Mar 31 2008
Motivational Monday
Today is another great start to a hectic week. I started off the week with a 4 mile run this morning in the drizzle. It was frustrating starting out in the rain, but as you get going and your body adjust, the frustration wares off and the motivation begins. It is a great feeling to accomplish a tough task to start out the week. Unfortunately, I get to do it every monday and friday at minmum. 
What I have discovered is running long distance gives an individual an advantage in the business world and in life over those who have not experienced it. Not because of the positive health benefits, but because of the perspective it gives you going the distance. So many times we focus on the present, rather than focusing on the future. If you execute tasks for the future today, they will lead to solid growth in both your professional and personal life. However, if you focus short term and in the present, limited growth will occur.
Running long distance gives you the endurance to overtake hills, weather, distance, rough terrain, and obstacles. All of this is faced in the business world and life at different stages. Just when you want to quit at mile 3, your motivation kicks you in the butt and you dig in to conquer your feelings of throwing in the towel and walking. Life is the same way, if you do not train yourself to go the distance. You will never know what you are capable of doing until you push yourself to go the distance.
So my advice to you today is to go out and do 1, 2, 3, 4 miles to see how it feels to go the distance. But I encourage you not to settle for the bare minimum, as it will be an indicator of who you are and what you are made of. I challenge you to excel the standards and train yourself to go further each time you hit the pavement, then afterwards analyze how you can use the same momentum you used on that distance run, in your professional and personal life. Believe me, you will learn alot about yourself when you push yourself beyond your expectations. Most people will never know what their limit is, because they will never strive for it!
Life is good, enjoy it to the fullest and ensure you embrace your 5 human needs. Those that are not growing, are surely dying!
Life is a marathan, not a 100 yard sprint. Take your time and conquer it by planning effectively and training yourself to go the distance in life.
I read this post earlier today and at first it just went over my head. Lately I started to go to the gym for mostly walking, an hour or so a day, get some exercise, stay healthy. Today at the gym, after a year+ not running I remembered your post and said to myself, while I won’t try the 4 miles for the day I will do at least one today to start with. I’m a little undecided about running because it isn’t the best thing for the knees but I looked at today more of a challenge, a little win for the day. Not sure how long I will continue to run but nevertheless, it was a good and fun challenge.
Thanks!
Sahar
***SMO***
Sahar,
Congrats. Running is hard on your knees if you have bad running habits and consistently run on the pavement with poor running shoes. The shoes make all the difference on your knees. I have been running for years and have zero knee problems. All in the shoes and form. Tread mills are good to and designed to embrace the force of your body weight and help your knee joints out as well, if you chose to use them.
What I find even more challenging than running, is the the damn olyptical machine. Try doing that for 30 minutes straight on level 12 at a pace of 70-80. Best machine ever invented and improves your run time dramatically if you do it right. But doesn’t give you the same feeling of accomplishment as running on the road, where you are able to see where you started and where you finished, with all the obstacles inbetween. But, I do advise all not to start out at level 12 or start out running 4 miles!!!! Or you may have a heart attack.
Thanks Sahar for reflecting on this post. Next step, 1 1/2 miles.
Steve, I’m with you on the Elliptical machines. I run pretty regularly and switched to that for a while just to mix it up. Since I’m a decent runner I of course felt the need to jump in for 30 minutes at level 15, keeping it above 70. After a few days of that I ended up messing up my hip flexor, not too smart on my part. Whether running or elliptical, better to ease into it to avoid injuries.