Our New Normal

Okay Thermopylae Family, we have entered into our new normal. We have been faced with a challenge that is no different than those that we have faced before or those that we will face in the future. By keeping a clear head, an open heart and a keen ear to the recommendations provided by the professionals we will prevail. When we do, we will no longer take for granted a kind word, an offered hand, a high five or a hug.

One of these recommendations is "social distancing". Social is where we are strongest. You have heard me say it's "we not me", "team first" and "everyone finishes". We are stronger together but "social distancing" is a term for something much bigger. Something we should hide from or fear. By following these recommendations, we keep each other strong and we look out for one another by keeping our distance.

This distance can cause us to feel isolated, alone, and restricted from our "family" at school, in our community and in our homes. It can make us feel like one, instead of one of many.

However, we have a powerful tool at our disposal that makes this distance seem smaller. Technology has the ability to bridge that gap and allow us to communicate at a social level that is unheard of during any previous worldwide emergency.

With that, myself and the Thermopylae team, have begun a process of creating content and experiences that will allow you to remain physically and mentally strong. We will cover topics of strength training, cardiovascular training, Physical Literacy, "Movement is Life", flexibility, mobility, and many more.

They will be posted within the blog with videos being posted in the video content section of the Thermopylae website (https://thermopylaeocr.wixsite.com/thermopylaefitness) and workouts posted daily. Additionally, there will be a "Friday Fitness Challenge" every Friday and a "Tempo Challenge" on Tempo Tuesdays. The first Friday Fitness Challenge happened today with a maximum chest to floor burpees in one minute.

So far, our top score is from Praetorian Ayla with 28 in a minute with Coach Mechelse a close second at 24. Scores can be posted on the Thermopylae Instagram page (https://www.instagram.com/thermopylaeocr/). Daily workouts and Friday fitness challenges can also be found here.

You are also always welcome to email me at thermopylaeocr@gmail.com with any questions you have, ideas for workouts or tempo songs that we could create a challenge to.

I am very lucky to have a group of athletes and coaches that are putting this content together for you and it is my hope to recognize them for their hard work in these trying times.

The motto that the Thermopylae has lived with for the past nine year is "Aut Viam Inveniam, Aut Faciam". This means "Find a way or make one".

Find a way with me, and the rest of the Thermopylae team, and we can make a bright future for all of us.

#strongertogether

Coach Maher and the Thermopylae Team