Staying Motivated
Have you ever read anything by former pro triathlete and Ironman legend Scott Tinley?
In case you didn’t know, Scott Tinley was one of the pioneers of the sport back in the 80’s, and was one of the ‘Big Four’, with Dave Scott, Mark Allen and Scott Molina.
Philosophical Ramblings
When I first started in the sport, I subscribed to ‘Triathlete’ magazine. I say subscribed, when really I mean ‘searched for’. Originally, it was an American edition and as it was imported and pretty limited, it could only be found in very few shops, usually only one copy! Eventually, the European edition started being published and my searching was over.
Anyway, Scott Tinley, well retired by then, wrote a piece in the magazine every month and his was the article I would search for first.
It wasn’t specific training advice or anything practical that you could take into next week’s training, but more philosophical and sometimes even strayed into the spiritual. A column that would get you thinking about yourself and the sport a little more deeply.
I love that sort of stuff.
I missed his columns when he stopped writing, and to me, the magazine was never the same.
Finding The Wheel’s Hub
I have a couple of his books at home. Racing The Sunset, a story about his retirement from the sport and ‘Finding The Wheel’s Hub – tales and thoughts from the endurance athletic lifestyle’. The latter is a series of essays and articles he’s written over the years. I pick it up and read a few of these articles every now and again. In fact, it’s often found on the coffee table in my lounge!
In a recent post, I referenced Ironman legend Scott Tinley, with Ironman: The Call Of The Distant Drum …
Keeping with this Scott Tinley theme – and linking to a recent post I wrote ‘Triathlon: Five Reasons We Love It’ – here is an article he wrote on Staying Motivated. I think it’s particularly good for those athletes who have been in the sport a while and wondering what next.
STAYING MOTIVATED – by Scott Tinley
How do you maintain the same motivation you had the first time you pulled on a swim cap and lined up with 200 other numbered bodies, all milling around nervously in the predawn light, pacing stoically about the transition area, secretly scared sh*t-less-just like you. You had a fire in your belly, fuelled by the twin brothers of anticipation and determination. You were psyched.
Over the years, though, the embers cooled, the fuel became scarce and you just plain didn’t feel the same way about getting up at 4:30 a.m. to gut your way through another 1.5km swim / 40km bike / 10k run race. But you liked it just the same, you know, the benefits of training and all. Only, the “enthusiasm” had gone down a notch.
You want it back. I want it back. Here’s our plan of attack.
Find Your Why
Ask yourself why you are training, competing, spending $4000 on a bicycle when your car is worth $2000. If you can’t come up with a clear reason, keep thinking. This is important. There is no right or wrong reason. Only that you know in your heart why the hell you stay in the sport.
Find Your Origins Of Passion
Try to think back to what it was that originally attracted you to triathlon. Is your motivation the same? Or has it changed? Think hard. Write it down. Explore the reasons for this change in thinking. You see, to reach success of a deep personal nature, its important to love what you do. If you don’t truly enjoy the sport for what it is. move on. Find something you can get fired up about. If you’re still in the hunt but need to make changes in your approach, your “philosophy of triathlon,” so to speak, do it with a clear understanding of what it is you need to address.
Attack Your Fears
A poor attitude or loss of motivation can also be disguised as a lack of control or failure to succeed at a given task. I have found that many people fail to reach certain goals because they choose the wrong ones.
It is very difficult to attain specific performance goals when there are so many factors beyond our control. For instance, I might say my goal is to win the Ironman again – which is a lofty target. But it is not as simple as just putting down a finishing time or place. If I get terribly fit, win a dozen races, make a lot of people happy and get second in Hawaii, have I failed? It is better to have slightly vague, yet measurable and heartfelt goals that address certain intrinsic rewards, like setting an example for kids, or developing your self-esteem.
If you do what you love and you do it to the best of your ability, the material rewards-money, trophies, even respect from your peers – will come naturally.
Some triathletes fear that they will let people down or the pain will become intolerable. Guess again. The truth is, people don’t really care how you finish. Your true friends, those whose opinion counts, will only want that you do your best and enjoy your experience.
Reverse The Cycle
If you think you will have a bad race, chances are your prediction will come true. The mind-body connection is tight.
You become what you think about and your race is won or lost before the gun goes off. You can reverse this self-fulfilling prophecy by reducing the stress of fear, unrealistic goals and self-doubt and thinking positively. Consider that we are all lucky enough to have the opportunity to compete. Life is very short. We must enjoy our endeavours. You don’t get another chance.
Give Something Back
You want to get motivated? Find a way to put something back into the sport. Sports psychologist and motivational speaker Manny Edelstein put it this way: “It is in giving that we receive things of real value. Set an example. Be somebody’s hero, even if that somebody is you. Believe in what you do so that others can believe in themselves, too.” Well said.
Five actions for us all there.
- Find your why
- Find your origins of passion
- Attack your fears
- Reverse the cycle
- Give something back
I hope you can take something away from this and enjoyed reading these viewpoints from another voice.
My advice? If you ever see something written by Scott Tinley, read it. It’s sure to fire you up!
Staying Motivated
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