I often see billboards advertising sporting events. Usually they don’t get much more of my time than a bat of the eyelid and brief glance. I don’t really know why - perhaps its because I’m a bit of a cheapskate and don’t like paying too much for something. I’m talking about things like marathons, half marathons, triathlons, swim series, cycle races, etc etc etc. They don’t interest me much because I lack the stickability to do it - and also ‘fear’ losing. Not that I’d ever win - you know, you don’t want to look like the silly twat who entered a race well above their league!

But recently I’ve had a change of thinking. Sort of. While I’m not about to go sign up for a marathon, I wonder if perhaps signing up for something would make me workout better? If I had a goal in mind - one that was unchangeable by me - that a lot of people were striving for, would that help me to be consistent with working out? Well it worked for my sister.

She took Physical Education at school this year. For her it was more about keeping fit than wanting to pursue a career in fitness. Anyway at school they have a cross country run every year. It is compulsory to join unless you have some sort of proof - medical or parental - that you can’t do it. So she decided she was going to do well. Not win necessarily, but keep up with her friends and make a really good effort of it. For someone who never runs, it was a great goal. She was outside often, going for jogs around the neighborhood. The year before she came 40-something-th in the race. Nearly 50th. She was determined to do better this time around - especially as she was enrolled in P.E.!

So she had a goal in mind and set out to achieve it. She isn’t by any means a serious runner, but she wanted to beat her previous placing. On race day, she was running with over 100 girls from age 14-17. Aged 16 at the time, she did her best and came 32nd.

Now I don’t know about you, but that kind of achievement is outstanding. For someone who never runs - to step up and beat a score of the previous year - thats motivation!

So lets let it be a lesson to us. Lets go sign up for something we know we can manage, and then set out to achieve that goal! It doesn’t matter if we don’t come first, or second or third - just completing it would be achievement enough. What have we got to lose? A few dollars for a bit of motivation and a good lot of exercise? Go for it!

Tags: deadline, goal-setting, marathon

Filed under: Articles, Goals, Mckenna, Motivation, Success Stories