How do you stay motivated?
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7,463 Posts
<ul><li>Having an A Race paid for and looming in the future</li>
<li>Scheduling my training plan into my calendar</li>
<li>Knowing that I have an hour or 2 every day that's mine to unwind. No pager, no phone, no e-mail, no kids (mostly those adults that act like kids. I swear sometimes my 4 yr old is more mature). Just me, my thoughts, and maybe some music.</li>
</ul>
<li>Scheduling my training plan into my calendar</li>
<li>Knowing that I have an hour or 2 every day that's mine to unwind. No pager, no phone, no e-mail, no kids (mostly those adults that act like kids. I swear sometimes my 4 yr old is more mature). Just me, my thoughts, and maybe some music.</li>
</ul>
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4,365 Posts
My philosophy is to try really hard not to let motivation be a factor. That's often easier said than done but on days when I have no motivation I try to put that aside and just do it anyway. It's great if I am motivated but if I am not I am going to try really hard to not let it affect me.<br><br>
Now if I could just apply this to work <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">.
Now if I could just apply this to work <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">.
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3,088 Posts
Reading everybody's postings here <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Oh yes, and having a goal race.
Oh yes, and having a goal race.
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5,537 Posts
Two things: beer and chocolate.<br><br>
If I'm training, I can have these things without immediately ballooning to 350 pounds.
If I'm training, I can have these things without immediately ballooning to 350 pounds.
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3,572 Posts
Good question! Signing up for races, and of course food. I love food, therefore I train <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
I find a lot of motivation on these boards as well - just reading everyone's workouts is enough to get me out of bed in the morning!
I find a lot of motivation on these boards as well - just reading everyone's workouts is enough to get me out of bed in the morning!
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13,710 Posts
Doing things I never thought I can do.<br><br>
I got so used to training solo...I treasure the alone time. You can do a lot of thinking when you are 6 hours into a bikeride.<br><br>
VRAA...I like it. Keeps me on schedule.<br><br>
Plus...getting the wooden spoon from Sheldawg is no fun...
I got so used to training solo...I treasure the alone time. You can do a lot of thinking when you are 6 hours into a bikeride.<br><br>
VRAA...I like it. Keeps me on schedule.<br><br>
Plus...getting the wooden spoon from Sheldawg is no fun...
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1,274 Posts
Honestly I really don't have a such a big problem with staying motivated. There are some days I just don't feel like training so I evaluate those days. Is it just laziness, cold weather, bad workday or I do I really need to rest.<br><br>
It helps to have goal race and solid plan to follow. Plus I train with a team so there is the whole group thing going on.
It helps to have goal race and solid plan to follow. Plus I train with a team so there is the whole group thing going on.
Joined
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8,117 Posts
Motivated to train:<br>
I tell people what I'm doing....training for.....goals. Then, they ASK about them. I also have two people here who WATCH me train....they don't like slacking.<br><br>
Motivated in events:<br>
swimming..... I swim the plan. And, if there are bubbles in front of me.... I chase, as long as I'm not blowing the plan.<br>
running..... Sometimes I cuss. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> Today...I started writing the RR to take my mind off the miles.<br><br>
Motivated in life.... deadlines. big time. Also... "treat days." For big events/deadlines, I give myself treat days. ..... an afternoon movie (guilt free).... a dress.... lately.... swim gear. lol
I tell people what I'm doing....training for.....goals. Then, they ASK about them. I also have two people here who WATCH me train....they don't like slacking.<br><br>
Motivated in events:<br>
swimming..... I swim the plan. And, if there are bubbles in front of me.... I chase, as long as I'm not blowing the plan.<br>
running..... Sometimes I cuss. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"> Today...I started writing the RR to take my mind off the miles.<br><br>
Motivated in life.... deadlines. big time. Also... "treat days." For big events/deadlines, I give myself treat days. ..... an afternoon movie (guilt free).... a dress.... lately.... swim gear. lol
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1,083 Posts
Having a few hundred bucks already put down towards several race registations for the year.<br><br>
And having those race dates posted on a year-at-glance calendar on the wall in front of my computer so I look at them everyday.<br><br>
And a weekly count down to my A and B races so know how much time I have left.<br><br>
And knowing that I have to log every workout and that Sheldon will be looking at it.<br><br>
And having a strong desire to get faster at all 3 events.
And having those race dates posted on a year-at-glance calendar on the wall in front of my computer so I look at them everyday.<br><br>
And a weekly count down to my A and B races so know how much time I have left.<br><br>
And knowing that I have to log every workout and that Sheldon will be looking at it.<br><br>
And having a strong desire to get faster at all 3 events.
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13,710 Posts
Kyle...this year it won't be "Watch Sherry again...watch Sherry again..."<br><br>
It will DEFINITELY be "Watch Daddy again...watch Daddy again" <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">:b anana:<br><br>
That should motivate you...and if Sheldon lets me come to IMFL to cheer instead of a HUGE bikeride...you'll definitely see some chalk coming out of T2.
It will DEFINITELY be "Watch Daddy again...watch Daddy again" <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif"><img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">:b anana:<br><br>
That should motivate you...and if Sheldon lets me come to IMFL to cheer instead of a HUGE bikeride...you'll definitely see some chalk coming out of T2.
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233 Posts
Definately signing up for a race....especially one that looms in the coming 3-4 months!<br><br>
It is also very helpful to me to take time OFF of triathlon training (still active, but something ELSE) during the year, and also to take time away from timing every run, tracking every zone, writing down every workout. Then when I go back to a more structured plan, I have a lot more enthusiasm for it.<br><br>
jen
It is also very helpful to me to take time OFF of triathlon training (still active, but something ELSE) during the year, and also to take time away from timing every run, tracking every zone, writing down every workout. Then when I go back to a more structured plan, I have a lot more enthusiasm for it.<br><br>
jen
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5,307 Posts
Signing up for a race that is huge. A huge distance and a huge accomplishment.<br><br>
My sister bought me a 140.6 Christmas ornament that sits in the basement by the trainer-this years race (70.3) is a part of getting to 140.6.<br><br>
I also my goals all written down-on my fridge, my blog, a sheet in front of the trainer, my coach has them listed--people know how important this is to me.
My sister bought me a 140.6 Christmas ornament that sits in the basement by the trainer-this years race (70.3) is a part of getting to 140.6.<br><br>
I also my goals all written down-on my fridge, my blog, a sheet in front of the trainer, my coach has them listed--people know how important this is to me.
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8,915 Posts
Great question. Amazing at the varied responses.<br><br>
For me, motivation comes from wanting something. I see something I want and I go get it. More than often, I achieve or come close. But this also tells me that if I more often than not achieve the goal then my goals aren't high enough. So I elevate them, but I am sure to do that within the guidelines of keeping perspective on fun, even if it means entering a race to have fun with an easy pace regardless of time, or entering a race and putting my heart and soul on the line. Key here is also something very important, and that is, I must set myself up for success. I do many races just to do them, because they are fun. Those results rarely matter. Then there are races where I truly want to do well but could just as easily get away with an average performance. Those are races that I approach with the notion that I will let the day come to me. Often they end in good results because I started easy, but never ground breaking PRs. Still, these are immense for the confidence instilled. Then there are the races I race hard. Those suckers are the more tempermental. This doesn't mean that I don't go hard from the gun in the other races; rather, it paints the story on how I let each affect me psychologically and my mental preparations. As for my goals, I don't commit to all my interests and yearnings -- I pick and choose what I find interesting -- but that in itself is usually enough to keep the fire burning and me yearning for more.<br><br>
Not only that -- and this is key -- but I also full get into what I am doing. As an example, I have IMLP '08 on my schedule and am motivated to train for it. By extention, I am motivated to stay in shape on the bike, and by extension I am motitvated to get stronger and fast and increase my power output so that I can have that magical day at IMLP. One dictates the other while the other feeds the first.
For me, motivation comes from wanting something. I see something I want and I go get it. More than often, I achieve or come close. But this also tells me that if I more often than not achieve the goal then my goals aren't high enough. So I elevate them, but I am sure to do that within the guidelines of keeping perspective on fun, even if it means entering a race to have fun with an easy pace regardless of time, or entering a race and putting my heart and soul on the line. Key here is also something very important, and that is, I must set myself up for success. I do many races just to do them, because they are fun. Those results rarely matter. Then there are races where I truly want to do well but could just as easily get away with an average performance. Those are races that I approach with the notion that I will let the day come to me. Often they end in good results because I started easy, but never ground breaking PRs. Still, these are immense for the confidence instilled. Then there are the races I race hard. Those suckers are the more tempermental. This doesn't mean that I don't go hard from the gun in the other races; rather, it paints the story on how I let each affect me psychologically and my mental preparations. As for my goals, I don't commit to all my interests and yearnings -- I pick and choose what I find interesting -- but that in itself is usually enough to keep the fire burning and me yearning for more.<br><br>
Not only that -- and this is key -- but I also full get into what I am doing. As an example, I have IMLP '08 on my schedule and am motivated to train for it. By extention, I am motivated to stay in shape on the bike, and by extension I am motitvated to get stronger and fast and increase my power output so that I can have that magical day at IMLP. One dictates the other while the other feeds the first.
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15,800 Posts
A race keeps me honest, getting me out there.<br><br>
Plus, I like to do most of it. I like to run and bike. Swim, not as much. I like it outside, in open water, but not at the pool. So I actually really struggle to get that in.<br><br>
My other motivation has been my training group that I run with. I do my long runs with them, and it makes such a difference.
Plus, I like to do most of it. I like to run and bike. Swim, not as much. I like it outside, in open water, but not at the pool. So I actually really struggle to get that in.<br><br>
My other motivation has been my training group that I run with. I do my long runs with them, and it makes such a difference.
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