Is "Achieving a Personal Best" a Big Motivator for you?
By khalablue
@khalablue (309)
Canada
April 26, 2007 3:03pm CST
Last week-end I ran in our local 10km (6 mile) fun run and finished with a personal best. I have been running about 3 years, and my target each year is to achieve a personal best, which so far I have been able to attain. I did the race in an hour and 21 minutes. Compared to the 1st place finish of 29 minutes, I know I am super slow. But, I am not 19, 6 feet tall, and a natural born runner. I am 59 and I stand a little under 5 feet, with short legs and a long body. So I am pleased that my time was almost 10 minutes better than my first attempt. What about you? Does achieving a personal best provide the inspiration to keep you motivated, or do you need another more tangible incentive?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@Methodless (882)
• Canada
26 Apr 07
I don't run.
However, in other aspects of life, achieving my personal best is probably the best possible motivator for me.
1 person likes this
@khalablue (309)
• Canada
3 May 07
Good for you. I think when the motivation comes from within it is a sign that you are in tune with your goals.
@losangelet (114)
• Italy
28 Apr 07
Yes, sure. Achieving a personal best is one of the most important things that provide the inspiration to keep me motivated.
@matlgal (1686)
• United States
3 May 07
Well goodness gracious woman! I think my new personal best will be envying YOU !!! that is wonderful! I walk alot at work during a day, but I can tell you I cannot run from here to the front door. That is wonderful ! Good for you! You make me proud to know you !
@khalablue (309)
• Canada
3 May 07
Well, thank you. I cherish your compliment.
Someone asked me if I had been running all my life, but you know when I was a kid running was not something that I even thought of doing. Sure, I was active, but I recall one time in gym class when I was 15 we were sent out to do a lap around the 1/4 mile track. I got about a third of the way around, was seized by a charlie horse in the back of thigh, collapsed in the middle of the track and had to be carried back to the showers. I figured then and there that running was not my thing. It wasn't until I was in my mid 50's and was diagnosed with a degenerative illness that made me realize that if I wanted to live a quality life that I needed to do something to get my metabolism revved up. I started power walking and running just seemed to be a natural next step.
I do find that in order to stay motivated I need to keep upping the ante. That means setting new goals. At some point I am going to have to realize that a personal best means something other than beating my previous time, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.
Cheers
