Where I do a majority of my dreaming. Love me some Starbucks.
I was sitting in a personal training consultation about a year ago with a new member of our gym. The gal had never had a membership to a club, had about 50 pounds to lose for her goal weight, and a worried look on her face. After a 30 min overview of the tons and tons of options to get her to her goal we came upon the deciding factor of what will ultimately get her to where she wants to be. "_____what is your motivation? What is driving you to get in these three to four workouts in a week?" She looked at me like I had just turned into a space alien. "Motivation?" was her emotionless response.
This seemed like the WEIRDEST thing to me. I am a dreamer almost to a fault- seeing that I truly believe I could be the next Olympian, Doctor, Astronaut or famous painter (maybe not singer I put the line there...) (obviously with a TON of dedication, hard work- and some stubbornness)- I could not believe that this is the one question that stopped her in her tracks.
She asked me simply- "Where do you find your motivation?" And after thinking about it for awhile- I just answered that I like the challenge and pushing my body and mind to finding a limit. But- you can't convince someone to want this, I realized. To merely enjoy "hitting the wall" doesn't motivate other people?
We finished out our appointment, showed her around the gym and closed our one hour meeting- however even a year from this appointment that question still burns in me.
Being a swim coach, I am constantly trying to find ways to motivate the kids when they are staring at a 3k yard main set (after they have already put in 4k of varying speeds)- but really, how do you find that motivation- if you just don't have it?
I thought at this point in my season it would be appropriate to write about MY motivation- and yes, this is a long, but all equally as important, list.
My Motivation:
My Mother
My mother is my motivation.
She is always having the best time ever- and is the strongest person I know. She worked 48 hours at the hospital last weekend with 3 hours sleep- and still wanted to meet me for coffee (on those 3 hours) to plan out my life plan of attack.
This is her after finishing Rev3 Portland last year- she had that smile THE WHOLE WAY.
This is her at Ironman Canada last year (12:05...cruising pace...)Whats scary is that she has decided to RACE Boston this year (coming for the girl that cruised a 3:42...with her longest run pre marathon being 12 miles.) She just has fun.
Not only has Hillary Biscay competed in 60 full distance Ironmans- but she has one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen. Hillary really believes in her athletes.
She has an amazing story- (and an even more amazing work ethic)- (theres a reason why she is featured in Chrissie Wellington's book as the chic that was taking off on a 6 HOUR TRAINING run.) If you have extra time I definitely recommend listening to Rich Roll's podcast: (its perfect if you have a 1.5hr plus trainer ride---ill be honest when I first listened I listened to it twice in a row)
I am also way motivated by basically every pro woman triathlete. I found myself split cheering for 5 different woman watching the live stream of Kona on Saturday.
The Team HPB girls in Kona. They seriously kicked ass- it totally motivates me and makes me super proud that I get to be a part of this amazing crowd. I have yet to take off on a training run without my SMASH visor proudly on my head. Ive been idolizing and following Alyssa's http://www.alyssagodesky.com/ journey for a couple years and was SO EXCITED watching her run across the line at a 10:14 10th in the 25-29AG. Also, another one of Hillarys girls, Maggie Rusch who finished in a smoking 10:23 with body temp of 108- she had mentioned not remembering descending Palani or running the last 1.5 miles. That girl is TOUGH- definitely tried to channel some of this on my treadmill run this am.
Motivation #3 My kids, Tri City Channel Cats
I love working with these kids more than anything. I could be totally defeated headed to work- and leave practice ready to train my ass off.
I asked one of our top girls a couple years ago what motivated her in practice to always be on time, in the pool, and swimming as hard as she could. She replied with simply wanting the hardest workout possible from the head coach. She's a dreamer- and it shows (she got 13th in the 200 backstroke at the last Olympic Trails and is a senior in high school visiting Texas A&M, Georgia, Auburn to name a few...)
Whats amazing to me about this group of kids is that they never question the workout- they are there to work as hard as they can...then go home. They NEVER complain- or get too cocky about their accomplishment (of just FINISHING some of the practices they are given).
Not to mention- how much fun they have. Most days my biggest struggle coaching the little guys is getting them to stay above the water and hold still long enough to explain what we are doing.
Motivation #4 My friend, Adrienne
Adrienne has been my hero since before I owned a bike. Since the first time my mother told me about her completing 140.6 miles in one day- I idolized this quiet, humble worker. She is someone who we would run into on a Sunday morning at 9am as we're getting started on our long run- she's just finishing up a 20 mile solo training run. What's amazing is how NBD she would be about it- she would almost rather ask you what you are doing over tell you how awesome her workout just was.
The finish of Cable bridge 10k last year- I guess I thought something was funny.
One day I took the time to just see what she had on her athlinks. I just hope to someday be as badass (and humble) as her.
I draw a ton of motivation from our whole 3rrr training group. They truly are my family.
Robyn Poulson is another person who I've idolized since before I started my first race. She has this amazing ability to believe in other people. I still remember my first bike ride with the "amazing robyn." I simply couldn't believe she would want me to join her on a ride- and although I was being dropped at every little elevation gain she would come back for me and keep me pedaling forward.
Motivation #5 ME
I draw a lot of motivation from other people, but a huge part of my personal motivation is trying to find my limit. I have been asked quite a few times the last couple of weeks of what I'm training for- and my best answer is "life." I LOVE the challenge of looking at a workout with awe and wondering if I can finish it. I love the feeling that I get when I DO finish the workout and all I want to do it throw my arms up in the air as if I just won a race.
These are challenges I have been putting myself in since I was a little girl. This is a picture of my at Zones in Hawaii when I was 12. I just remember being so serious about my first final at a higher level meet. It was a big enough deal making it to the competition- but these races are what my 12 year old self had trained for- and I loved the challenge. I've been practicing dreaming since before I was 12.
I also love dwelling in the possibility of reaching my dreams. I am constantly dreaming of either the process of my next upcoming training session, or the feeling of exiting the water, dismounting the bike, or running through the finishing chute. These feelings seem to motivate me through any training session.
I also seem to enjoy the hurt. :)
And that..."done" feeling
But also, a bit of my motivation- is genuinely enjoying the process. It might take me some visualization (or chocolate somedays) to get out the door, or into the pool- but within 5 minutes I am LOVING every second the training. Crowie said it really well one time about loving the challenge and alone time of triathlon training. The time with myself to let life slow down.
What is your motivation?
Love, Erin
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