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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Lost – The Zen of Running

Somewhere along the road I’ve lost my Zen of running. It was my sanctuary. A motion, a place, a time all my own. Now it feels like a chore. And I mean chore! I’m breathing heavy, my heart rate is up – I just want to stop running and walk!
This greatly saddens me as running was something simple – that I enjoyed.
It’s right up there in my top 3 things life has to offer.

Why the change?

Something wrong with the mechanics? I’ve been waking up with uneasiness that something is physically wrong with me. (The hypochondriac syndrome.). I do have an appt for a full physical soon.
Another life passage? As Gail Sheehy in Passages so honestly said;

” All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another!"

Classic case of burnout? Many days I had to force myself to do the long runs while training for the Half…

Whatever is going on; let’s pray I get over it fast. I miss my relationship with running.

I see John “the penguin” Bingham is working on a plan to get out of a slump – I hope it works for him. Finding the Rhythm

Some mindful suggestions I’ve been considering: [Thanks Donna Cardillo]

• Set intention.
• Ground yourself.
• Create good karma.
• Affirm your path.
• Aspire to new heights.
• Be mindful in everything you do.
• Tap into your life force.

Do you have any ideas? I would appreciate your feedback.
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Trail Race – Check!

Beneath a blue sky the woods spread, entry - a single path leading upwards…
Who said running up hills was easy?

The first mile and half was a vigorous uphill climb with switch backs and scrambles. I have to be honest and admit I did convert to hiking in several areas just so I could catch my breath. [What an awesome workout!]



The next stage of the trail was gently rolling - easy going. It was on this part of the trail that I felt the woods take over… It may have been the mountain air or the isolation – but I ran like a wild turkey!

This gift of running, I so often take for granted, transformed into an epic passion. I’m alive, free and I can run!

Fears:

• Getting Lost – They said just stay on the trail unless you see a white chalk arrow – then follow that. (Great system - BTW)
• Eaten by a Cougar – I did hear things in the woods…but was so busy concentrating on the next foot placement – I had no fear.
• Getting Injured – No trips, tumbles or falls. Later that day, my neck was sore as hell, strange? Plus my Ankles and arches were a tad stiff. (I need some trail shoes!)

Post race snacks:

Shot Bloks, bananas, and chocolate chip cookies! In the cooler, water and a few brews, but I don’t drink beer before breakfast ;) We headed to a nearby bakery and discovered a farmers market set up in the parking lot. NICE!
I drove home nibbling on a vegan berry streusel, and sipping on an Americano. Had a large cantaloupe on my lap!
I will definitely check out other trail runs in the future.

Wore the tread off my Pegs!

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Quotes That Heal

As I said to myself, “No please – not my back…” my running schedule materialized; but like smoke from a Genie's bottle, it disappeared into thin air. I’ve been here before and know the routine. No running until the back pain is under control...

Quotes that helped:

“Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from." Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
* Stop blaming myself.

"If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." Tony Robbins
* There is always something I can learn about my body.

"It’s human nature to start taking things for granted again when danger isn't banging loudly on the door.” David Hackworth
* I will never grumble about going for a run again!

"Everyone has been made for some particular work, and the desire for that work has been put in every heart." Rumi
* My work is running.

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up." Jim Valvano
* Looking over my race bibs and times – I’ve still got a lot to do.

"Life is about timing." Carl Lewis
* Taking some time off from running (even if it is forced) gives me time for reflection.

"Find a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain." Joseph Campbell
* My joy is to just be outside – whatever I do out there will carry me through the day. I’m going to attempt a very gentle run later today. And if I have to walk – that’s OK!

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Fear of Getting Lost

Not far ahead, the path parted and the familiar slipped away…

As I send in my registration form for my first trail race in the woods. (See below) I hesitate, perhaps my fears are purely speculative.



For it is not the falling, getting dirty or the lack of proper gear that is holding me back – It’s the fear of getting lost and then looking like a fool.
I emailed the race director, asking him if it was an OK race for beginners. He said it was fairly easy and very scenic.
No mention of any lost runners from last year...

Surely, they will have markers along the way.

My growing Checklist:

• Bring a trail map. (I’m going to need bigger pockets.)
• Carry a cell phone and turn on the Garmin.
• Run with elbows tucked in.
• Don’t shuffle. (Me – prancing.)
• Look out for low branches and giant spider webs.
• Just try and keep your eyes on the trail – not the scenery.

I do know - I’m physically ready for this challenge!

Should You Train Like a Caveman?

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Not Giving Up

“Success is usually the culmination of controlling failure.”
– Rocky

I repeated the first week of the 100 pushups ( part of the Juneathon challenge) in the foolish belief that it would get easier.
It didn’t. I struggled with the full push-up. My left shoulder and trap ached continually...
So instead of giving up, I'm shifting to the Bent knee push-ups.
MizFit says don’t call them girl push-ups!
[But, I’ve never seen guys doing them this way?]
Someday I hope to advance to the Maltese push-up!

Juneathon Day 16
Powerwalking 2.18 miles
[Week 2] 100 pushups, 4,6,4,4,6
3x20 lunges


What is a Juneathon?

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On Mindfulness

Today I got up at 6:45 despite an eyeball headache and lack of sleep. It's Monday - my morning to walk the dog.
As I walked along the trail with the sun just glazing the Coburg Hills,
I realized instead of taking this all in, I was busily planning my day – where to run, what to wear, shopping list add-ons, etc...



I glanced down at my dog. She was truly IN THE MOMEMT – sniffing the wind, head up, looking at the path.
In that moment, I came back.
It is not an easy task - for me anyways - to be in the moment.
I believe the term coined for this is mindfulness.
It grounds us in the present.
So during today’s run - I spent 20 minutes – unplugged, just listening to my breath, my heartbeat, the rhythm of my footsteps. Reconnecting with the pleasure of running.

Life is not a someday thing
or a one day thing.
It is a right now,
everyday thing.
Life is in the living,
every hour of every day.
- source unknown

Other Things We Can Learn from Dogs

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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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