Icespike Tip of the Month Reach Your Potential - Reach Your Goals

by yours truly, Chantal Warriner

Late fall is a great time of year to plan our following season’s race schedule.  

November means two things to me.  It is my birthday month, and the month in which I start planning my following season’s race schedule.  There’s nothing like getting a year older that makes you evaluate and re-evaluate your race goals and bucket list.  I find this time of year extremely motivating.  I am rested and recovered from my previous running season and ready to plan and dream of my upcoming adventures.  

With any goal, it is imperative to ask yourself the following questions:

1. Where am I now?
2. Where do you I want to be? What do I want to achieve?

We could further elaborate these important questions with:

Where am I now?

1. What is my current fitness level?
2. Where is my head at?
3. What worked for me this season?
4. What didn’t work for me this season?
5. What motivated me to keep training/racing?
   

Where do you I want to be? What do I want to achieve?

6. What is important to me to achieve next year? In the next few years?
7. What support system do I need to put into place?
8. What team members/stakeholders do I need to engage?
9. What will keep me motivated to continue training/racing?

{...to name a few}

When answered truthfully,  these questions can help you create a roadmap to success.  

However, to be realistic, the best laid plans can potentially fall apart without some basic key elements.  A successful runner is typically an athlete would trains consistently.  In my opinion, staying motivated is directly related to training consistently .  One technique that has kept me motivated over the years is keeping a training log.  Seeing myself reach targets and hitting key workouts is empowering and keeps pushing towards my goals.  

In addition, a positive attitude may keep a runner strong and happy.  It is not out of the ordinary for me to repeat the following simple phrases throughout my workouts and races:

“I am a strong runner!”  

“I am fit.  I am healthy!”

“I can do this.  I WILL do this!”  

Lastly but as equally important is comfort.  Comfort - or should I say the lack of comfort - can and will make or break a success story.  Running shoes that fit properly; clothing that doesn’t cause chafing; and course using Icespikes so traction isn’t an issue! These are all things that we could easily be incorporated into our running.

So there you have it.  Reach your potential. Ask yourself the questions! Make a plan! Train consistently! Stay positive and believe in yourself.  We are all capable of doing great things.  We just need to go for it.

The holiday season is fast approaching.  Beat the holiday rush and order now.  #icespike

Thank you.

Chantal W.

Like me on facebook and follow my training and racing adventures https://www.facebook.com/trailrunningchantal/