A few simple questions
Self Regulatory Learning, questions from Dutch researcher Marije Elferink-Gemser
I found these questions to be a good writing prompt for the new year. My goal is coming up here soon, so after I finish it I will reevaluate and set a new goal. I hesitate to plan 2022 yet in terms of racing because it is based on the outcome of goal #1
It doesn’t need to be realistic. What is my current goal?
My immediate goal right now is to finish my next race at Bandera. I am currently 6 days out and in a taper period. I feel strong, healthy and mostly excited to get to Texas.
Do you have an idea of what is needed to perform at the level you aim for?
I must relax in this taper as much as I can
I must trust in my training
I must run my own race
How do you make sure that you get an even better idea of what is needed to perform at that level?
Past experience at the distance
Evaluation of the training others have done combined with my own abilities and limits
Part of experiencing this race is that I do not know my capabilities here yet, that is exciting!
How are you going to arrange that?
I have trained smartly designing my training plan using knowledge from coaches, past experience and where my body is at now
I am going to get everything ready for travel and race day so there are no surprises and complications regarding that
I am going to continually meditate on my capabilities and remind myself that I can do what I set out to do
I will give my goal my best effort and not focus on results
Who are the people you need to help you to reach your goal, and how can you make sure they will help you to reach your personal peak?
Mentors, friends and colleagues are always willing to answer questions if I am vulnerable
If I communicate effectively, I am continually supported by the people who love me
I trust myself completely. I have done the work. I am not afraid.
Are you sure you want to reach this goal? Why?
I am sure I want to reach this goal. It actually took me a few weeks of thinking and reconsidering to figure out if I wanted it in the beginning. However, with contemplation and a healthy body and mind, I came to the conclusion that I did want to complete this goal. I want to see how I do against different competition. I want to spend a day running in a new place. I wanted to train for it using my own methods. I wanted to see the process. I enjoy feeling the changes in my body and genuinely looked forward to running 90% of the time. I had such a great season and it made me happy everyday to do the work. This goal is simply the expression of what I’ve loved doing. It is the artwork on the wall, the cake that has been baked. It’s my party…and boy am I going to DANCE!
