As the weather turns from pseudo-spring to
actual-spring, the motivation to be spend more time outside typically increases
in most individuals. For those
that don't flinch in the face of non-ideal weather, there is a greater sense of
pride in doing workouts outside. Being
dedicated to your training despite non-ideal weather is a dose of pride.
When you're the only one outside on those kinds of days, it should boost
your ego and your sense of determination and motivation. Having great weather should not be your
only motivator, but nor should training through non-great weather be your only
source of pride. Look back on what you've accomplished now that we're
about halfway through 2013. I hope the athletes I coach feel the same way
as I do that it should only be labeled as "successful", regardless of
what conditions have unfolded. This is 100% tied into goal setting.
DC Running Coach runners are hitting PRs at most races, or at least
course PRs. They've most likely added new modes of training into their
routines and/or changed their running form for the better. They've most
likely solved some of the riddles of their health and states of their bodies. Some of them are experiencing a nagging injury right now, but it hasn't
sidelined them for the previous 6 months, nor will it for the remainder of the
year, and they've already been training/racing well despite it. If you're
a runner, always remember that most people in your age group in the general
population don't do what you do. Have pride in your dedication and
commitment to goals (but make sure those goals are set correctly). Have
pride in your dedication to an active, healthy lifestyle. I'm just here
to help folks go faster and/or farther with, and to add some structure and
accountability in the grand scheme of things.
I ran my first race in 1.5 years last weekend,
since my "retirement" and I have to be honest that the athletes I
coach inspired me to dust off my brand new racing shoes. Will I be out
there racing more now? I don't know yet. I leave that decision up
to how well I pick up playing guitar. It doesn't matter because as a
coach I want to instill in my clients the same sense of pride I have in being
active virtually every day ("sweat once per day", according to
Lululemon). You can take the view that "life is short", or you
can take the Jethro Tull view that "life is a long song".
Whichever way you view it, be proud about something you do in life. Running is an easy choice, again,
because most people can't do it or won't do it—phrased alternatively, they
can't stick to a healthy lifestyle (at least not in the U.S.). Running is
also not as easy as other modes of exercise, which is related to the previous
sentence.
George Carlin taught us that pride should be attached to things
we've worked to achieve, and to not attach pride as easily to conditions
that were given to us, like being half-Irish on this Mother's Day. Mom is
wonderful, but I attach more pride to my athletic/running accomplishments than
I do to being born half-Irish.
Stay active and be proud about it.
Mike
