to blog about, or not to blog about

that’s the question!  I’m the first one to admit that I am new to this.  Granted, I’ve been blogging for about a year now, so I’m not brand new, but it still feels like a new pursuit and I definitely have not figured out what “blogging” is exactly.  For me, that is.  I haven’t found my voice and am still exploring what to share and what to hold back.  From what people tell me, the more the merrier and it’s the personal details that make a story interesting.  But, what I struggle with is the fact that people around me read the blog and some of the things that I say could potentially be upsetting.  So, do you try and candy coat things, or leave out the details if they are potentially damning?  Do I pull a Mark Twain and write it all down but then postpone the publishing for 100 years?  It’s a thought..

Not sure, but for the time being I’ll try and keep things interesting without burning bridges..

I’m in Florida and am not sure yet if this was a good idea.  As far as training goes, that is.  I think it’s pretty much always a good idea to get out of the rain and cold and warm your toes in the ocean for a bit!  But, I had a solid routine going with my training, exercise, diet, sleep patterns, girlfriend, friends and coaches that has been completely tossed onto it’s head in the last week.  Now, I’m in a foreign land trying to figure out how to replicate what I spent 9 months building in Portland for a 4 week training stint.  It’s a learning experience, for sure, but the main lesson I’m learning might be that I need to keep my training simple and stick to a routine.  Who knows, though, by the end of this I might learn that you can really amp up learning by throwing yourself fully into a new situation.  Hard to say, this is all so new.

I can safely say that I’ve run into a bit of a rut over the past few days.  I feel like there is a huge weight in my gut and I cannot seem to get myself excited or happy about anything.  I’ve tried exercise, vegetables, vitamin D, sunshine, taking an afternoon off to fish, walks on the beach, writing, reading, family time, baths, chats with the girlfriend, long drives, movies, laundry (getting desperate here), etc.  Nothing seems to work and I’m starting to get worried.  Perhaps my body has become physically addicted to cloudy days and rain!  Maybe not, but I’m willing to give anything a shot right now..  So, needless to say, it’s been a tough training week.  I have become very aware of cycles over the past 1,100 hours of training and can see how this may be a cyclical faze, but it’s lasted longer and been deeper than any troughs of the past.  I’m going to pay attention to all the details and hopefully I can put a finger on the culprit and hopefully not have to repeat this in the future.

For now, I’m going to finish reading an article about “Quiet Eyes” and putting that Dr. K Anders Ericsson forwarded to me.  here is an exert that basically sums up the research:

“In effect, by holding a ball focused QE throughout the putting stroke and through impact, golfers are able to ensure a more accurate contact with the sweet spot of the putter, ensuring more consistent ball strike.”

Not only should you keep your eyes quiet (insert focussed on the back of the ball here) for roughly 2 seconds before you begin your backstroke, but also for 200-300 ms after impact.

If you would like to read the article, please click here:

vine et al 2011 quiet eye training facilitates competitive putting performance in elite golfers

That’s it for today, I’m off to sleep and start a new and HOPEFULLY more uplifting week tomorrow!