Day 4 - Cross Train

"I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through--then follow through." - Sir Walter Scott

Miles Ran: 8 Dollars Raised: $100

It's all about the follow through.

Today was another long day at work, and when I had about an hour to kill between basketball practice and a committee meeting I thought I'd get my cross training in by doing something I definitely needed work on: my own basketball skills.

I felt like such an idiot yesterday at practice when, of course, as I go to do my first lay-up in front of all the girls, I was too scattered-brained, thinking to myself, "OHMYGOD THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE TOUCHED A BALL IN MONTHS!" that I totally missed the simplest shot in the sport of basketball. As if these 12 and 13 year old girls would think less of me or something. And that I would care?!...which apparently I do.

So I reverted back to my high school days of just me, the ball, and an empty gym. It's kind of an awesome feeling to have a gym all to yourself, to do whatever drills you want, with no one else but yourself as a critic. I stood there. Focused. Going over in my head repeatedly, "finger pads on the ball, bend the knees, extend the arm, shoot like it's going through the top of a telephone booth, follow through." I felt like I was getting into a rhythm but still had the same instructions going through my head every time. The follow through, I think, is the most important part. You need to have that backspin on the ball, and when you do it perfectly, the ball swishes and rewards you by returning itself so you don't have to move.

I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly it all came back to me (8 out of 10 foul shots ain't bad!) and as I moved around the empty floor it felt familiar. But that follow through was key. Especially on my closing 3-pointer of the night ;)

As far as fundraising goes, though that lonely $100 could use some company, I feel like I'm more in the planning stages and want to make appeals to people in the most effective way. I'm willing to delay the initial "DONATE TO ME RIGHT NOW!" speech to be better prepared. I ordered all of these business cards today with my information, websites and BDL info on it, and then "ways YOU can make a difference" on the back. Hopefully I'll get them next week and can kind of use those as a marketing tool for acquaintances.