I’m an avid outdoor runner, as you most likely know. And this time of year is particularly exciting because Prospect Park is filled with the energy of running groups training for the New York City Marathon – training for how to finish a 26.2 mile race strong.
On a recent run, as I was approaching the end of my 3.3 mile loop, I behaved just like the person I was venting about in this Twitter post from earlier this year:
I’m rounding the corner, coming to the top of the hill. But instead of speeding up and sprinting to the end so I could finish strong, I slowed down :(.
Can’t relate because you’re not a runner?
If you drive, the same thing happens when the car behind you moves to the left lane, speeds up to pass you, passes you, shifts back into your lane, and then slows down. Frustrating, right?
Run with endurance
Slowing down when picking up the pace might behoove you obviously isn’t confined to running or driving.
A similar phenomenon occurs when the goal or project on which you’ve been working is nearing an end and it’s beginning to look like your last effort is not going to be your best effort! Not good!!
Ironically, this usually happens because you’re approaching the finish line! Weird, right?
I think it’s due to fatigue – it grabs a hold of you and forces you to tap into every last bit of the reserve you have left. Now is also when upping your mindset game becomes critical – especially if you’re in it to win it, and can appreciate the idea that how you finish is just as important as how you start.
So…on the off-chance you need to employ the “runner’s kick” to help you achieve the goal or finish the project that popped to mind as you are reading this, propel yourself across the finish line by doing one or all of these:
- See beyond the moment – fatigue doesn’t just drain you of physical energy; it tends to cloud how well you think, too. Move your locus point beyond the moment when you want nothing more than to slow down (or, gasp, completely stop!) and let the “future” pull you toward it.
- Psyche yourself out – talk yourself to and across the proverbial finish line with the wonderful chant courtesy of “The Little Engine That Could” – “yes I can.” This storybook for children isn’t just for them and it’s a classic for a reason.
- Remember why you started this project or made this goal in the first place.
- Remember ALL the effort that got you here to this point.
- And when you cross the line, remember to say to yourself, “Well, done!”
The time is near
Next week is the week! The moment I’ve been working toward for months and that I’ve been referencing for weeks. It’ll be time to unveil version 2.0 of jacquettetimmons.com. Woo-hoo!! I am over the moon excited, and in need of a little “runner’s kick” inspiration myself. So, I’m off to take my own advice so I, too, can finish strong and do my part to ensure that what you see next week is my absolute best effort and not my next best…you know what I mean?
p.s. coming soon: the next round of Master the Language of Love + Money!
photo credit: Google images
