Pride

 

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