Phillip Kriss, Athlete & Chiropractor

If this is the post-apocalyptic end of the world life as we know it, then count me in. It’s looking pretty good so far! I had been telling people for months not to worry. My iPhone had 2013 on the calendar, so I was pretty sure things were going to continue on much as they had! But for sure one thing that is coming to a close is 2012. We all pause for a moment at some point in the next week or so and just take a breath. We made it. Another year is in the books. How did it go? What worked and what didn’t? Who is important to me? What can I do for them? What must I leave behind now, either because it doesn’t serve me or simply because it’s time to move on and into a new realm in my life? Likely you had lots of successes, maybe some events that didn’t turn out quite the way you had hoped, and likely a handful still on the list that are left undone begging your energy in the upcoming year. What will you change? What course is best to hold steady and unwavering on? Is it time to try ...

“The stupidest thing I planned to do” Why? Last year I knew a guy that ran the quadzilla (4 marathons in 4 days).  He passed me up before the halfway point at the Seattle marathon never to be seen by me again.  That had my curiosity up. How was he able to do that? Mark Casey and Heidi Kriss were also pressuring me to do this for most of the year.  I really did not want to do it. I feared training myself to run slow and/or hurting myself. It sounded painful and dangerous. I wanted a way out where I could save my precious pride, so I developed an exit plan so I could quit anytime during their run if I felt like it. In the end I thought that I’m not much of a runner, especially a fast one, and maybe I will learn something to help me reach higher levels of performance.  Then, if others with less levels of fitness can do it, so can I. Also if I can do it, why would I not at least give it the best shot I could? The training I packed in several long runs week a...

It is important to be sweet and soft especially to others when they are hurting.  There is a time when we need to have deference and listen and be compassionate and be nice to others and ourselves. There is also a time when we need to toughen up. Not all of life’s decisions are easy or our choice on what to do next clear or what needs to be done simple and easy. Procrastination only makes matters worse. So next time you have something difficult to do or a difficult conversation you really don’t want to have ask yourself if it is a good time to be a hammer or a banana and get it done

That is what one of my buddies told me after he gave me his advice on how to swim faster. It amounted to putting out way more effort than I was used to, especially towards the end of the swim. And he made it really clear when he ended his point again saying “make no bones about it, it will be uncomfortable” The next race and in several other situations of life over the next few weeks, when the going got tough for whatever reason, I thought to myself “It will be uncomfortable” That statement has many applications. Being overweight and out of shape is uncomfortable. But so is getting up early and going to the gym. Not to mention the effort required to push away that cookie… Many people come into my office with sciatica, a radiating pain that goes down the back of the legs. After a few days if improvement, extra walking can help tremendously. It is uncomfortable at first? You bet….Does it help? Yes. Is it worth the investment of energy? Yes. Is taking drugs comfortable and ...

I don’t think most tough athletes get out of bed super early to go work out because they like it. I think they would find staying in bed much more comfortable. Getting up at 4:15 to run in the cold dark rain does not sound like much fun at all. How can anybody do that year after year and be successful at it? Would the motivation be to loose weight? That may work for a while but most attain their goal weight and back to their old habits they go. The thrill of a podium finish? Maybe, but over time that looses it’s flair, and few win forever. I think there is one common thread I have observed that make any fitness program work, and that is other people. I do know ironmen who train alone, which makes sense because you race alone. But, who would choose aloneness over doing it with others that have the same goal in mind? I found myself in a similar predicament a few weeks ago. My wife “made” me get out of bed at 4:15 and go to a strength and endurance class at our local gym with som...

Quotes: “If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere.” “The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.” ____________________________ •Look at your past What got in the way last time you attempted to lose weight or exercise? Was your diet too strict, were you feeling deprived, were you tired/sore, were you confused about how to exercise? Were you too busy? Make a list and then figure out how fix those things this time. Break the cycle. •Be realistic Losing weight or getting fit can be slow and it isn’t always a linear process. Even if you don’t see results, your body IS changing, burning more calories, gaining more muscle. Give your body the time to respond, and make sure your goals are realistic. •Get excited Do you remember why you were so excited when you first started the contest? What was your original goal? Remind yourself of that goal, how you want...