Running requires: hard work in training, a desire to
compete, mental toughness, proper nutrition, a zest for life outside of
running, and a fire to win. Each of these components are essential for a great
running career- However, the career is not ever complete until you strike a
balance of all these elements. Finding the appropriate balance is tricky sometimes
because EVERYONE is DIFFERENT. By this I mean that each individual has a
different response to training, recovering, nutrition, etc. No single recipe
works for everyone
Training is a stress adaptation that everyone can experience- simple. However, it gets complex in regards to HOW individuals can handle the stress. Genetics cause people to have different ways and
abilities to adapt to athletic stress. As a result, everyone can improve but everyone will not
improve at the same level (Bradley, Brzycki, Carlson, Harrison, Picore, & Wakeham, 2004). So keep yourself in check: You may not be the fastest on the team but you can be the fastest that you yourself have ever been- sometimes being the fastest you have ever been means you are the best, sometimes it means you are second, or seventh. The place does not matter- what matters is that you brought it hard every day and gave 100%.
- Nutrition is also a large part of training- thus, the same
rule applies: everyone can improve their nutritional intake but everyone will
not achieve the same “look” or “physique” this again, is largely due to the role genetics
play. As a result, it is illogical and destructive to
compare your physique and ability to train to others around you.
Using others as an inspiration is one thing but
we all know the difference between jealousy and unrealistic expectations of our
bodies- when we start to unrealistically expect our bodies to produce the same
results and look like others we become unmotivated and obsessed over the wrong
things.
- This can also cause undo stress. Since training, work, and or school is enough stress in and of themselves, exposing
oneself to even more stress will cause mental and physical weakness which will
lead to poor performance results, injury, and possibly illness.
h Although it is hard, rise above the easy thing to do. The easy thing to do is to follow what society tells us to and compare ourselves to others. It is easy to get mad and frustrated with your body, it is easy to be unhappy with it, and it is easy to be jealous of others. However, the hard thing, and the right thing, to do is to understand and respect what your body is and what your body can do. Rise to the challenge and realistically make goals and changes. Then, be happy with the outcome.
Source:Bradley, M., Brzycki, M.,
Carlson, L., Harrison, C., Picore, R., & Wakeham, T. (2004). The female athlete: train for success. Terre
Haute: Cardinal Publishers Group.
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