Before dreams there comes something else- inspiration. It can come in many different forms. Some see an IRONMAN on TV and sign up for a triathlon that day. Others see the smile and joy on the face on a friend that finished their first 10k. It doesn’t really matter where it comes from, but inspiration always precedes a dream.
As endurance athletes, we find inspiration in the process of training and admire the work that other athletes are willing to put in. It is not the end result we applaud as much as we appreciate the amount of discipline and training that went into obtaining that result- because that is what we can all relate to. For all but a select few, we will never know what it is like to win an Olympic medal or the Boston Marathon, but we know what it is to set a goal, outline a plan, train daily, and put it on the line.
That process and putting in the work is what links all endurance athletes. Training with purpose, towards a goal makes you feel like you pushed your envelope just a little bit further that day. Daily training allows you to say, “yes I can” and gives you a chance to overcome the doubt and fear during every session. And every day is a chance to continue working towards your goals. The training provides focus, an outlet for what drives you inside. The journey is also the only sure thing. No matter how well prepared you may be, the result is never guaranteed. So make sure you enjoy your own journey and ensure that you are spending that training time wisely.
To do that, you need to have a plan in place. It is not enough just to want to work hard, you have to work hard on the right things at the right time. The journey has to be tailored to your needs, and your limitations, and be oriented towards your goals. If it is not, then you end up spending a lot of time working hard, but ultimately relying more on luck than preparation.
There are many ways to create your own personal plan for success. You can rely on your own experience and knowledge to do it yourself, you can find training plans that take you from start to finish, or you can hire a coach to give you detailed sessions and expert advice. Any of these options set out the steps you need to take to reach your goal. From there, it’s up to you to follow the plan and put in the work.
When you set out your goals you know the work that it will take to meet them, and that is what drives endurance athletes. It is only through the planning and rigors of training that we can find out just how far we can go, just how big we can dream. So once again it is time to look for inspiration and start dreaming. Don’t be afraid to think big and aim high. Then take the time to create the roadmap that will take you where you want to go.
Get started now.
