I recently attended a sport psychology seminar on running motivation. The speaker told us about The Runner’s Well – that pool of training and race experiences we can draw from when the road gets rocky and the hills seem endless. Need a boost during a run? Simply dip your bucket in the well. We are constantly adding to our well of experiences. Filling it up. The more we experience the more resources we have at our disposal. Running in knee deep snow and golf ball sized hail, battling gale force winds, dehydrating under a blazing sun, finishing a marathon with a loved one waiting for you at the finish line, running up and down a dreaded hill 10X, setting a new PB at the track, out-running a hungry wolf, a power song. When we find ourselves shifting down to first gear and running (or shuffling) straight into The Wall we can draw from The Well and use those past experiences and successes to motivate us across the finish line (be it literal or figurative).
Most of the most widely recommended motivational techniques are a bit too, how shall I say, touchy-feely for me. I get that lovey-dovey motivation works for others, but I always feel a bit hokey when I try it. I’m not really a dip my bucket in the well kind of gal. I’m more of a suck it up, everyone is struggling along with you and they aren’t complaining, kind of gal. I’m more of an if that 92 year old woman can do it you can too kind of gal. I’m more of an if you run faster it will be over soon kind of gal. I’m more of a do it or you’ll regret it kind of gal. I’m more of a 101 Kicks in the Butt kind of gal. But to my surprise The Well struck a chord. Maybe I’m extra susceptible to touchy-feely as race day draws near. Like the flu. Perhaps there is an inoculation for that.
