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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The Finish Line

The Eugene Marathon (May 2 2010)

My physical training is done; now to deal with the mental stuff that fills every waking moment.

“You’re not running fast enough to get in under 2 hours.”
“This will be the first race I DNF!”
“You're over dressing – I will be the only runner in long sleeves.” Ect, etc

So starting today I’m going stop and ask myself, “Is this thought empowering or disempowering?”
Obviously claiming a DNF is defeating the purpose for even running the race. This is just crazy thinking. I’ve run this distance before and know I could even run further if I slowed down.
So instead, I will picture Scott Jurek and remember this line –

“Running fast and running far is not about winning. It's not about money. It's not even about suffering, or redemption. It's about discovery.”

Self-talk is a very powerful way to transform negative thoughts.

What are you thinking about just before a big race?

Recommended read - Ultrarunner Scott Jurek's Story at Runner's World.

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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?

Jogger - not a Runner?

Just finished off an informative article in this month's Runner’s World on Kara Goucher, my namesake. And, after going over her daily routines, I feel totally unqualified to call myself a runner.

Comparisons:

Kara G is 30 years old.

Kara R is older!

Sometimes runs twice a day.

Feels lucky to run once a day.

Runs everyday when training.

Runs 3-4 times a week -> 52 weeks year.

Has been known to wear a 10 pound vest running.

Owns a fleecy vest she wears in the winter.

Has a fancy treadmill.

Has a sturdy elliptical in her bedroom.

Listens to Nickelback.

Listens to Nickelback.

Strength training nearly every day.

Goes to the gym once a week – Swings the Kettlebell twice a week.

Wears bun shorts.

Wears shorts with 3 inch inseam.

Has a massage therapist.

Gets a daily massage from FS : )

Has a sports psychologists.

Reads twitter updates by other runners.

Eats eggs and cheese, or oatmeal for breakfast.

Eats oatmeal, Cream of Wheat with raisins and toast!

Takes Ice baths.

Soaks in Hot baths with a LUSH soap presence.

Takes easy runs on Sundays.

Never runs on Sundays. (Unless it's a race day!)

Maybe I should change my handle from runnerkara to joggerkara?

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Good Luck Kara Goucher at The Boston Marathon.

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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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Ready for Some Optimism

I am well known for being a pessimist - so you’ll understand why I love this quote so much.

The optimist fell ten stories.
At each window bar
He shouted to his friend:
“All right so far!”

Definition: Pessimist
Stresses the negative or unfavorable or takes the gloomiest possible view.

This is the usual mindset I have while racing. Even after running races for over 22 years – I seldom feel, with every mile, that I’m doing my best.
Now I’ve reached the point where I’m just trying to maintain last year’s PR – not beat it.

Possible Mind Shift Ideas

• Take racing for what it is – mind over matter.
• Realize you’re in great shape! Not suffering from any injuries.
• Feel the gift you have. You can run for miles.
• Enjoy the comradery of other runners – of all ages.
• Feast on the free bananas and oranges ; 0
• Most importantly – give thanks and soak up that post race glow.

Sunday’s race – 8K Fall Celebration!

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Lowering the Bar

The problem with setting your goals to high is the painful disappointment when you don’t succeed. It is inevitable at some point in your running you will reach your max. Time becomes a variable. There is nothing you can do that will change this path.
So why do we continue to think training hard is the panacea for every failed PR?
Failure - like an open sore won’t heal unless you:

• adjust your focus.
• accept loss and move on.
• be happy with what you have (Yeah that’s right kara - count your blessings!)
• ask yourself what really matters…

Starting today I will reduce my speed work to just one session a week. And not enter the 10miler race this October.

Read
this post by Matt as he ponders what the actual benefits of training harder.
And
Keep on Running

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1 Mile Challenge Unsuccessful

Runnerkara – beat a 7:15 PR from 2006 – I’m not getting any younger!
So close...racing solo is just no fun...



Hopefully Reid had better results.

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The Value of Comments

I value the opinions of other runners. Generally you have experienced the same ups and downs – but your take on the situation is different.
There is great wisdom in comments.

This comment especially touched a nerve.

“Racing can be a lot of things, and it’s easy to forget why we race to begin with. Racing should never be about winning, or about time. Racing should always be about seeing how hard you can push yourself on any given race day. Sometimes the ‘best’ race people run is also their worst finish time for that distance. And if you tell people your time, they will usually utter an apology. And you usually accept it, because…how do you explain that you fought every step this race, that your mind told you to quit with loudspeakers and drums and your body told you to give up with aches and pains previously unimagined; but that you continued…you fought on…and that you are proud of that time because you refused to let your fear triumph. Most people don’t understand that, finish times are easier to understand.”

Thank-you Big - > your awareness is remarkable.

The Power of Thoughts

”It’s hard to run a race if you start off standing in a hole.”

I have signed up for another 10k race this Saturday. Its part of my – "Get back in the saddle” practice - after failing miserably at the last 10k event. I’m going to give it another go.
But am I ready? Physically yes, but mentally I’m struggling. I have this expectation to out perform myself. As though I am the competition and must be conquered. This thought process is not only negative but self defeating.
I have to run for the sake of running. Maybe I shouldn’t be entering races...

“Conflict cannot survive without your participation.” Wayne Dyer
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Disappointment Revisited

Flying home, I had a chance to catch up on my reading. Runner’s World had an interesting article on - learning how to mange your emotions.
They went over several scenarios including this one ->Missing a predicted race time goal makes you depressed.
Hark – July 4th was the date of my last race and I’m still bummed out about it.
So here are some of their suggestions I’m going to try.

• Sign up for another 10K race!
• Read up on running in the heat. There are tons of articles about this.
• Record my emotional state. Write it down or talk about it. (Doing that right now!)
• Believe that failure gives rise to improvement.

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Dealing With Disappointment

Just wondering how athletes and other runners deal with disappointment.

I was at the Olympic Track and Field Trails yesterday - actually outside the main gate, but close enough to hear the starting gun. There were hundreds watching the last events unfold on twin Jumbotron Screens.
I was particularly sad to see Gabe Jennings fall behind in the final 1500. He had the lead and then gasp – it faded away.
Talk about disappointment. His dream postponed or erased?

A comment from Gabe after the race:

“I wanted it real bad…I guess I have to stick around for another four years now, damn.”

Many times when we are disappointed when want to blame others. We complain a lot. We get angry and even feel sorry for ourselves.
Worst yet – we stop taking risks. We don’t want to set ourselves up for another failure.
I run away (sorry for the pun) from my failures. I’m disappointed because my body did not behave as I had requested. Instead I should be more compassionate after all I’m only human.
Yes, there are some exceptional human beings – but I bet if I interviewed them they would mention that they also lost a few along the way.
How do you deal with disappointment?

"The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way. "
Robert Kiyosaki

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No More Racing in the Heat

Butte To Butte 2008

Instead of beating my PR for this course – I tacked on about 10 minutes. The slowest 10K time I have ever run. Whoa!
Regardless, this was a true test of my metal. Many would have stopped but I continued to the finish line like a trooper.
For some reason I was running HOT. Or better put - walking, staggering as the symptoms of heat exhaustion took over.

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fatigue,
• weakness,
• headache,
• muscle cramps and aches, and
• dizziness.

Things I did learn:
Not to race when you have a cold.
Drink more water.
Running nude – is not allowed.
Never enter races in the summer.
Run with some cash. (Special thanks to the lady who let me use her cell.)
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Pre race snippet: "I hear they moved the finish line."
Favorite shirt: Caricature of Frank Zappa.

“Do not fear mistakes – there are none.” -- Miles Davis
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