I recently ran my last race of the season. One of my favorite moments came while chatting with one of the guys in my pace group. We were agreeing about how much we love race day because it’s so fun. It’s the reward for all our hard work.
But, wait – the day you run 3.1, 26.2, or 13.1 miles – that’s fun fun? Isn’t THAT the hard work??
Sure, technically, race day is work. But race day is fun and really is a reward – and that’s only BECAUSE of how hard we work. The time, the effort, the energy runners put into their training and nutrition and sleep, that process all makes race day the fun part.
That’s really what we both got to in our conversation: our shared love of the process behind training for a race. Not only does it lead to a fun race day, committing to the process offers benefits every other day along the way.
Many of my family members and friends think I’m really talented at running, especially my role as a pacer. I can see how it appears that I have a knack for being able to maintain the goal pace across all the miles. I get why it looks like I’m good at keeping the energy and enthusiasm going for the group, all the way to the finish line.
Process pays off.
The reality is, running and pacing is fun – because I have a process. I’m not talented. I’m not special. I’m not just really good at it.
I work hard. I run the miles. I take time for weight lifting days. I train to run faster than I pace, then practice a lot of runs at goal pace.
Nobody asked me, but my best running tips, my secrets to running, are pretty boring. I don’t wing it. I don’t skip the work. I embrace process.
Don’t wait for motivation
Years back, I wrote a blog about the myth of motivation. If you don’t want to read it, here’s the gist: motivation doesn’t exist.
Sorry not sorry. Motivation is bullshit, it’s not real. It’s a made up idea that people use because they think they need to psych themselves up to do something. Or, most often, motivation is an easy scapegoat to blame when they don’t.
“I just need to get motivated!”
“Ugh, I just didn’t have any motivation.”
Don’t rely on motivation. Embrace and build process.
Embrace process
As often happens to me, this concept of embracing the process began as a thought about training for a race. Training runs, proper recovery, good fueling, plenty of rest – they’re all part of the process. Basic process is always one of the running tips I offer to anyone who asks.
But beyond running, embracing process can pay off in other aspects of life. Recently at work, I was talking about the value of process while coaching a team member on a presentation.
I shared that the best speakers I’ve ever worked with have something in common: they don’t wing it. They gather facts, organize notes, and rehearse. These people are the best because they work hard; they embrace the process.
Clearly, I love process. Not only does process help build healthy habits and create a clear path to achieve goals, embracing a process is what helps you keep showing up every day.
Motivation will ebb and flow and eventually fade when anything gets rough. Loving and committing to process won’t leave you hanging.
Whether your health, at work, or anywhere important in life, that’s my message to you. Don’t wing it. Don’t skip the hard work. Don’t middle finger the process.
That’s enough for now. Until next time,
Lindsay