There are four simple steps to getting the most out of your FBF season and maintaining your motivation to do the training runs consistently.
1. Have a clear, specific goal. For example: "I will run/walk a half marathon on January 13, 2013" as opposed to "I want to get in better shape and run a half marathon." This actually applies to any goal you want to accomplish, not just in running. Unless in this form it is simply a wish and not a goal.
2. Act As IF. Imagine you already have what you want. Act as if you have already accomplished your goal. This is where developing a Mindset/vision as a Runner/Marthoner/Halfer etc. is so critical. By developing this mindset/vsion you then do what a runner/marathoner etc does about training. If they train 3 times per week you do the same. This mindset is nothing more than a choice about how you want to think about yourself. If they do long runs on Saturday you run long on Saturday; if speedwork in Tuesday and tempo work is on Thursday, that's what you do because you are a runner.
Never lose sight of this vision. Self-motivation, the single most important key to success in Fort Bend Fit, dies out with lack of vision. The moment you stop imagining yourself as a runner/walker/halfer/marathoner you also start losing motivation to do the traning.
3. Never lose your belief in what you want and that you can have it. Build an unshakeable belief. If doubt sets in deal with it or ask me about the 5 keys to overcome doubt in running.
4. Stay Positive. Research has repeatedly shown the benefits of a Positive Mental Attitude. Runners who stay positive simply accomplish more. This also means hanging around people who are positive and who have like minded goals.
Following these simple four steps is likely to have a positive impact on your running season, no matter if you are a first time FBFer or a founding member.
If you want to explore these issues contact me at: The Center for Optimal Performance and Excellence (COPE) at832-605-5691.
Watch for my next post.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Runners' Roadblocks
Five Common Roadblocks for Runners (and what to do about them)
1—Doubt
Not unusual, especially if you are a first timer to have some second thoughts about what is ahead of you.
Key: Trust Your Training (Fort Bend Fit has trained thousands of marathoners and half-marathoners.
2—Setting Rigid Goals—especially outcome goals; e.g., I have to finish in a certain time, qualify for Boston, etc. no matter what. Weather conditions and individual circumstances had a great deal to do with this.
Key: have multiple goals; an ideal goal, a “reach” goal and a goal to “survive” or finish.
3—Focus on Others
Feeling like you are in competition with others is counterproductive.
Key: Make only self-to-self comparisons and accept the present moment in terms of where you are and your progress in training.
4—Dealing With Discomfort
Pain/discomfort/etc are inevitable in any long endurance event.
Key: Accept pain/try to reframe it. Develop a mantra –see recent Runners World article on this subject.
5—Self-pressure Negatives here are obvious.
Key: enjoy yourself; smile when you think about it/expect to overcome adversity; learn progressive muscle relaxation.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
What's Up, USANA?: Jennifer Azzi: Rethinking the Definition of Winnin...
What's Up, USANA?: Jennifer Azzi: Rethinking the Definition of Winnin...: "Editor's Note: Jennifer Azzi, a USANA Ruby Director and head coach of the University of San Francisco women's basketball team, posted the f..."
Monday, February 14, 2011
What's Up, USANA?: From the USANA Test Kitchen: Strawberry Yogurt Two...
What's Up, USANA?: From the USANA Test Kitchen: Strawberry Yogurt Two...: "In honor of Valentine's Day, I've whipped up a couple of treats that are perfect for sharing with your sweetie. With only a few simple ingre..."
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Who Would Ever Run a Marthon by Tim Maggs
Who Would Ever Run a Marathon?
By Dr. Tim MaggsMay/June 2001Washington Running Report
For anyone who's ever crossed that fine line, the one that only takes 26.2 miles to get to, and now owns the title of "marathon finisher", you've probably been asked this question many times. The insinuations in the question are that anyone who would ever consider running a marathon borders on insanity or downright lunacy. Well, do you want to know what I think?
I think...
The marathon should be a requirement for all kids graduating high school today. All kids would have to complete a marathon before graduating, or would have to work forty hours a week doing community clean up (for free) until they do complete one.
The marathon should become part of an incentive program for prisoners who want early release.
The first treatment for anyone with high blood pressure, weight problems, psychological disorders, bowel problems, upper respiratory difficulties, self-esteem issues, or anxiety disorders should not be medication or group therapy, but to complete a marathon.
If anyone is caught being a bully in life, regardless of age, we should have some legislative body we can report them to and this body has the authority to convict this individual and sentence them to run a marathon. Arrogance is bad, humility is good. Marathons promote humility.
Anyone sentenced to "community service" must run a marathon. What better community service could be achieved than to get someone in the community healthier, both mentally and physically?
More serious crimes might require two marathons in one year, a sentence that would not allow any time off from training. (Whoa, would this be an inconvenience for someone not used to working out?)
There should be a fifty percent discount on all health insurance premiums with proof of running a marathon each year.
Community leaders and politicians should be required to run a marathon each year, rather than annoying everyone by going door-to-door making promises they're unable to keep. A marathon will continually encourage "honest work" instead of more rhetoric the world doesn't need. Leading by example has always proven to be successful.
Any family owning more than one vehicle must all run a marathon in order to get registrations for every vehicle after the first one.
All police officers and fire fighters must run one marathon per year to be able to continue wearing a badge.
Anyone who isn't happy in life, can't figure out why life isn't giving back the way it should, and is looking for that bigger house, perfect soul-mate, or winning lottery ticket, join in and run a marathon. I'm sure you'll find the answer somewhere along the way.
From my vantage point, there are two causes of unhappiness and poor health---the lack of drive and discipline. With technology bringing so much excitement into every room in our house, why would anyone ever need to leave the house for fun? And the media is continually telling us to take this pill or that because "you haven't got time for the pain," but the cold truth is, it's all painful. Life hurts too much these days, and on too many fronts. The marathon solves these problems in a flinch. It reintroduces us to drive and discipline, for, as we know, there are no shortcuts to crossing that finish line. You must pay the price for a long enough period of time, or you won't cross that line.
The training phase is the backbone of this program and the direct reason for improved happiness. Our social lives improve by joining a regular group to go on our weekly runs. We talk, listen, and become the person we thought we used to be---happy and interesting. All social stigmas disappear, as we all become runners seeking the same goal. We're no longer lawyers, doctors, teachers, or housewives living according to some bogus pecking order society has created. We revolve our days around our training schedule, giving us something to look forward to at the beginning of the day and something to be proud of by the end of the day. And we all inherently know this powerful fact--we're doing something that most people will never have the guts to try. We're running a marathon. Our self-esteem goes up dramatically. In fact, isn't the scale looking a little kinder these days? Those clothes that just never seemed to fit on that Monday-morning diet plan all of a sudden fit perfectly. The big clincher in this life-altering metamorphosis a person goes through occurs on that first day that someone asks you "Have you lost weight?" There's no turning back now!
And the day we cross that finish line, the day we complete the journey we started six or eight or ten months earlier, that's the day we can't wait to start all over again on our next chapter. For what we learn is one simple fact---"Who wouldn't want to run a marathon?"
By Dr. Tim MaggsMay/June 2001Washington Running Report
For anyone who's ever crossed that fine line, the one that only takes 26.2 miles to get to, and now owns the title of "marathon finisher", you've probably been asked this question many times. The insinuations in the question are that anyone who would ever consider running a marathon borders on insanity or downright lunacy. Well, do you want to know what I think?
I think...
The marathon should be a requirement for all kids graduating high school today. All kids would have to complete a marathon before graduating, or would have to work forty hours a week doing community clean up (for free) until they do complete one.
The marathon should become part of an incentive program for prisoners who want early release.
The first treatment for anyone with high blood pressure, weight problems, psychological disorders, bowel problems, upper respiratory difficulties, self-esteem issues, or anxiety disorders should not be medication or group therapy, but to complete a marathon.
If anyone is caught being a bully in life, regardless of age, we should have some legislative body we can report them to and this body has the authority to convict this individual and sentence them to run a marathon. Arrogance is bad, humility is good. Marathons promote humility.
Anyone sentenced to "community service" must run a marathon. What better community service could be achieved than to get someone in the community healthier, both mentally and physically?
More serious crimes might require two marathons in one year, a sentence that would not allow any time off from training. (Whoa, would this be an inconvenience for someone not used to working out?)
There should be a fifty percent discount on all health insurance premiums with proof of running a marathon each year.
Community leaders and politicians should be required to run a marathon each year, rather than annoying everyone by going door-to-door making promises they're unable to keep. A marathon will continually encourage "honest work" instead of more rhetoric the world doesn't need. Leading by example has always proven to be successful.
Any family owning more than one vehicle must all run a marathon in order to get registrations for every vehicle after the first one.
All police officers and fire fighters must run one marathon per year to be able to continue wearing a badge.
Anyone who isn't happy in life, can't figure out why life isn't giving back the way it should, and is looking for that bigger house, perfect soul-mate, or winning lottery ticket, join in and run a marathon. I'm sure you'll find the answer somewhere along the way.
From my vantage point, there are two causes of unhappiness and poor health---the lack of drive and discipline. With technology bringing so much excitement into every room in our house, why would anyone ever need to leave the house for fun? And the media is continually telling us to take this pill or that because "you haven't got time for the pain," but the cold truth is, it's all painful. Life hurts too much these days, and on too many fronts. The marathon solves these problems in a flinch. It reintroduces us to drive and discipline, for, as we know, there are no shortcuts to crossing that finish line. You must pay the price for a long enough period of time, or you won't cross that line.
The training phase is the backbone of this program and the direct reason for improved happiness. Our social lives improve by joining a regular group to go on our weekly runs. We talk, listen, and become the person we thought we used to be---happy and interesting. All social stigmas disappear, as we all become runners seeking the same goal. We're no longer lawyers, doctors, teachers, or housewives living according to some bogus pecking order society has created. We revolve our days around our training schedule, giving us something to look forward to at the beginning of the day and something to be proud of by the end of the day. And we all inherently know this powerful fact--we're doing something that most people will never have the guts to try. We're running a marathon. Our self-esteem goes up dramatically. In fact, isn't the scale looking a little kinder these days? Those clothes that just never seemed to fit on that Monday-morning diet plan all of a sudden fit perfectly. The big clincher in this life-altering metamorphosis a person goes through occurs on that first day that someone asks you "Have you lost weight?" There's no turning back now!
And the day we cross that finish line, the day we complete the journey we started six or eight or ten months earlier, that's the day we can't wait to start all over again on our next chapter. For what we learn is one simple fact---"Who wouldn't want to run a marathon?"
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