6-10
- Every success builds confidence that helps me get past the next major challenge.
- Schedules can be changed; be flexible.
- A single failure does not mean it’s time to quit attempting more.
- A single success does not mean it’s time to quit attempting more.
- Approach every endeavor as though it’s the only opportunity to accomplish that specific goal.
When I start a 10k run, I remind myself that it’s just two 5k’s and I’ve completed dozens of 5k’s. When I first started consistently exercising, I couldn’t say that. But I still applied the same principle. I looked back at the days I completed my planned exercise, even when that was just 20 minutes of walking. Soon I could remind myself that I had done this before, and it helped me do it again.
As important as a training schedule is, it is not chiseled in stone. There was no crystal ball that spit out the schedule with an all-knowing consideration for the future. Bad weather, stress, social opportunities, personal and family needs, job requirements—stuff happens. And sometimes, it is more important than any exercise schedule. Generally, I make every effort to at least do part of a scheduled workout. But there are days that I know I’ll benefit more just skip the day on the schedule altogether. The danger to watch for here is letting this happen too frequently, unnecessarily, or too many days in a row.
A bad day—in training, racing, or life in general—is not a reason to quit. I’ve had times when circumstances interrupted my training or plans for an extended period. It’s not the time to just give it all up; it’s the time to accept it, assess my current situation, and revise the plan accordingly. I’ve always found that I get back into the groove much faster than I anticipated, as long as I am realistic in my assessment and revision.
When I was training to run my first 5K race, I ran that distance in training about two months before I expected to enter a race. That did not mean I could sit around and wait for the race day. I could change my goal to a longer race, work toward a better time for the same race, or simply keep training the same way to make it a little easier. Celebrating success is great, but it doesn’t mean there’s not need to keep going.
Usually an event that took months to prepare for or one that involves special travel or timing is an opportunity that you won’t want to pass up.
The morning I was on my way to climb Mt. Fuji, I fell running down a hill to catch a train. Nothing but skin was broken. It was very easy for me to clean up and start again. I had trained for the climb for three or four months and had no idea if I would every have another opportunity to climb Mt. Fuji. I try to have the same—at least similar—drive with any workout. This is the only opportunity I have to complete this effort, to accomplish today’s goal and move closer to all future goals, including good health!