This is where a little motivation needs to come in to play.  Bonnie and I have been meeting weekly to touch base on our progress and reaffirm our commitment to Silverman or Bust. During our meeting this week, we discussed the challenge of training by ourselves. Both of us experienced a distinct drop in motivation last week when we missed our regular meeting. And although we may “know” what needs to be done, it’s the getting it actually done that is often the greater challenge.

The inspiration is always there, but the motivation is sometimes a little lacking.  This is when Bonnie suggested that inspiration is what you feel from within and motivation is often an external force.  So, looking at this in terms of my own workouts, training with a friend, trainer or someone else creates the external motivation to inspire something within me push through hard workouts, to stay the course, to challenge my limits.  Although I can be our own motivating force, I recognize that this particular journey for me is more inspiring and enticing when enjoyed with the energy of others.

So, if you know that daily motivation for you may be a challenge while training for your long term goal, it’s important to set elements in place that will help drive success.  For me, this means that I need to work out  and train with friends, or at the very least, be accountable to someone on a weekly or daily basis with my training plan and goals. If your are training for something longer term – whether is a marathon, triathlon, athletic event or otherwise – I highly recommend finding someone on a weekly basis to account for your progress.

How do you set yourself up for success?  What are your motivating factors?  Share the conversation!

Upon getting back though, I started to feel a little bit less than 100%.  For me, this basically means that I don’t physically feel up for doing what I want to do.  You might suggest that I just roll through it anyway.  Yes, this is one way.  I like to listen to my body though – sleep a little more, eat well, lots of hydration and sleep a little more.  This has been great to get me back up to 100%, but taking myself out of the routine creates a little challenge to get back in (especially with the piercing cold weather settling in).  I realize that one of my priorities really needs to be to create a solid schedule to stand by and getting the appropriate gear in place so I don’t have any excuses.

Also, it’s been so inspiring to see more people get involved. Even if it’s not for Silverman specifically or any triathlon, I meet lots of people who have some wonderful stories to share about fitness, about riding or swimming or running or hiking.  It just never ends.  All those people out there doing a marathon or 1/2 marathon for the first time – all those people who we see and admire for being strong and fit and dedicated to training; many of those people were sitting on the sidelines just a year ago, or maybe 3 months ago.  The point is that everyone starts somewhere and look at where they are now with a little time and a little motivation.  Those people, the every day people – friends, acquaintances and strangers – they are the ones that truly inspire me.

So, with that bit of inspiration, I am dedicated to making a solid schedule this week.  That’s my plan and my intention.

Your thoughts, suggestions and feedback always welcome!  Keep the energy moving!

For me, Silverman or Bust is about striving for next year’s Silverman Half triathlon.  For someone else, it could be the full triathlon. For still others, it may be just the inspiration to to something a little out of their normal experience, like a 5k or climbing Half Dome in Yosemite, maybe getting fit for the Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon, or submitting their personal works in a photo contest or writing contest; maybe it’s writing a book.  Whatever it is, it’s something that may seem a little out of reach, or something that one knows is possible, but hasn’t been given the proper priority or attention.  This is the spirit of what Silverman or Bust is all about.  All the ideas and thoughts that we are sharing in this blog can easily apply to any goal or discipline.  It’s about defining the vision, and striving for it.  It’s about overcoming daily challenges and redirecting our energies from the usual activities toward something that ignites our imagination and excites us.

This is what I believe Silverman or Bust is truly all about.  So, if the half Silverman is not your thing.  Go out there and find your thing! And then come back and tell us about it!