Good Monday Morning Everyone

Any good drama sets the stage making it look like the hero will arrive too late. 

10,000+ Minnesotans watched trail reports become increasingly bleak in the weeks leading up to the City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival...and then, weather reports that had us on the edge of a big snowfall had us on the edge of our seats.

It all changed.

Two hours into the most glorious snowfall of the season, the Loppet organizers posted a trail report that there was enough snow on the ground to run all events as scheduled...and it was still falling.

The Loppet Foundation's mission is to "create a shared passion for year-round outdoor adventure in the Minneapolis area, focusing on underserved youth and families." The ski festival is a pageant of Minneapolis at its finest, when all ages, abilities, and backgrounds come together with shared values to enjoy the outdoors and care for our resources.

Consistent with the message of outdoor adventure that the Loppet Foundation promotes, TMT peeps of all ages and levels of experience were out representing in a variety of ski events. Well done, all!

So what's next for us?

TMT ski sessions will be in full swing until Birkie weekend and later if the weather allows. Come join us.

Weekly Events 2/8 - 2/15

Recommended Reading

It's been said that 90% of the game is half mental, and that's arguably true in both sports and life. The lessons that we learn in athletic endeavors are the same skills that facilitate life success: problem solving, motivation, enduring hardship, perspective, dealing with stress and capitalizing on assets. 

If you're interested in cultivating the best version of yourself, then these books should be on your short list.


Ryan Holiday

"Each time, you'll learn something. Each time, you'll develop strength, wisdom, and perspective. Each time, a little more of the competition falls away. Until all that is left is you: the best version of you." 

These two things are true: That life will present challenges to us, and that competition is at least partly, if not entirely, a mental game. Ryan Holiday starts with the idea that the stones in the path are not obstacles, but the stones form the path itself. 

Inspired by people throughout history that have created success and opportunity out of difficult or impossible situations, this simple guide will have you looking at your challenges with a different perspective.


Josh Waitzkin

"In my experience, successful people shoot for the stars, put their hearts on the line in every battle, and ultimately discover that the lessons learned from the pursuit of excellence mean much more than the immediate trophies and glory." 

If you remember the film Searching for Bobby Fisher, you have been acquainted with Josh Waitzkin, the young chess prodigy who won a national championship at the age of nine. What you may not know is that as an adult, he became world champion at the martial art of  Tai Chi Chuan. 

What does he think about being a prodigy?

"I've come to realize that what I am best at is not Tai Chi, and it is not chess. What I am best at is the art of learning."

Quick Links to Recommended Events

Saturday, February 20th  American Birkebeiner

Train Me Tom | | tom@trainmetom.com | http://www.trainmetom.com
Mount Curve Rd.
Bloomington, MN 55438