multiple off-season issues. Won the Larry O'Brien.

Hockey:

Avalanche, Lightning, Blues, Capitals...No intense, multiple off-season issues. Won the Stanley Cup.

Baseball: 

Braves, Dodgers, Nationals...No intense, multiple off-season issues. Won the World Series

NFL Playoff teams:

Patriots...Juggled with a new QB. No intense, multiple off-season issues. Plus, they handled issues well. Still won.

Packers...Juggled any challenges with Rodgers. No intense, multiple off-season issues.

Bills, Heat, Penguins, Cardinals, Sun, Galaxy, Spirit, 49ers, Bengals...

OK, you get it.

The intense off-season issues that have bombarded the Commanders of recent:

1. Name changes
2. Jersey change
3. Stadium relocation talk (it adds stress)
4. Stadium malfunctions
5. Coaching carousel
6. QB carousel
7. Owner and front office malfunctions
8. Cheerleader mishap
9. Training staff problems
10. Major driving infarction

My goodness! No other playoff or championship team in any of the typical five major pro sports leagues (baseball, basketball, football, ice hockey, and soccer) has experienced all of these intense issues in the last two years.

Yes, I know the problems have existed for a longer period of time. You are only supporting and adding to my argument by saying that.

All of the aforementioned issues made national news. ALL. OF. THEM. 

It would take one heck of an organization with extremely strong up front leadership in order to overcome everything and present to the public a Super Bowl or 12-5 caliber squad. No other team that has had recent success has seen this much intensity off the field, which has certainly affected on-field performance.

Do you think these issues affect coach and player mindset? Absolutely! 

With social media, fans will talk everything about it. Sports talk radio will mention everything. Opposing fans mention it. Everyone knows about the problems at the Command Center.

Look, I grew up a Redskins fan. So, I enjoyed the thrills of great teams and yelling at the TV. Lol. I don't get stressed on Sundays because I don't want to. I listen to everyone else. I also lived in New England for ten years and witnessed all of their success in sports. I drank some of the NE sports juice. It tasted good even through all of the -gates. Let me say that...when this area talks about the Commanders and other teams, the mood is downright depressing. Goodness, folks. Stop!

So, what is the plan?

Well, despite the eight, nine, ten, or more issues mentioned above, the team still has to practice, draft, play, coach, and win well. The overhead problems do not help. As you can see, no team has succeeded with A through Z and a couple of umlauts and accents of errors. Minimize the errors intra and inter-org. 

Folks, you have been in this situation yourselves. Strengthen your structure with a fine toothed comb. Attack the problems that bother you and serve as distractions. Then, orchestrate a win. 

As far as time...well, psssh, significant change can happen exponentially. It has not commanded in this case.

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com 

 

🏈 You’ll Be Fine With 'The Pro Bowl Games'

Excitement renewed in February?

Perhaps.

The NFL Pro Bowl has ended and will be replaced with the Pro Bowl Games. Unfamiliar with the sequence? 

Well, you can read about it here: Pro Bowl Games

Sometimes, we have to make changes in our routine in order to keep the fire burning. Wait, let me less cliché that sentence: Go forward by letting go. It's easy in this case but more difficult with individual pursuits.

See, the Pro Bowl ran its course for 71 years. Give it its flowers. But, football, with its aggression and injurious environment did not fit an all-star game played at the end of a season after each player has endured a physical grind. 

Well, what about other aggressive sports that have all-star games such as ice hockey? They hit in ice hockey. Heck, you can get injured in any game. Plus, the other sports have their all-star games in mid-season.

Phew! Calm down what about... crowd. Have you seen a football injury lists? You still have to block and tackle in football, which increases injury potential. Who wants to injure themselves in a fan-game? The other sports do not have a high cause for injury:

Ice hockey. They changed to a 3v3 tournament. You can still play hockey at a high level without the checks. Problem solved.

Basketball. Its NBA All-Star game is still 5v5. Sure you can sprain an ankle or hurt a knee. But, players are not hampering down on defense to cause injury.

Baseball. MLB is the MLB. No one is charging the catcher or crashing into walls with 80 games to go.

Lacrosse. Similar to all three aforementioned. You can see a competitive lax game without the checks. 

So, it was time for football. Flag football and skills will replace the regular game because who wants to see a tackle football game played as though it is touch football?...Hence, a reason for the change.

Rest his soul and what a phenomenal player he was...Sean Taylor did not want that at all. See his massive hit here: Sean Taylor - Greatest

We can adjust to this change with some ease.

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com 

⚾️ Pujols Consistency

You can find #Pujols700 on socal media and relive the 2022 MLB season with Albert Pujols.

I heard an interesting stat the other day. A commentator said that two of the four 700 homerun club hitters, Pujols and Hank Aaron, never hit 50+ dingers in a season.

Pujols - had as low as 17 in 2013 and 2021 and even 6 in 2021. He has averaged 31 homeruns per season (still in-season for 2022).

Aaron - 755 total HRs, with his lowest season total in his first year in 1954 with 13 and his last two seasons in 1975 and 1976 with 12 and 10, respectively. 

Consistency, as you can see, can garner you the stats that you want. 

Pujols' highest total in a season: 49.

Aaron's highest total in a season: 47.

I still like single season homerun record chases, but a consistent career of solid yard-burners takes the cake and sustained applause. 

Plus, you have to cheer for players who consistently turn out until the age of 40 and beyond. The feat gives hope, excites, and shows athletic prowess. 

So, you're not a baseball fan. You don't need to be one. Congratulate the success. Recognize the difficult feat. Ask yourself, why do the records of baseball athletes matter to me? 

For one, records have a potential to motivate. You may play another sport and feel compelled to achieve more results and to push more influence. For instance, during ice hockey practice as a youth, I pretended that I was racing against Carl Lewis, a former world record holder in the men's 100m dash because it made me skate faster and finish through the line despite major quad fatigue.

Second, records make you feel good. But, you have to get by any animosity you have toward a player because that thought process is horrendous anyway. Applaud a rival who sets a league record because you witnessed history. I remember when Sosa and McGuire battles through their homerun record-setting season in 1998. 

That homerun race brought me back to baseball. It was fun.

Pujols, even with small social media highlights as he chased 700 homeruns, has made some people smile...probably in Cubs Nation too. 

Congratulations!

Much success to you | Derek | @teemptraining | derekteempt@gmail.com