windwalker
I need an Adventure
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
It Starts With Believing
Scientists that specialize in human performance say that we have gone about as far as we can go. We have come to the limits of what our bodies are capable of. Its also said that for a while now records being broken are broken by people using performance enhancing drugs. It does seem that we are continually finding out that one of our sports heroes were busted for or have come clean about using drugs. Professional athletics is now often about better drugs not better training and coaching. Its sad, and it has an affect on the amateur athletes that they inspire.
The first wonderful time in the cycle of becoming an adult athlete is the initial year after beginning. During that time, we literally get better every week. Sometimes we can see improvement from one day to the next. Its a time of self discovery that has to be experienced to be appreciated. It really defies description. Once you get through that first year, the improvements slow down. They dont stop, but you really have to work for them. Thats when we have to make time or distance goals and target our training toward them. We learn to cross train. Stretching and diet become more important. We learn that a reduction in body fat/weight will result in a faster time or allow us to go further.
After we have become good at our chosen sport, we face that same dilemma as the professional athlete. What does it take to get to the next level? Its tough, because our sport has become a very important part of our life, and virtually, an indication of who we are. We are a runner, race walker, swimmer, biker. Regardless of the sport, its all about the same passion to move and excel. For many just staying regular with exercise is all they need to feel content. Some need to do the events like the 5K, the Marathon, or the Century. For others, competition is necessary for satisfaction. So you make a choice when you are at the competition level. Do you find a way to get better ,or do you use drugs to make the path easier. I think there is another way, a way that doesnt lead to performance enhancing drugs.
The better way starts with believing that you can be stronger and faster. It may involve reading about training methods that have proven successful for others. You can clean up your eating habits, ensuring you are getting the fuel you need without the harmful chemicals and empty calories. The biggest step you can take is gaining control of your body with your mind. We start feeling tired, and we slow down. The pace is uncomfortable, so we back off the effort. These are human nature, and the body sends those messages to the brain to keep us from being injured. There is a fine line at the competition level between improvement and meltdown. But learning to ride that line is infinitely better than taking drugs that mask the effort or allow us to artificially exceed the limits of our body. We can, in small steps, become much stronger and faster. When your body is sending signals to slow down, learn to tell it, Not quite yet, just a little more. Each of us are stronger than we imagine. We just have to believe it. We start believing when we do just a little bit more than we thought we could. When we can rediscover that belief in ourselves, that we had when we were beginners, then we can start making progress again.
All of us cant be champions. All of us can, if we believe we can and are willing to work for it, become better athletes. Once you start believing, you just might surprise yourself how good you can be.
Thanks for reading.
Dave
Scientists that specialize in human performance say that we have gone about as far as we can go. We have come to the limits of what our bodies are capable of. Its also said that for a while now records being broken are broken by people using performance enhancing drugs. It does seem that we are continually finding out that one of our sports heroes were busted for or have come clean about using drugs. Professional athletics is now often about better drugs not better training and coaching. Its sad, and it has an affect on the amateur athletes that they inspire.
The first wonderful time in the cycle of becoming an adult athlete is the initial year after beginning. During that time, we literally get better every week. Sometimes we can see improvement from one day to the next. Its a time of self discovery that has to be experienced to be appreciated. It really defies description. Once you get through that first year, the improvements slow down. They dont stop, but you really have to work for them. Thats when we have to make time or distance goals and target our training toward them. We learn to cross train. Stretching and diet become more important. We learn that a reduction in body fat/weight will result in a faster time or allow us to go further.
After we have become good at our chosen sport, we face that same dilemma as the professional athlete. What does it take to get to the next level? Its tough, because our sport has become a very important part of our life, and virtually, an indication of who we are. We are a runner, race walker, swimmer, biker. Regardless of the sport, its all about the same passion to move and excel. For many just staying regular with exercise is all they need to feel content. Some need to do the events like the 5K, the Marathon, or the Century. For others, competition is necessary for satisfaction. So you make a choice when you are at the competition level. Do you find a way to get better ,or do you use drugs to make the path easier. I think there is another way, a way that doesnt lead to performance enhancing drugs.
The better way starts with believing that you can be stronger and faster. It may involve reading about training methods that have proven successful for others. You can clean up your eating habits, ensuring you are getting the fuel you need without the harmful chemicals and empty calories. The biggest step you can take is gaining control of your body with your mind. We start feeling tired, and we slow down. The pace is uncomfortable, so we back off the effort. These are human nature, and the body sends those messages to the brain to keep us from being injured. There is a fine line at the competition level between improvement and meltdown. But learning to ride that line is infinitely better than taking drugs that mask the effort or allow us to artificially exceed the limits of our body. We can, in small steps, become much stronger and faster. When your body is sending signals to slow down, learn to tell it, Not quite yet, just a little more. Each of us are stronger than we imagine. We just have to believe it. We start believing when we do just a little bit more than we thought we could. When we can rediscover that belief in ourselves, that we had when we were beginners, then we can start making progress again.
All of us cant be champions. All of us can, if we believe we can and are willing to work for it, become better athletes. Once you start believing, you just might surprise yourself how good you can be.
Thanks for reading.
Dave
