All month, I assumed that I must be lacking motivation, because I haven't seemed to get myself to do much mid-week running or speed-work. This was particularly concerning in the past week since my knees and hip have been feeling much better for the past week or so. I also haven't been to the pool for months and I actually really enjoy swimmingAll year long, I was pursuing a goal of "going farther". With that carrot out in front of me, I was motivated to do train in a way that allowed me to increaseddistance from 5K to 10K to half-marathon and from sprint to olympic. It got me out on my bike, into the pool, into the lake, and steadily increasing my running distance week after week.
Guess what? I actually don't think I'm un-motivated. I simply have a new carrot out in front of me. It probably won't last for more than a few months, but my carrot for the off season is to lose those pesky 8 pounds.
This carrot makes me do different things than the previous carrot. It motivates me to do strength training at the gym. It motivates me to schedule and enjoy long slow distance runs without increasing distance. It motivates me to think about what and how much I'm eating. It doesn't seem to care about swimming.
Some of you might have more than one carrot at a time, but this is the only one that I'm actively pursuing at the moment, and that's fine by me. Today I am down another 0.5 lbs bringing me to -3 of my goal of -8.
So...What's your carrot?
Going long, baby! Going long :-)
ReplyDeleteand I like this too:
Simply because I can...
I've been contemplating this a lot lately. Is it losing weight or going long? Cuz they are different. It definitely needs to be losing weight. I do so good during the week, then a day or two of indescriminant eating, and I lose all the ground I made up. I guess I have to stay on this deal 24/7. At the same time I find myself dreaming about marathons and HyVee triathlons...
ReplyDeleteSo far so good Lisa!! ;D ;D You'll definitely catch it! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am in the process of doing exactly what you did with distances. I wonder if that is how we will all end up at IM someday?
ReplyDeleteGreat job with the 3 pounds!!
ReplyDeleteMy carrot right now is the Sedona Marathon in Feb. It will be much harder than my first one this year, so I am focusing on running more hills and speedwork. Also, I'd like to be a bit lighter :)
My carrot is to be able to continue to train in the winter, running outside as much as possible, so that next year my season will go better. Also to train to stay uninjured.
ReplyDeleteHey Lisa! My current carrot is the Reading Half Marathon..... my Dad did this race nearly a qtr century ago (doesn't that make me feel old)... and to run this race will simply be special for that reason alone!
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking and congrats on the lbs!!
My carrot is on Aug 2- Steelhead 70.3 (half-ironman). It is keeping me focused so far.
ReplyDeleteMy carrot is one of those gross yellow/green blobs that doctors show you to represent fat.
ReplyDeleteMy laziness has only added five pounds on the scale but I know there is a lot of fat replacing muscle there now too...I am going literaly work my ass off to get rid of that blob hanging in front of me!
My carrot is related to Type 2 diabetes - having a hba1c (blood sugar level) in the fives - to achieve that I have to eat really really carefully and exercise every day and lose weight - so far so good!
ReplyDeleteI have found that I'm now about - in cooperation with my doc - to taper off my anxiety meds. They have unpleasant side effects and are expensive, too. As long as I keep up the training, I can sta off the meds.
ReplyDeleteI think I might have the same carrot. Trying to loose that holiday weight...
ReplyDeleteI have a bunch of other carrots, its just the work trying to dig them out seems so hard these days..
That's a good carrot.
ReplyDeleteMy carrot is a pair of Dolce & Gabanna black skinny pants.
ReplyDeletePretty much what Wes said. Also, more specifically, 2008 = the year of the full marathon.
ReplyDeletei'm still trying to figure it out. definitely food for thought... thanks, lisa.
ReplyDeleteMy carrot is definitely pursuing longer and faster running in 2008. I would be thrilled with the carrot you are currently chasing. I could drop about 20 lbs right now.
ReplyDeleteStopping by to remind you about 8 on the 8th this weekend. Hope you can join us. I just posted some race shirts on my site. If you run, remember to post a race report and stop by to let me know. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteMy carrot at the moment is to lose this cold before Polar Bear tomorrow. Lisa-how about Soma next fall for a goal?? the longer ones are easier-I promise!
ReplyDelete:)
3 out of 8 is so good. And it's only December.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
ReplyDeleteNice job. Mine has usually been to experience new things, so we'll see what inspires me after the baby.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, Slow and Steady all the way!
ReplyDeleteIf you lose weight, u will go faster (and further).
ReplyDeleteI ran across your comment on Nancy's blog. That's a great question and one that always seems to be changing. Great job on the lbs.
ReplyDelete