Tag: Running

Learn How To Pace

Traveled To Finland For 400 Meters
Traveled To Finland For 400 Meters

If you want to practice discipline, there are many ways. Mostly though, it requires an inspiring goal. You’ll need to figure out yours.

And if you don’t have one, then what? Consider yourself in a very exciting time – a time to work tirelessly until you’ve got something that makes you cry it’s so good.

I don’t like running 5k’s or 10k’s because they’re too far. No, seriously. Hard to believe, but I prefer 400 meters – 57 seconds or less, and you’re done.

Run a 5k or 10k at a leisurely pace? Preposterous! The primal, competitive urges overtake any rational ability to run slowly.

It is what it is.

Learning pace take practice, determination, and patience.  Great news though, these skills are transferable to every other aspect of our lives.

Boston Marathon 2010

Will Your Dreams & Motivation Go Down The Drain?
Will Your Dreams & Motivation Go Down The Drain?

Monday, Ryan Hall set an all-time American record, 2:08.41, for the fastest Boston Marathon finish by an American. Ever!

Ryan Hall was fourth overall, and the winner set a new Boston Marathon course record. Fastest Boston Marathon in it’s 124 year history.

Ryan ran only six one-hundredths of second faster than the previous American record.

Not six minutes faster, not six seconds faster, not six-tenths of a second faster.

Six one-hundredths faster.

We can’t even blink that fast. That was the cumulative time over 26.2 miles, 0:00.06 faster.

Mind boggling!

What does this mean to you? Most likely, nothing.

Or it may just be the daily motivation you were looking for. We start anew every day. We can never tire of the basics. Ever.

Master’s Athlete of the Year 2009

Master's Athlete of the Year, Rita Hanscom
Master's Athlete of the Year, Rita Hanscom

Rita Hanscom was selected as Master’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2009.

Rita Hanscom (San Diego, Calif.): Named World Masters Athlete of 2009 by the IAAF and World Masters Athletics after winning five gold medals in Lahti and setting a world record in the W55 heptathlon. She’s a deputy attorney general for the state of California.

The photo above is from the 2009 Master’s Track & Field Outdoor World Championships in Lahti, Finland. It was a privilege to meet Rita and her son and daughter.

In Finland, there was a sense of community and fellowship among the 5,300 athletes from 80 countries. It’s challenging to explain. It was unique, competitive, healthy and vibrant, supportive.  Amazingly supportive.

Who couldn’t use as much of that that the law will allow, in pursuing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?

USATF Masters Track Press Release

Shot Put
Shot Put

USATF Press Release, February 8, 2010: United States Largest Master’s Track & Field Indoor World Championships Ever, heading to Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

Click here to read the official USATF Press Release.

The past few weeks have been a painful reminder how challenging it is to stay motivated. Most of us can eventually find a compelling reason(s) to get healthy.

Few of us find compelling, long-term reasons.

That is why it is essential to figure out a million ways to stay motivated. A million.  Are ya with me.  Succeed or fail.  There is no middle ground.

USA Track and Field does it for me.  For now.

What’s doing it for you?