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gretriever
Hipster Doofus
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Joined: 16 Jul 2003
Posts: 19385
Location: A moving target in a firing range.
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 Posted: 03/30/04 - 09:08 Post subject: Head Games (perhaps the first of a small series)
(for your reading pleasure - responses and thoughts optional)
Sorry - not the lyrics to the Foreigner song. As I'm at the halfway point to Mad City, I've set some goals. And I mean time-wise, not the expected "I just want to finish." But I haven't said what they were to anyone - not LC, not JACKED UP, not anybody. I think I want to surprise them if I meet said goals, and not let them (and you, the RF reader) if I don't.
But this did get me to thinking - what is motivating you? (talking to myself here) Are you trying to prove something to yourself - what would that be? What are you learning about yourself - physically and mentally? What scares you? What is a pleasant surprise?
Let me try these out.... I've always approached things from an underdog's POV. Nothing to lose, and a whole lot to gain. Not just to survive but to thrive. I know I will always be under-estimated. Surprising people, then, is part of the fun.
What I am learning is I am more resilient than I thought. I've stayed pretty healthy throughout. And I've got that somethin'-somethin' that tells me to keep going. We all have that - if we don't stop learning about ourselves, it's time to call it a day.
Most important, I'm finding a great joy and good humor in all this long trip. Even when the legs say "no", it's there.
I find it in darn near all the music I'm listening to - even though I still can't make CDs as I can't figure out what happened to our CD burner.
I find it at home, where LC is catching the running bug a bit more every day (though she does not want to always admit this).
And I find it here at RF, where you (for some reason) put up with the smart-ass in me, and even find occasion to laugh at my comments. For that, now, and I'm sure I'll mention it in the future, I thank you.
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CoachCraig
Member
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Joined: 23 Dec 2003
Posts: 276
Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: 03/30/04 - 12:52 Post subject:
I tend not to make public proclamations of my race goals, at least not until after the race. I do have things I'm shooting for, but most of you would laugh if I told you what they were. I tend to have the fairly conservative goal of what I think I can do, a more aggressive goal of what might be possible on a great day, and a dream goal which should be impossible. I can honestly say in my last two races, I have run the dream goal and then some. Having now run between 500 and 600 races, those days are exceptionally rare, and something to cherish.
I have learned not to be motivated by what anyone else thinks of my running or trying to prove something to anyone other than myself. None of the people I'm in direct contact with understand much about running, and they certainly don't understand what my running is all about the way I do. My wife is vaguely aware that I wanted to break 40 minutes in my last race and actually ran 35:10, which means I raced well. However, she has no understanding how huge of a difference 4 or 5 minutes is. Even those who have been there and can truly understand your experience provide only a fleeting appreciation of your accomplishment.
Personally, I just love to race fast. I enjoy training, but I mostly do it because of what it allows me to race fast. I just love to run as hard as possible and see what I can squeeze out of my body. But even more enjoyable than racing a fast time is racing an exciting race. I mean a head-to-head battle with another runner. Even if you lose that battle, there is nothing better in all of running. Often times, it isn't a battle for the overall win, which is often the least dramatic competition within that race. More often then not, I'm back in the pack trading the lead back and forth with another runner, playing race strategy, and seeing who is the strongest and smartest runner on this particular day.
Man, I'm fired up now! Anyone want to race?
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robp
Pyromaniac
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Joined: 26 Jul 2002
Posts: 16242
Location: Waiting in line at the beer store...
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Posted: 03/31/04 - 11:34 Post subject: Re: Head Games (perhaps the first of a small series)
| gretriever wrote: |
But this did get me to thinking - what is motivating you? (talking to myself here) Are you trying to prove something to yourself - what would that be? What are you learning about yourself - physically and mentally? What scares you? What is a pleasant surprise? |
My motivation comes from a love of sports and competition ever since I was a kid. My only problem was that I came from a very non-sports oriented family and had a major lack of confidence when it came to trying out for various organized sports teams. I'm also not a genetically gifted athlete that could overcome a lack of skill by pure size and strength. I took up track & cross country in h.s. because I still got to compete even though I wasn't any good - you don't ride the bench in those sports.
I'm in an on-going process of proving to myself that I can be competitive in a sport that I truly enjoy. That I can be just as good as or better than other competitors.
Physically I've learned that I've still not realized my true potential. The more I push myself to what I think has to be my limit the more my body responds. I've also learned that truly elite athletes are of a different mindset when it comes to the limits to which they push themselves. I'm not even close to that level. My mental toughness has increased dramatically in the last 5 years and my confidence in all aspects of life has tagged along for the ride.
Nothing much scares me anymore - I just take life a day at a time and roll with the punches.
Pleasant surprises - getting medals at races  I still have this sense that I don't belong up there receiving an award based on my athletic ability. It's odd, I try to train hard to put myself in a position to win something and then when I do I somehow feel I didn't deserve it. I'm starting to get over that though....
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airehead
Oompa Loofah
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Joined: 12 Nov 2002
Posts: 18788
Location: Between here and eternity...
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Posted: 03/31/04 - 12:29 Post subject:
| CoachCraig wrote: | | I do have things I'm shooting for, but most of you would laugh if I told you what they were. |
I seriously doubt that anyone here would laugh at a dream; we take dreams and aspirations pretty seriously around here--moreso than any other group I've been a part of. Funny thing is, here, most times, people will help you achieve that goal or convince you to surpass it. (There are some tough people in this crowd!  )
I run because I never could before. It was change and survive or stay the same and wither and die on the vine. So, I made changes--lost weight, learned to run, learned about strengths I never knew I had.
I run because I don't want to end up hospitalized for surgery after surgery like some of my relatives. I want to do everything in my power to assure my health--if something beyond my control happens, then so be it, but I want to take care of what I can before it's too late.
But, like CoachCraig and G-dawg, I tend to keep my goals private. In a way, if I accomplish them, I've done it on my own. I am very shy about sharing my goals and perhaps failing publically. Specifically in running, though, within the past year, I've stepped out of my comfort zone and shared my goals--and one individual here has told me I could surpass it. And he was right.
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Floridaboiler
POTFH
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Joined: 18 May 2002
Posts: 11322
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
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Posted: 03/31/04 - 21:34 Post subject:
For most races my local running buddies know my goals since we talk about it leading up to the race. I run for myself and to keep myself sane at work. I didn't mention the possibility of my win in the 50K since I was trying not to think about it to much myself. I have had a couple of races where I thought I would totally rock and then I fell apart so I try and keep my goals close to the ground so I can easily crush them when I am ready to race.
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jrjo
Gone Fishin
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Joined: 15 May 2002
Posts: 16451
Location: Lake Wobegon, MN
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 10:55 Post subject:
The last couple years have been tough for me when it comes to goal setting. Getting into the 25th year of running, I'm concluding my main goal is simply to try and not slow down from last year. Those golden days of PRs are done.
And as for motivation, it all comes from 30+ years ago one person saying "he'll never run again". Crazy that I still think about it to this day. But I do. That along with being healthy for my family, for me, for life.
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Kimba90
Member
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Joined: 03 Dec 2003
Posts: 3594
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Posted: 04/05/04 - 20:07 Post subject:
Hey GR, I didn't mention it over on CR forum, but my husband missed my sub 2 hour finish because I guess I didn't stress it enough to him. I told him he should be over "at the finish line" because I would be there 2 hours 20 minutes max, I expected a 2.10 finish, and 2 hours would be my ultimate finish. I guess he didn't realize I'm an overachiever and did finish sub 2 for my time...so it's both amusing and bittersweet at the same time. I kept my goals pretty much to myself the last few monthes, I think I openly told someone I was shooting for a sub 2 on Friday, before my race. I don't know whether I felt I was either bragging or jinxing myself to openly state these goals..
My husband asked me on the drive home, what is motivating me to run these long distances? And I can't honestly give him an answer...because they are there to run? Because I enjoy the long runs...I do..it's like meditation for me..to prove that I can do it. This is a way I can lose alot of problems along the way. I have alot of nervous energy, and this is a good way to expend it for me.
Am I trying to prove something to myself? Sure I am. I'm finally in the best shape of my life, at age 38, I've shed 75 lbs, and feeling really good about myself. I never ever saw myself as a runner, so this is a totally new experience. I've found that I'm totally goal oriented, and a I need a new goal to work toward. I have found I am very conservative about my training program, but will stick to do it, and have been able to do so without any injuries so far.
My next step in my training progress will be to find running partners or a coach. I live in the middle of nowhere, and actually am pretty happy running by myself. But if I want to train for a marathon, I think it may help me to find some running friends IRL. That probaly means posting some signs at the local gym and/or high schools. I'm new to this area, we've only lived here 3 years, and I'm a very private person. It kind of pains me to have to expose myself to new people. I'm sure it would be good in the long run, but when you're used to being very private, it's kind of a shock to *go public* with your running needs.
Ok, a way long post for me.
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