Lack of motivation or determination is not one of my typical shortfalls, but the last month found me looking forward to some of my runs with about as much enthusiasm as a visit to the dentist office and a shot of Novocain (sorry Charmin Mark). Let’s face it; walking out the door to single digits with wind chills below zero isn’t exactly something to get excited about. Neither is dodging vehicles while running on slick snow and ice covered surfaces. The alternatives aren’t much more appealing; two hour jaunts on the treadmill or circling the 12 laps to a mile track 150 times at the YMCA spell a recipe for boredom. Running on the snow and ice left my hamstrings sore and achy, making the runs even less pleasurable. As lousy a swimmer as I am, I began to savor my laps in the pool far beyond runs which offered a solemn choice between blustery or boredom. Add to that the dark mornings and dark evenings which have been proven to contribute to the mid-winter blues, it comes as no surprise that motivation during a tough winter may deteriorate to an all-time low.
There is no doubt that training with a group of friends such as we do in the Beyond takes the edge off and can be the source of motivation that pulls us out the door. The cameraderie, the post runs socials. Taking a vacation break to a warm weather destination can deliver a huge mental boost, but not everyone has this opportunity to recharge their batteries southern via escapes. While it is just as important to savor each day in our journey, during times like these shifting our focus to the goals or experiences we have set before our selves are often our salvation. For many of us, that will be the incredible high that comes from experiencing Boston, for others, it means the accomplishment of crossing the finish line of a first marathon or perhaps an 89th marathon. It can be the vision of spring racing season or the shear fun and excitement of getting a group of friends together for a relay.
This last week, I began to nail down our Kal-Haven Trail Relay team details, and found my mood start to lift as I thought of the sheer fun and camaraderie of sharing a relay event with friends. Three weeks later is the Boston Marathon. Just participating in the world’s most famous marathon itself makes you feel like a star, but the whole atmosphere and all the events surrounding Boston that weekend are exhilarating and something to look forward to; shopping at the expo, gathering with family and friends for the pasta party, the Freedom Run, stopping by the Tracey home which is like a visit with old friends, giving high fives to all the children lining the course and finally, crossing the finish line. Even after finishing, as you walk back to the hotel hundreds of people extend their congratulations. Not motivated yet? How about the vision of finishing the National City Half Marathon on a mild spring day, or the Riverbank Run (usually not without rain) or the all-day party atmosphere of Dances with Dirt. Perhaps the goal is to run the Chicago Marathon for the first time or to qualify for Boston. The future holds many great experiences, achievements and yes, far more pleasant conditions too.
And no doubt spring is around the corner and better days lie ahead. As I walked into the office one day last week, I was pleasantly surprised to hear birds chirping. Last Wednesday as I completed my 12 miler, I savored my first enjoyable run in weeks as the mercury pushed into the 40’s. At last Saturday’s Gull Lake Run, I took notice of the beautiful sunrise to the east only a few miles into our run. Could there possibly be a spark of motivation igniting….you bet! The days are getting better and its time to get psyched for the many experiences, achievements and surprises that lie in the year ahead!
There is no doubt that training with a group of friends such as we do in the Beyond takes the edge off and can be the source of motivation that pulls us out the door. The cameraderie, the post runs socials. Taking a vacation break to a warm weather destination can deliver a huge mental boost, but not everyone has this opportunity to recharge their batteries southern via escapes. While it is just as important to savor each day in our journey, during times like these shifting our focus to the goals or experiences we have set before our selves are often our salvation. For many of us, that will be the incredible high that comes from experiencing Boston, for others, it means the accomplishment of crossing the finish line of a first marathon or perhaps an 89th marathon. It can be the vision of spring racing season or the shear fun and excitement of getting a group of friends together for a relay.
This last week, I began to nail down our Kal-Haven Trail Relay team details, and found my mood start to lift as I thought of the sheer fun and camaraderie of sharing a relay event with friends. Three weeks later is the Boston Marathon. Just participating in the world’s most famous marathon itself makes you feel like a star, but the whole atmosphere and all the events surrounding Boston that weekend are exhilarating and something to look forward to; shopping at the expo, gathering with family and friends for the pasta party, the Freedom Run, stopping by the Tracey home which is like a visit with old friends, giving high fives to all the children lining the course and finally, crossing the finish line. Even after finishing, as you walk back to the hotel hundreds of people extend their congratulations. Not motivated yet? How about the vision of finishing the National City Half Marathon on a mild spring day, or the Riverbank Run (usually not without rain) or the all-day party atmosphere of Dances with Dirt. Perhaps the goal is to run the Chicago Marathon for the first time or to qualify for Boston. The future holds many great experiences, achievements and yes, far more pleasant conditions too.
And no doubt spring is around the corner and better days lie ahead. As I walked into the office one day last week, I was pleasantly surprised to hear birds chirping. Last Wednesday as I completed my 12 miler, I savored my first enjoyable run in weeks as the mercury pushed into the 40’s. At last Saturday’s Gull Lake Run, I took notice of the beautiful sunrise to the east only a few miles into our run. Could there possibly be a spark of motivation igniting….you bet! The days are getting better and its time to get psyched for the many experiences, achievements and surprises that lie in the year ahead!
