Peaking for the Big Race

It used to be we'd start football practice in August, work like whirling dervishes for several months and then the season would be over. Same with track. We'd start training in March for the start of the season in early April. By May we'd peak for the district or state championships and then go on to other pursuits.

Today, athletics is a year-round endeavor. It's about preparing not for a season but for a life.

The Younger Next Year program that pays the most dividends for the least investment is an hour a day, six days a week, four days of aerobics and two days of weights, with a day of rest a week for good behavior. We are not in this to win a league championship, or a state title. We are in this for quality of life, because most of us will live a long time, whether we want to or not, and it's up to us whether those years are quality.

The Big Race now is life.