* Personal Satisfaction (PS) *
So many people are unhappy with performance and times, so much that it takes from the overall enjoyment of being able to run. There is no long term future in that.
Elite athletes operate on a different level where their daily lives are structured around whatever type of training is required on any given day. Everything else will be made to fall into place around this. Rest, nutrition, coaching, psychology is fine tuned for maximum performance.
Us ‘normal’ runners are a different lot. We juggle daily domestic requirements, work takes another chunk of our lives and we are left to try to fit what we can into the rest of the week. We shoehorn training in around what we can get done. There is also injuries, recovery, sleep, nutrition, lack of full time physio assistance to be considered. What time will you be home to cook the dinner for us?
So before you beat yourself up after a race where you didn’t hit the time you wanted then ask yourself why?, but don’t be hard on yourself.
Maybe a better way to approach it would be, to do the best you can and then be willing to accept that and be satisfied.
Even with the best training there will be bad weather, a hilly course, or some other small thing to set you back. It isn’t a setback it is merely a recalibration of what you could possibly achieve on that day.
Some people avoid a challenging course as they will not hit a time. Forget that, make it a best performance for that course.
Before you go to your next race, try to approach it with anticipation and excitement, rather than fear and trepidation. It is much more enjoyable.
When you are asked after the next race how did you get on you can reply:-
or else, if that is too eloquent and full of bull say:
’ I’m pleased'
’The Joy of Running can only be achieved through acceptance of oneself and our limitations….
‘Heaven can wait, I wanna dance one more time’ …Guetta
Have a lovely weekend
#pwr
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