Like any addiction, drugs or another obsession, that activity makes you feel "high" and you get that adrenaline "rush" when you're doing it. To this date, the best known adrenaline rush for me has been that feeling after a good work out. If you ask anyone, I'm not a big fan of running or training but lately I've been really on top of it all. We are constantly being reminded that every great field hockey player (or any athlete for that matter) spends hours and hours perfectly the necessary skills, techniques and physiological requirements for them to be great at what they do.
Often, I am surrounded by people who are now picking up new sports and activities and their dedication to their sport is far from self-motivation and satisfaction. The new generation of active and healthy living, diet and exercise is fantastic however, for it to sustain I believe it must be for proper reasons. I suppose if you recently broke up with you boyfriend and you go to the gym to work out every day so you can look great in your bikini for that beach trip next month that's great but if I am starting to believe that if it isn't a real motivator for YOU those urges to go to the gym or to work out only last as long as there is that motivation.
The best motivation for me has been that kick of adrenaline you feel after you have worked out and although you are tired you feel so much better... about yourself. Not only do you have to go to the gym, go for a run or walk or eat better but you have to do it in small steps and the key is to do it consistently. Working out for 5 hours on one day every week will get you no where but if you were out for 30-45 minutes every other day for 2 weeks you will see better results. It's all about frequency and consistency vs volume and intensity.
Of course, as you begin to peak at your performance and training levels, the intensities and durations have to be increased accordingly. That's when you need the physiologist's help! Nonetheless, in terms of recreational athletes, if you can link up with the adrenaline rush after you play a sport or work out and realize that what you are doing makes YOU feel good... that is what is important.
I believe there is a "wrong" reason for being active and that's when you do it for someone else or do it to please other people. We get the idea that those who win medals, who say they are in the top 10 in the city for triathlon or compete in the olympics are just ordinary people with day jobs and what not. The truth is that they are not. These people are special breed of people that are able to get to that level because of their love of what they do, how they feel when they are doing it and the support of family and friends around them.
The number of hours spent training, resting and eating properly all amounts to their success. Sure, some people are born with it easier than others but if you really think about it these people are the people outside running when the weather is crappy, only having one beer on Christmas night because they still have to run the next day and people that have had to put off school, turn down jobs and give up on relationships to move or commit to their sport.
It truly is like being in a relationship - with your sport. I'm not saying that I am even one of these people because as a team, we are not even at that Olympic level, though we are doing our best to simulate getting their with the resources that we have. For that, I am grateful and happy to keep working at it.
Being an athlete at this level is very difficult. More than the glory of being able to say you represent Canada, we just go out and play the sport we love. That adrenaline after a game? It's not because we won or because we wearing a Canadian outfit necessarily. That adrenaline rush, for me, is walking off the field knowing there are a 1000 more things I want to improve on and get right. Athletes are like perfectionists. Even when you are the #1 swimmer in the world - you can always better yourself. That makes them keep going and that makes them the best in the world.
If you find yourself picking up a new sport or a new hobby be it - running, soccer, cycling, triathlon, snowboarding... realize why you are doing it. Is it so you are looking cool ? Is it something you have spent lots of money on so you can look good doing it? Is it only because your friend is doing it?
My advice is that it doesn't matter how fancy of running shoes you have, how flashy the bike helmet or how new the snowboard is ... remember why you are doing what you are doing and put the work in. Some of the best athletes showcased themselves not on the best equipment but in their abilities and work ethic. From there, the equipment will help improve you. If you are a great runner, you are a great runner. If you put the time in, you will get there. The equipment, clothing and accessories are just that - accessories. It's YOU that gets the job done, so do it for you. Do it to be healthy and active. Do it to have an active and healthy lifestyle. Do it because you love the challenge of competition and getting better. Remember that adrenaline rush you should feel afterward.
Running, biking, soccer, whatever activity - it becomes a lifestyle. Sync it with your life don't change your life to be someone you aren't. Let that adrenaline rush take you to new limits. You'll be thankful.
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