MOTIVATION
The 4 weeks
prior to any major race is always an exciting time. Training is
in full swing and conversations are filled with talk of possible
personal bests and post race celebrations.
It's not only about the last 4 weeks
That's 4 weeks
before, but what about 20 weeks before? 20 weeks prior to a race
is sometimes occupied with experiences involving thoughts such
as, "It was raining and I just struggled with motivation to get
out of bed this morning".
If you wish to
achieve your full potential you need to put in an effort for a
longer period than 4 weeks.
One
of the most trying experiences in my life......
One of the most
trying experiences in my life occurred when I was on Scholarship
at the Australian Institute of Sport. I was laid up as a result
of an Achilles operation and all of my peers were still
training. Getting around on crutches while seeing fellow elite
athletes setting off for training runs was gut wrenching. This
was not because I was a running junkie and missed getting my
fix. My
shattered
state came from knowing that they were moving one step closer to
making the next Australian team and I was taking one step back.
I did cross
train during this period but, to be honest, there is no true
substitution for improving your running.
I can honestly say that
I never struggled with motivation throughout my career. This was
due to:
-
I looked upon each training
session whether it was fast/slow/short/or long as sessions in
the bank. The more sessions I banked the greater the reserve I
could call upon on race day.
-
I always had in the back of
my mind that if I missed a run, or did not apply myself in
training when it counted, there was every possibility that my
competitors were out there somewhere in the World training the
house down and becoming stronger as a result.
At times your goal can feel like an eternity away
If you're
training for an event in the distant future, it will at times feel
like the race is an eternity away.
Short term
goals along the way will keep you entertained and aid in your
development, however they fail to carry the importance a major
goal oozes and the additional meaning it provides.
Look after your bank balance
If you do
experience periods where your drive needs a boost remind
yourself that every session you miss is one less session in the
bank.
Create an imaginary competitor
If your goal is
to break 3hrs in the Marathon create an imaginary competitor and
when you place the alarm clock on snooze for the third time,
picture your imaginary competitor out running and ask yourself
the question: "Who is more deserving"
"You will only achieve what you
deserve to achieve"
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