Motivation Break Down

“We run when we’re scared, we run when were ecstatic, we run
away from our problems and run around for a good time.”
Christopher McDougall Born to Run:

I’ve been running for over 25 years. It keeps me sane and connected to the outside world. Until recently… I’ve lost my running self.
(See previous post – Lost – The Zen of Running)
So like any runner with trouble spots, I head out looking for some quick solutions.
I stumbled upon this Greek concept while looking up motivation.
Arete

“Its basic sense means goodness, excellence, or virtue …this notion of excellence was ultimately bound up with the notion of the fulfillment of purpose or function: the act of living up to one's full potential.”

As my race PR times began to flounder – so did my motivation. (I discover there is a connection.)
If by running I am striving for excellence – my only true opponent is myself. Why get on the track and run 400s over and over again? Why push my body and soul to the limit? Since the outcome remains fixed - I no longer run PR s but PW s.

“Motivations aren’t external but internal – things we do for our own satisfaction."
Daniel Pink

Reasons WHY I RUN that are no longer motivational:

• For Health
• To Compete
• For Sanity – Well this is a Must Do indulgent – No choice.

Looks like I need to do some more research on motivation and purpose. Until then I will keep on running - albeit aimlessly.

Please share links to your favorite Motivational Post or Blog. I would love to read them.

More Ideas:
Re-Motivation: When It Just Ain’t Happening
Direction Poster
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
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How Has Your Running Changed as You've Aged?

I have been simmering over this article for the last month, and I'm still having a hard time formulating a remark. Did it make me feel better or worse?
Should I throw in the towel?
Give up doing races?


In this article in the WSJ - Older, Wiser, Slower. The writer shares his reason for slowing down. (A Cardiologist told him, “…keep your heart rate below 120.")
He gives example of athletes who have made adjustments but he did not elaborate on their happiness...

“If your have to go as fast at 50 as you did at 20, you will grind yourself into the ground.” – Mark Allen

In the article's side bar:
How has your athletic activity changed as you've aged?

Reader’s comments:

• “Trained every day - 50+ miles per week. Now I realize that this was killing my spirit to enjoy running, etc. I am more laid back and don't care if a friend beats me in a 5k”
• “…count every healthy day as a blessing.”
• “There's a middle zone you need to find, which is little beyond what's comfortable, but not miserable for you.”

My Comments:

• I can still run fast but not for the same distances.
• It takes weeks not days to recover from a race.
• I need to warm up and yes some days it takes 20 minutes.
• I feel stiff – I’m forced to warm up before I take off.
• When I push myself at the end of a race I feel horrible.
• Instead of celebrating a PR, I beat myself up for not going faster.

If this sounds like runner burn-out, you’re wrong. It’s a fact of life - unless you’ve found some magical Sports Drink.
No matter what you do - your body still has an expiry date.

How has your running changed as you've aged?

Keeping Track

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young." - Henry Ford

My attempt to learn something new everyday for personal growth has fallen by the wayside. It's not that I don’t learn things - I just don't keep track of it all. Perhaps by using these icons I can categorize what I've absorbed throughout the day.

Friday, February 06, 2009

Learning from The Feeling Good Handbook - it's therapeutic to write down your destructive thoughts and analyze them. “The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your "cognitions," or thoughts.” Think about sad stuff – feel sad.

Listened to an MP3 podcast from PhilospersNotes on Authentic Happiness.(Ideas from a book written by Dr. Seligman.) Thinking positively graces everything we do. We all have strengths - find them!




With another race tomorrow, I check my race bibs for my PRs. This year I'm not going to beat myself up over my time. And ACCEPT it as part of being a runner. BUT I’m not going to stop trying. Re-reading Matt's post - Never Satisfied. Where he explores the "spirit of discontent."

What are you learning today?

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Lance Continues to Inspire

It seems lately Lance Armstrong’s face is everywhere.
[My latest issue of Outside.]


Last September, he confirmed he was going to re-enter the racing circuit which included the 2009 Tour de France !
He’s battled with cancer – now he’s taking on the aging process. At 37 he’s heading back into completion with an attitude I just love .

“For me, at my age, athletics is more metaphysical than physical. I’m 37. I prove to myself and others that I can still compete and I hope I can inspire others along the way.” - Lance

He states his main reason for his comeback is to promote his cancer charity organization LiveStrong. I know one thing - he’s an inspiration for cancer victims!

Thanks Lance for giving us all hope.
PS.
Good Luck in the Tour Down Under – next week.

Lance Spotting:

Vanity Fair
Outside
Mens Health
NY Daily News

Related Links:

The Metaphysics of Athletes and Age
Why Old Athletes Come Back

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One Word Resolution

I don’t do New Year's Resolutions because I’m too hard on myself when I fail.
Declaring that – I somehow always feel left out as everyone discusses their New Year challenges...
But this sounds like a better method;

Pick a word for the year

This is more of a stance than a burden and not as overwhelming as a regular list of resolutions.
(Term coined by Christine Kane – “Resolution-revolution a better way to start your year.")

I’m going with;

Acceptance

About: growing older, my lack of courage, about reaching my running capabilities, etc, etc…

Happy New Year and Good Luck with your list of New Year Resolutions.

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