Yep, whenever I start something, I've got to find something to read. I found this book , Running for Mortals, by John "the Penguin" Bingham. I'm found this book after reading a quote Jim left in a comment. First of all, the quote was so good, "The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.", that I had to look up the runner himself and found his situation to be much like mine: at 43, he found that he needed to do something about his health and started running (in a nutshell-- it's much better in his words). I was also inspired to read it by the title. I don't have a lot of claims to "fame", but I can say without doubt I am mortal. His co-author, Jenny Hadfield, is also inspiring and has given me some new things to think about. She's involved with things like adventure racing which sounds intriguing and exciting. I don't know if I'll ever get there (who knows), but the idea is so cool. I think the fun of reading this book and running in the Shamrock Sportsfest is figuring out that there really is fun and rewarding exercise out there for adults to take part in, outside of some organization (namely school). The motivation, fun, and rewards in organized competition does not have to end with graduation from high school (as it did with me) or college. In many ways, I've had to admit to myself lately, I am extrinsically motivated. This was a really difficult reality because I've always had a belief that the intrinsically motivated are more noble, but I've come to realize that that attitude has made me miss out on some really good things in life. Like most things, finding a balance between the two is essential. I'm really motivated by participating with other people-- even if I don't expect to be "in the public winner's circle"; I'm really happy being in my own circle-- but I do like being "out there" running for that goal with others good, bad, and indifferent. I was really jazzed when the start horn went off and I moved off in the mass of thousands of runners and walkers to finish the course. A thrill I look to repeat because, honestly, it is more motivating then some seemingly far off goal of "good health" and the loss of 50 pounds, which may as well be a million!
I'll be back later with more thoughts spawned from this book....
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