Tag: 2006 Masters National Championships

How much competition is enough?

Masters Track
seeded 20 out of 34 in the M45-49 400 meters
Masters Track
moved to 10th overall, missing finals by two spots

How much competition is enough? You know, competition isn’t even necessary, except for one place – with the devil. We MUST find a million ways to stay motivated to keep moving.

For three years, 1999 – 2002… no competition, recreational running only.
…got bored, demotivated… ready to quit…

Three more years, 2002 – 2005… discovered the joy (and pain) of 5k’s.
…got bored, demotivated (again)… ready to quit…

Found Masters Track meets locally 2005-2007

In 2006, after six years solid running and conditioning foundation, the photos show, going into the 2006 Masters Track & Field National championships, jeff noel seeded number 20 of 34.

Finished 10th, missing the finals by two spots.

It doesn’t matter. What matters is it’s 2013 and I’m still running with a passion stronger than quitting – that’s 14 years, by the way.

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Now What Will You Do?

After 7 years of running, was seeded 20th, M45-49 400m. Not bad for a rookie at the 2006 National Championships.

Make the most of it. Ever mumble those words under your breath? There was no other choice (except quit). Never forget, everyone struggles. So, there, all’s fair. Get over the pity party.

You know the feeling about needing to use the restroom before some big event you’re involved in? Think of it on steriods. Plus, had to (try and) manage the warmup timing. Too little and you’re unprepared for excellence. Too much, you might miss the heat announcement.

Where you get to warmup, it’s not easy to hear announcements.

I was a rookie at every step of the process.

You could feel the veterans looking down on you, thinking, “Rookie!”

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