Stick With IT – Don’t Give In or Give Up!
By Coach Al Lyman, CSCS
Creator of Runner-CORE (http://runner-core.com)
“Perseverance is a great element of success; if you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate you are sure to wake up somebody.”
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.”
- Dale E. Turner
“Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be.”
- Morris Adler
“The biggest human temptation is to settle for too little.”
- Thomas Merton
“Never underestimate the power of passion.”
– Eve Sawyer
“If you develop the habits of success, you’ll make success a habit.”
- Michael Angier
We clearly live in an age where the desire for instant gratification is common. Yes, people, and runners, expect quick results! In some cases we do get results quickly, but most often, real, lasting, and meaningful success in life, and as a runner, requires sustained and consistent effort.
To really create our BEST SELF and achieve what we want with our running program, we must consistently think (and act) in productive ways and believe in our own ability to be successful. Sometimes the results do come pretty quickly, but most of the time they come more slowly and result from us just hanging in there and constantly and religiously doing the things we know we NEED to do.
The same is true for negative results. We don’t get out of shape or become over-weight with one high fat or high sugar meal. Likewise, if we had just one cigarette, it probably wouldn’t kill us, BUT if we were to sustain that unhealthy habit for very long it will almost certainly produce a catastrophic outcome for us.
Consistency is an admired trait in everything, so why should we approach our running and fitness goals any differently?
Margaret Thatcher once said: “You may have to fight a battle more than once.”
Brian Tracey said: “You have to put in many, many, many tiny efforts that nobody sees or appreciates before you achieve anything worthwhile.”
Today, I want to encourage you to think for a minute or two about your goals, and then consider the things that are especially important for you to be doing on a consistent basis (run workouts, stretching, eating and hydrating well) to accomplish your goals. Accept that there may be things that you are NOT doing regularly, and then decide on which ones you are willing to COMMIT to doing every day.
Then, believe in yourself, stick to it, persevere, talk with others about your goals and obstacles and fears, and don’t forget to ask questions. Reach out. Your consistency and the efforts you make every day will pay off! Good luck!!
Coach Al
Readers, what do you think about that?
It is best that you have the perfect triathlon training schedule to be more effective.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Playful Professional // Jun 10, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Now why can’t words get me out of the house and to the gym? Words just aren’t doing it for me right now. I need someone to physically pick me up and put me on the treadmill and then hit start.
2 Rachel // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Britni!!! How about some baby steps??? !!!Grab a jump rope and jump for 5 minutes?
You make it sound like exercise is such a chore.
What do you enjoy doing? Try to do what you love, I do.
3 Fitarella // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:51 pm
The coolest thing about this whole blogging bit is the people i’ve “met”. If it weren’t for you Rach I wouldn’t have found Coach Al and I might not have had the little a-ha I just did about my training/running – so thank you & a super hug to you my friend
I will be meeting Coach Al in about 2 weeks…and it will be all on video!
4 Strong One // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I agree with all your suggestions. The hardest part of renewing your health is not so much starting, but continuing.
@Playful Professional I always like the pinch reminder as a motivator. I look in the mirror and pinch however much I can get a hold of on my waist. It reminds me I still have work to do! BEST OF LUCK.
5 MizFit // Jun 11, 2008 at 10:42 am
for me it was the starting.
Im far better at keeping something up (off? who can say) than beginning the GOTTA LOST THE SADDLEBAGS race.
Britni? BABY STEPS ARE SO RIGHT.
set yourself up for success with goals you can NAIL and then add to them.
in fitness and in life.
6 Stephanie // Jun 12, 2008 at 2:47 am
“Dreams are renewable…” I love that!
7 StrollerFittin' // Jun 14, 2008 at 2:51 am
I actually found that the best way for me to stay motivated and keep going, was to not go it alone!!! I started taking StrollerFit classes to get back in shape after having my 2 children, and now I’m doing triathlons, 5k’s etc. Trust me, I was not at this type of fitness level before taking these classes. The moms in the class are fabulous and really make you want to be there in the mornings, you really miss it when you miss a class. Not to mention the babies are with you and you get a great workout!!!
Groups and friends are great motivators to keep going, even on those rough mornings:)
8 StrollerFittin' // Jun 14, 2008 at 2:55 am
I found the best way to stay motivated, was to not go it alone. I found a great program in my area, StrollerFit. It is a group exercise class for moms with their little ones in the strollers. It is an incredible workout and you meet a great group of moms, going through all the same things you are. It’s a playgroup that exercises. Who can be that. There are classes around the country,,,www.strollerfit.com to find one near you.
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