WHY AM I DOING THIS

I probably have all the reasons for running that you do. I am concerned about health, general fitness and weight control. I am delighted with the good fellowship of other runners. I delight in the trill of competition and the special joy that comes from winning. Even on training runs I like pressing myself to the limit and feel the sense of accomplishment of just being able to finish. I love the out-of-doors and the joy of a new sunrise. Running simply makes me feel good about myself. So, in mt calm and rational moments, I could probably give you at least two dozen reasons why I like being a runner. All of these reasons would be valid and some would be exceptional. They are all the justification I think I need for doing what I do.

Think, for example, of why you started running in the first place. It may have been a combination of things. It may have been one isolated incident: but SOMETHING pushed you out the door for the first time. It may have been some warning sign about your health, it could have been something you read about the benefits of running. Perhaps it was the encouragement of a friend. You may have been trying to deal with stress or the loss of a loved one. The sight of others may have caused you to wonder if you could do what they were doing; and from that small beginning you walked, you jogged .. until finally you found the joy of running. You had found out for yourself the answer of WHY.

Now fast forward to the middle of a race; the weather is warm, the hills are steep, the head wind is like a hand against your chest holding you back, the competition is fierce, your legs are heavy, your energy is drained ...THEN OUT OF THE BLUE THE QUESTION COMES ... "Why am I doing this?". Would it surprise you to know that out of those twenty four reasons I had before, I CAN'T THINK OF ONE RIGHT NOW???

All my reasons were valid, I know in my heart they were. The problem is, how do I make that work when the going really gets tough? How do I overcome the negative thoughts that crowed in with weariness and discouragement? How do I apply what I know in my heart to the times when all I want to do is quit?

It might be best to just admit that I HAVEN'T FOUND A COMPLETE ANSWER. I search for it. I struggle with it. I think I face another defeat that I really cannot explain; but maybe these suggestions will help a little.

1.  YOU MUST GET RID OF YOUR NEGATIVE THOUGHTS. And they will come. It is not a matter of inviting them or wanting them to come. They just appear at the most unexpected times. So plan for them and how you are going to deal with them.

2.  REPLACE THEM WITH POSITIVE THOUGHTS. Affirm your belief in yourself. Decide in ADVANCE the things you will focus your thoughts on in the bad times. The "I cans" can overcome the "I can't", so simply crowed out the negatives with positives.

3.  REMEMBER HOW LIMITED THE TIME IS. Sometimes you have only a few seconds to make the transition, otherwise you may be stopped or walking before you even had a conscious thought about doing it. SO REFOCUS QUICKLY. It is the only thing that will save you.

4.  FORCE YOURSELF TO THINK LONGER TERM. Not on the pain or discomfort of the moment; but of when the race is over. How will it feel? Will you be please with yourself and the effort you have made? If you can "lose yourself" for just a little while you can get past what is pulling you down.

I say again, I DO NOT HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. I have run seven hard miles in training and then walked in a 5K race the same week! With no explanation except that I allowed discouragement to destroy me. So review your reasons for "Why am I doing this?; and be ready to call those good positive things to mind quickly when the negative thoughts come. If you can do that consistently, it will make us winners ... at least over ourselves.