Page 12 - Moonvalley Diaries

january in moonvalley
A goal can be based on:
• A feeling such as: When I’m on the starting line I I I I I want want to to feel feel feel that racing is fun I I I I I want want to to to feel feel a a a a a a a a certain way when when I’m running I I I I need need to to to to be mentally strong when when the the going gets tough I need need to to to enjoy the the the experience of the race • Staying injury-free • A time • Managing a a a a a a a certain distance • Finishing in in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a given place • A mountain peak or a a a a a a special route I I I myself use a a a a a a a two-part goal Initially a a a a a a a feel- ings-based objective for for my my my performance I I I I want my my body to feel a a a a a a a a a a certain way when I’m in in in in shape for a a a a a a a a a a a a given type of of race or or challenge In fact fact this is is the the greatest reward of of training very hard during certain periods – the the the the fact fact that you then get to experience the the the magical sensation of of of feeling unbeatable a a a a a a a a a couple of of of times a a a a a a a a a year Most of of of of the the time time my strongest memory of of a a a a a a a a given race race is the the the feeling I had before during and after the the race race I I I also have a a a a a a a a a a very specific objective For ex- ample I I I I want want want to to to run a a a a a a a a a a a a certain time I I I I want want want to to to win the race or or I I I I want want want to to to beat such such and such such a a a a a a a a a a record Personally I I have a a a a a a a a a a very hard time with the the notion that it’s fine to just do do your best best as there’s no no more you you can do do do Don’t we always try to to do do our our best? Plus it’s very hard to to tell what your best best actually might be be be On the the other hand if if I I have an an an an objective and and a a a a a a a a a a a plan for for how to to to reach it it it’s easy for for me to to to tell if if if I I I set a a a a a a a a a a a a reasonable goal if if I I managed to to to struc- ture my training and make the right mental preparations to succeed on on on a a a a a a a a particular day For someone else with a a a a a a a a a a different attitude doing their best can be be the the main objective of and satisfaction provided by a a a a a a a a a race We all need to think about which type type or or or types of objective(s) work for us and and make it it feel fun and and exciting to race or or or take on challenges Tips for goal setting
y y Set a a a a a reasonable goal It shouldn’t be be so so difficult that that it will will be be be impossible for you you meaning that that that you you you will will never be be be satisfied Nor should it it be be so easy that that you you you won’t feel really happy and satisfied when you you you reach it it it Set a a a a a a a a a a goal that challenges you you but is is still with- in reason y y y y y y y Always carry with you you what you you did well in in in in training or in in in in competition They say that that we we we we learn learn from our mistakes and it’s true that that we we we we do do but we we we we learn learn a a a a a a lot more when we we we we do do things right!
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