my “power” word
The inspiration for this blog comes from Annalisa who asked a question (I think on another blog) something to the effect, “how does a person develop mental strength?” so here’s my two cents on the subject!
Over the last few years, I’ve acquired several tools that help keep me going during particularly difficult runs or in very trying moments/minutes/hours(!) within runs. Some of these tools play on negative reinforcement while others are positive in nature.
Of all the tools I use, one word stands alone in terms of the tenacity it generates to keep me going when the going gets tough. The word has been a tremendous well of mental strength and has helped me defeat many demons while on training runs, doing speedwork and even while running marathons. What is fascinating to me about the word is that it can be used in both a positive and negative manner because it draws upon my own successes (the positive) and setbacks (the negative).
The word is “after”. After is a short, simple word but one loaded with meaning for me. Here’s how it works:
-Think about runs or races where you achieved a goal (e.g. a pace, distance or time goal).
-Now think about runs and races where you did NOT achieve a goal.
-In each example, were you alone or with other people or did you share your victory/setback with other people?
Here is where the power within the word lies…
-How did you feel AFTER you were successful?
-How did you feel AFTER a setback?
-In each case, if other people witnessed or heard about the event, how did that add to or take away from the accomplishment or setback?
The trick…
Use the power of the word while you are running! Meaning – while you are running, put yourself into a future point after the run/race and imagine the consequences of succeeding or not succeeding. Imagine the positive feelings of accomplishment and pride in achieving your goal. Also imagine the negative feelings of disappointment if you were to fail. If that’s not enough, take it a step further by imagining how you will bask in victory in front of your friends, partners and family versus having to explain (make excuses) why you didn’t have that victory!
The only catch with the word “after” is this – you must have EXPERIENCED both success and setback (I have experienced many of the latter!) for it to work. Furthermore, the greater number of successes and setbacks you have, and the more intense those experiences are, the better “after” will work!
I have to give credit to my bud Aaron for “after”. He knew its power well before I did but it took several successes and setbacks before I could understand what he was saying to me. Seems very similar to the old saying that you have to allow people to experience their own mistakes so they can learn from them huh?
So, that’s my power word and one of my greatest sources of mental strength – what’s yours?
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Thursday July 29, 2004 @
[...] er, faster Filed under: general — Mark @ 9:44 am We’ve talked about power words before and I’ve also talked about my childhood love of The Six [...]