As an athlete, it’s common to lose some motivation along the way. The training and racing season can seem like a very long time. It can be a challenge some days to lace up those shoes and get out the door for a run or to get up at 4:30am so you can make masters swim practice. However, consistency is critical in order to have a successful season. The truth is, no one workout makes or breaks your season. It is the combination of workouts day after day, week after week, month after month that will result in a solid race day performance.
Get 10 Motivational Mantras here: Top 10 Motivational Mantras
Everyone struggles with motivation at some point. It is pretty impossible to be 100% motivated 24/7 for months on end. Here are some time-tested tips to combat days where motivation is lacking.
• Accept that lack of motivation is normal. Know that it will happen at some point, but refuse to let it stand in the way of your goals.
• Keep it simple. Overcomplicating things make people feel overwhelm that isn’t even there. It’s not necessary to have the latest and greatest set of race wheels or GPS for tracking your running pace. Reviewing 10 different training plans and trying to pick and choose parts from each of them to build your ideal plan is clouding up the focus of your training. Hire a coach, find a plan, use minimal gadgets and do the work.
• Manage your time. Part of the reason we lose motivation is that we feel like there are too many things to do and something has to give. If you are always scrambling from your workout to then get to work or pick up the kids, or looking for your goggles when you need to be at the pool in 15 minutes, the stress ultimately leads to lack of motivation. Schedule your workouts in your calendar just like you would any other appointment. It will help you plan your day in order to fit the workout in and keep the stress to a minimum.
• Be sure to include rest days. Part of the problem with “Type A” athletes is that they start to feel guilty when they take a day off from training. What’s important to understand is that you do not get stronger from completing the tough workouts. You get stronger by letting your body absorb the stress of the workout and then recovering from it. Rest days are a critical part of any training plan and should not be overlooked. Making sure you have your rest days scheduled can help with motivation because if you’re just not feeling it today, but know if you get in today’s workout and then a rest day is coming, it makes it easier to push through.
• Be process-driven vs. goal-driven. When a training season can be 6-12 months, the goals can be a long way off. Not every workout you do is going to feel great or be your best and that can sometime deflate your spirits. It’s important to break the goals down into a process on how to achieve them and then work on them one workout at a time. Track your progress along the way so you can see the improvements you have made.
Get 10 Motivational Mantras here: Top 10 Motivational Mantras
The next time you start to feel your motivation heading out the door, review this article and check out this list of our Top 10 Motivational Mantras. These are great photos for you to download, print and put up on your fridge, bathroom mirror or computer screen – anywhere you are going to see it every day to help you stay on track toward your goal. You can even share them on Facebook or Instagram and help motivate others.
Looking for help in keeping your motivation or achieving your goals? Contact me and I’d be happy to help walk you through it!
Train Right,
Coach MJ
