Why Am I Doing This; Again?

by Matt Russ

As athletes we are psychologically motivated and inspired by a unique mix that fuels our ambition and keeps our noses to the grind stone. It is important to regularly examine your motives and to keep them close to you. Without an internal purpose to our training we are like old plow mules; slogging along simply because we always have. Without a purpose your enthusiasm to train and compete will eventually fade.

The first thing you must realize is that your motivators are distinct and personal. You may train for social reasons, personal acheivement, adulation and recognition, or perhaps because you were inspired to. But no one can make you doanything, or motivate you. You must have internal reasons to lace up your shoes before sunrise. You may enjoy the support of your parents, but can not compete for them. This is one of the reasons children who are pushed too hard by the imposed ambitions of overzealous parents often lose interest in a sport. The child has lost the internal motivation to participate (fun) and generally does not stay involved long term. Make sure reasons you train are your reasons, not those of a friend, parent, or spouse impressing theirs upon you.

The more specifically you define the reasons for forth the effort you are, the more likely you are to achieve your goals. The growth of endurance sports has been partially fueled by charity training groups such as Team In Training. To compete in honor or memory of a loved one and to raise money for the cause, is a very powerful and specific motivator. Don't be afraid to write your motivators and goals down and keep them in front of you. Visualize the purpose and pay off for the hard work you are putting forth. If one of your reasons is fitness or weight loss, visualize yourself as the fit and hardened individual you will become. Perhaps you have set a specific personal goal. Constantly remind yourself what that goal is, and how the work out you are performing now will get you there. Setting specific short term objectives leads to long term (dream) goals. You may one day want to complete an Ironman, but a sprint triathlon is the first stepping stone.

There are so many positive aspects to being an athlete beyond the physical benefits. I personally believe the characteristics of a successful athlete transfer to many areas of life outside the competitive arena. Characteristics such as discipline, overcoming adversity, risk taking, personal sacrifice, sportsmanship, consistency, and hard work reinforce good character. These reasons may not be as concrete as winning a race, but I believe they will carry you farther in life.

Realize that motivation is not a constant and that it ebbs and flows, sometimes simply with the changing seasons. You may be more motivated to train on a beautiful spring day versus a cold rainly winter one. You may wake up one morning and realize that what you are doing no longer holds personal satisfaction or simply is no longer fun. If that is the case, it is time to move on to a new challenge, perhaps another sport; something new and interesting. This change in motivation is as natural as the other changes in your life, and is not a result of deficient character.

Endurance athletes are unique animals. The training takes more hours than most sports, and it is usually solitary. Successful training for endurance sports requires consistency through all seasons, terrible weather, and early mornings when you would rather be in bed. Even the pros make little money relative to other sports, and receive less recognition beyond the endurance sport community. If fame, fortune, and adoration are your motivators you are likely in the wrong sport unless you are at the very top. However, endurance sports arguably require greater fortitude, discipline, and perhaps internal satisfaction. Understanding what the payoff is for the effort you put forth will make you a more motivated, successful, and ultimately happy athlete.

Matt Russhas coached and trained elite athletes from around the country and internationally for over ten years. He currently holds expert licenses from USA Triathlon, USA Cycling (Elite), and is a licensed USA Track and Field Coach. Matt is head coach and owner of The Sport Factory, and works with athletes of all levels full time. He is a free lance author and his articles are regularly featured in a variety of magazines such as Inside Triathlon, and Triathlete. Visit www.thesportfactory.comfor more information or email him at coachmatt@thesportfactory.com

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