My motivation typically involved signing up for another race right after I run one. That first year I started running timed events it was really easy to do. I was usually pumped up after running a great race or totally upset with myself and looking for some personal redemption. However, staying motivated can be tough especially as the running season slows down toward the fall/winter. This year I tried something different, I formulated a race plan at the end of the year, taking in account 3 major events that I would challenge myself with the following year and then I sprinkled in some shorter events in between to keep me focused on continuous training. So far it seems to be working for me; I do get a little break from the harder training with shorter training distances for these other events. But it keeps me from totally stopping until the next major event training needs to start. The shorter events are also a good time to break out the bike and vary up some training types, which breaks up the routine training that is required for the longer events. I also volunteered to help with a local racing event, which really was also motivating…It’s was really fun to cheer on the runners, but as the racers came by, I secretly wanted to abandon my post and jump in the race…
The last training run has been completed for the week and not too soon, I tell you. This week has been a very tough with the heat in the mid 90’s. I haven’t been able to run till late in the evening and even then the temperatures have still been in the upper 80’s. Next race is the Northville Solstice 10k this Saturday. This will be my first time running this event and I’ll be running it by myself as my friends and wife take a little break. I’m really looking forward to running this event, especially seeing that it starts at 7:15am and the temperatures will be in the 60’s, I also get a cool medal and a cool hat…Yup, I’m still a kid at heart and love my medals. Honestly, running this event without my support group doesn’t bother me. Of course it’s more fun with them, but I’ll still find someone to chase…or push myself harder from being chased…LOL Just kidding, the one thing I told myself when I started running was run for the love of it and the health benefits, run because you want to and not because you have to…Which leads me to this phrase, “Nothing to prove to anyone but everything to prove to myself.” – Mark Waligora.
The Purposeful Hiker 