Weekend focus. I'm not sure about you, but I do NOT have any focus at all once I've completed my Saturday long run. Zip. Zero. Nada. I can squeeze those runs in at night during the week, even when it's the last thing I want to do. We push dinner to 9 pm, I sqeak those miles out, and I stay on track.
But on weekends? No way.
This past week I was short 5 miles, and had every intention of making them up on Sunday. Good intentions, however, didn't manage to get me moving.
The same thing happens with lifting - I can plan them out during the week, fit them in either at the gym or at home, and follow through with my plans. But when I schedule training on a Saturday or Sunday - never gets done.
The solution, of course, is to make it a non-negotiable plan. Pick a time of day, keep the schedule clear, and just DO IT. Tell someone, hold yourself accountable, and get the work done. Period. No excuses.
What about you? How do you manage to stay on track and focused during the time of the week when it's all about relaxing?
I feel your vibs and sooooo agree. I have no problem during the week even if I give up some sleep to get the job done, but the weekend is most challenging for me also. Saturday is my off day to spend time with family. It also gives my body a much needed rest from the demanding training M-F. What gets me out the door for the long run on Sunday afternoon is knowing it’s the most important run of the week / training schedule. I visualize the pain and suffering, or dealing with the aftermath of a DNF, of my upcoming race if I don’t get my butt out the door and get the miles in. Then I think about my troops overseas who live in harms way, 7 days a week in the worst conditions imagined, for our freedoms. What ever it takes to keep me motivated and keep life in perspective. If not for myself, then for someone else (e.g.: Iron Man father and son Dick and Rick Hoyt), is what I tell myself. I raise money for someone in need at times. And afterwards, I feel so good knowing I was strong enough to resist the easy path.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think it's the family time on the weekends that makes it the most difficult for me. I'm usually OK motivating for the long runs - you're right in saying that respecting their importance to your training is what makes them something of a no-brainer. But it's the little runs that I find so easy to bail on at times. It's so twisted when I think that I have no problem getting 22 miles done, but 5 is hassle.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to perspective, I find that I get such a jolt of mojo rejuvination when I'm out at a race and I see blind Achille's Athletes out on the road, wheelchair racers, or the amputees (who ALWAYS manage to beat me). Truly amazing.