As of Sunday, marathon day was a mere seven weeks away. T and I headed down to Eugene Sunday morning and did our 16 mile easy run–isn’t funny how a 16 mile run can be labeled “easy?” 13 of the miles were with other Eugene marathoners as the race committee had organized a preview run. Midway through the first hour, we weren’t impressed with the route at all. But as we left Springfield and headed back to the banks of the Willamette River, we realized how nice the course actually is and how lucky the citizens of Eugene are to have such amazing places to run.
As the day approaches, I’m starting to get a little bit nervous. Even though we’ve got 7 weeks left, one of them is a taper (rest) week so we’ve really only got 6 weeks of training left. I’m feeling strong and fast these days; I’ve already completed long runs of 16, 18, and 20 miles with little problems. But those last 6.2 miles, that last 10K, is really scaring me. And everyone (except Pam) that I talk to tells me that that last 10K really SHOULD worry me. The only thing that I can do is stick to my training and go with the flow on race day.
Yesterday, I read a really good article about running marathons successfully. In “Motivation to Run a Marathon,” Jeannine Stein suggests that peoples’ motivation for running a marathon plays a huge role in whether or not they finish.
She classified motivation as basically coming from intrinsic sources and extrinsic sources. People who are motivated to run a marathon because they want to impress others, receive a medal, or brag to their friends that they finished a marathon are much less likely to actually complete the race than those who are motivated to run a marathon because they simply love to run, or want to prove to themselves that they can accomplish the feat.
The article really made me think. To be honest, I have both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation that keeps me on target. By far, the biggest reason that I want to meet this objective is because 52 pounds ago there was no way that I would have believed enough in myself to even attempt this distance. But now, through hard work and dedication, I’ve become a totally different person. Sure I’m lighter and fitter, and that helps when you’re trying to run 26.2 miles. But the real difference between the fat Mac and the fit Mac is confidence. I’ve already accomplished things during the course of my fitness journey that I never thought I’d be able to do–the marathon is the next logical step in my journey.
But I’d be lying to you if I told you that I wasn’t motivated by extrinsic sources as well. One of the biggest reasons I’ve lost the weight is the motivation provided by leaving everything I do out there in the public blogosphere. Everyone I know, and lots of people I don’t know read about my successes and failures almost every day. I definitely don’t like to publicly fail; by keeping my goals, dreams and aspirations in public, I actually think I’m more likely to be successful.
What about you, are you more successful when your motivation comes from within? Or do you rely on others to motivate you into action?
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There is no way you are going to fail even if you have to crawl I reckon.
And I have to admit that knowing that I had to do a race report on my blog was a large part of me never even thinking of quitting during my marathons.
AndrewENZ´s last blog ..Weigh-in #11 2010: Sick and a fun run
The main thing that motivates me is me, but I can definitely see how that race report that Andrew referred to would be solid motivation for not throwing in the towel.
I’ve begun working with Lauren Muney again, and after a couple of years, she’s familiar with my brand of wishy-washiness. One of the first things she asked me to do was sit down and think about what it is that motivates me. I realized that I, too, am motivated by extrinsic and intrinsic forces.
When I’m motivated by internal drive, I’m much more likely to enjoy what I do, and I’m much more likely to follow through and succeed. I can succeed when I’m externally motivated too (and this generally takes the form of seeking the approval of others), but seeking external validation makes me feel worried and stressed. It makes me unhappy.
So, I’m trying to find intrinsic motivation for the stuff I do. Or, to put it another way, I’m working toward being more like J.D. and less like what I think others want me to be. This is very very scary, but it’s also liberating. How will this translate into fitness? Time will tell…
Motivation has always, always been a tricky thing with me, but I’m old enough now to know the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic. For example, when I first started running, in college, I chose a route that took me by the house of a girl I had a crush on. I wanted her to see me out running, getting in shape, etc. I would huff and puff and be miserable until I got to her block, then I would lift up my head, puff out my chest and cruise by her house, and once past, would throw up. What I discovered was, after about two weeks or so, I got past her house in much less pain, then gave myself a little goal to, say, sprint up the next hill, just to see if I could do it. I could, and that, frankly, was so much more gratifying than if that girl had run out of her house naked and embraced me as I ran past (okay, maybe not, but you get the idea). The point is, I started out with an extrinsic goal – get this girl to see me running – that turned into an intrinsic one – sprint up this hill. This is true in work and everything else, and what I have to understand is that starting with an inherently extrinsic goal (love, money, fame, etc) is not a bad thing, as long as it develops into an intrinsic one (self-satisfaction, great health, endurance, enjoyment). If it doesn’t, all the hard work in the world won’t make it worthwhile.
And speaking of running, I got back on the treadmill this morning after a month off to recover from my shin splint, and I ran a very slow, but very pain-free, and very gratifying, two miles. Awesome!
I’m going to side with Pam and tell you NOT to worry about the last 10K. If you can run 20 and not crack, then you can run 26.2. You’ve put in the training, you’ve built the base, you’ll cover the distance.
I will say this: when people tell you to go slow, LISTEN (especially for the first one). I ran my first a year ago and two more since. 2 were disasters, 1 was a joy and one of the best days of my life. The 2 that went terrible were because I went out too fast. What I also learned, besides go slower, is you need to have some way to know when you’re overdoing it (for me its my heart rate monitor) and cut back effort immediately when you do. Resist the urge to press on because of some arbitrary time goal. Cutting 20 seconds a mile at mile 10 is way better than losing 2 or 3 minutes a mile from 20-26.
Have fun!
When I ran my only marathon many years ago, I had not run more than a handful of 1/2 marathons. I started running with a random guy in the crowd and he I were cracking jokes and really enjoying the first 15 to 20 miles. Then he crapped out and I started THINKING.
Well my feet started aching and I had really command my consciousness to keep my feet happy. Sounds crazy but it is true.
The moral of the story is that go to have serious fun and you will achieve your goal. Train intelligently and as well as you can and let the fun of the day carry you.
Frank Dobner´s last blog ..The Truth About Loose Skin
I’ve run 2 marathons. I wouldn’t worry about the last 10k. The atmosphere, fans, and other runners will help get you though it. I can still remember seeing the finish line in the distance on my first one and the emotions I felt. . . all that hard work!!! I ran my second one way to fast for what I trained for an got calf cramps to the point I was walking most of the final 10k. Why do I tell you this? So you don’t do what I did. Stick with your pace you’ve been running for the first 20+ miles (and don’t forget to eat and drink when you can) if you feel good at the end, then go for it. I was running 8.5-9 minute miles in training and found myself running 8 minute miles with the crowds on race day and PAID dearly in the end. Plus, if you start out slow, you’ll be passing the fools like me that started too fast at the beginning. Oh, and eat well the day before
GOOD LUCK!!
Definitely more successful when I’m doing something for myself, or at least FOR someone I care about.
I’ve been pondering motivation for my fitness goal this summer. I will be doing the Seattle to Portland (STP) ride, 204 miles, in one day. Been wanting to do it for a couple years now, and schedules worked out for me this year.
I’ve been thinking about why I want to do it, and keep coming up with a confused mix of internal and external reasons. Primarily I want to do it just to do it. To know that I can do it. I also want to use it as a feeler for possibly getting into ultracyling (12+ hour) events, so another personal reason. Externally, I want to finish, and finish fast; I’ll admit there’s a certain part of me that wants to show off. But I’m also doing it with friends, so there’s motivation to ride and finish with them.
Wow! who knew I had so many marathon runner/readers at GFS? Thanks for all the great tips guys! I never anticipated that this post would turn into a “getting mac to the finish line” kind of post, but I truly appreciate the help. Also glad to see that some of you, like me, are motivated by both internal and external forces. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in those feelings!
The blogsphere is incredible for accountability. I don’t want to ever post a single failure (though I know they’re coming) and it makes me work that much harder.
I want you to finish that marathon, because you finishing will give me a sliver of hope that I can finish a marathon as well. I just started running, and I’m going to run my first 5K in April, another one in May and hopefully a 10K in June or July. Slowly working my way up and it’s so inspiring to see other people train just as hard, if not harder. Keep it up. You’re so close!
Jess´s last blog ..It’s TOURNAMENT Time!
“One of the biggest reasons I’ve lost the weight is the motivation provided by leaving everything I do out there in the public blogosphere.” I’ve been inspired by you and now put my runs on my facebook status – miles today, monthly total, year-to-date total. I’m not ready to run a marathon and may not ever, but putting my numbers out there for all to see sure does give me motivation. Good luck!
You have made great progress so far in your training, use this to motivate yourself to carry on and keep succeeding! Keep the vision of you crossing the finish line in your mind and use the vision to empower you. You can do it!
I agree with the Facebook status updates. I, too, put my run times in there, and it’s gratifying to see my friends support me.
Good Stuff Mac. I use running events as an excuse to ask my friends to donate to a charity. Next month we’re running for Lost Orphans Int. Have done others in the past. It makes a great accountability check and can make for an emotional experience if it’s something you really stand behind.
-Joe