Post-season idea

Peter Wick

Just had a thought as I was replying to an email here. As the season winds down, many of us are recovering physically and mentally from a long stretch of pushing ourselves and seeing what it did for us on the big day(s). That period is often fraught with doubts and wonders about the future but try to put those things away for a while.

How about this? Look at what you'd like to do next year and write it all down. I want a 1:32 half-mary. A 5:15 HIM (but then again I only seem to do hilly courses so that's a reach) and an 11:30 IMMT would be nice. Still being married would be good, too. ;-)

Anyway, take that paper and mail it to yourself. Don't open it until Thanksgiving.

Al Truscott

I think it works better if you write down every day, or even just think it for 30 seconds daily.

I first heard about this from Scott Adams (Dilbert) 15+ yrs ago, (http://www.self-help-and-self-development.com/written-affirmations.html) but became a believer when I started doing things like "Next year, I'm going to WIN the Captol City Half Marathon" ... That was ten years ago. I ve since learned, much more often than not, I can achieve those (realistic) things I imagine on a daily basis.

OTOH, if I say over and over, "This race is about having fun." Or "I m just going to see what I can do." I usually dont do so well from a time or place perspective.

We end up living in the world we create for ourself.

Peter Wick

Perhaps for some. Others might want to give more than their bodies a rest for a month or so. I'm not saying don't train, I'm saying maybe don't obsess for a while. Get some distance and then revisit what you thought you should aim for next year when your OS gets cranked up.