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2013-03-05 9:55 AM

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Subject: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...

I love Running Times.  I just finished this wonderful article

http://www.runnersworld.com/race-training/elite-state-mind?page=single

I can't help but share it.  I am taking a break from training, now going on 2 weeks, and I am looking back on what I have done the past 2-3 years through a different lens.  I realize that I had tended to take many aspects of my training too seriously.  There is a sentence in the article, "With nothing on the line, what motivates us to run if not our egos."  He goes on to say "That ego allows us to think we're more serious than those who finish behind us, it equates speed with self worth".  I have suffered from this quite severely, I recognized it a bit in the last number of months but did not realize the full extent until I was forced to take this break.

I suppose nothing like pulling up lame to help teach you some humility.



2013-03-05 10:19 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
Ego is probably a big part of what makes most of us do this thing we do. I try to remind myself frequently, however, that I'm blessed just to be able to move all four limbs at will and feel good doing it. There are many people who would love to just live without pain or live independently. Humility is a good thing.
2013-03-05 10:29 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
great article, thanks for sharing
2013-03-05 10:45 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
Excellent.
2013-03-05 10:51 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
Great article.  I always try to remind myself to make sure I am having fun and enjoying the races I do.  I can't count how many times I have finished a race and then turned around to do the race backward to find some friends and finish the race with them....I learned it when someone did that for me and how good it made me feel when they encouraged me and coached me that last little bit of the race so now I do what I can to pay it forward.
2013-03-05 11:06 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
That was fantastic, thanks for the share


2013-03-05 11:25 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...

dacuna01 - 2013-03-05 10:19 AM Ego is probably a big part of what makes most of us do this thing we do. I try to remind myself frequently, however, that I'm blessed just to be able to move all four limbs at will and feel good doing it. There are many people who would love to just live without pain or live independently. Humility is a good thing.

I absolutely agree. I believe there's a fine line to draw with our attitudes though. Its fine to have an ego as long as it doesn't impose standards other people. I feel that most elite athletes have a personal ego that will say "I WILL be the top of the competitive field. I WILL be top notch. I WILL be faster than I am right now. I am confident in my ability." However the distinction between them and the "age grouper" mentality that is being referenced is that there is no seclusion between them and other athletes. There is a love for the sport, for athletics, and the athletes that fill the sport that is the essence of them and that translates to having a loving and encouraging attitude towards the people around them.

2013-03-05 11:27 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...

Any ego I had driving me left me in my first duathlon ever when I got "ghosted" by both the Welsch girls on the final run.

I got into this game for my own health and improvement.  The only person I'm racing against is me, and OK my training buddy.  But long gone are the aspirations of eviscerating the field with my blazing speed.

Just fun, health, and a challenge

2013-03-05 12:18 PM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
great article!
2013-03-05 9:46 PM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
great read.. thanks!
2013-03-06 9:28 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
Great article: thanks for sharing.  Race yourself or race the clock, if you must.  The first tri I did, I caught and passed a younger guy on the run and felt that little burst of ego.  As I went by him he yelled after me to keep it up and finish strong.  I felt so moved by that simple statement that in every race I make sure that I encourage and support the leaders and the strugglers, whether they acknowledge the words or not.


2013-03-06 8:36 PM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
Thanks for posting the article Darren.  That is absolutely incredible.  I will now aspire to be more like a Kenyan - in my attitude.  Amazing!
2013-03-08 4:00 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...

I've never scoffed at slower racers and I have never been jealous (too much) of faster racers.  I have been known to pick random faster people to "beat," but that was more for motivation than anything else.
I have never been 100% comfortable with my triathlon performance.  For me, my issue has never been acceptance of slower or faster racers; it has always been a personal feeling of simply not being accepted.  I swim really badly and really slow; I use a road bike with clip on aero bars, mountain bike pedals and shoes and saddle, and tires intended for commuting vice racing; and I often walk the run leg nearly as much as I run the run leg.  No one has ever walked up to me pre- or post-race to chat it up, and I don't really do the same due to not feeling as though anyone would want me to do so. 
This article is enlightening, though.  It says to me that, perhaps, I will become a "faster" triathlete if I just relax, run my own race, and be accepting of the fact that I am a triathlete regardless of my times or what equipment I can afford to use.

 

Thanks for the share!

2013-03-08 6:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...

Awesome article. 

As an elementary school teacher and coach, I've seen a lot of kids come through the ranks.  Here are some things I've noticed.

1. A high percentage of naturally talented athletes have significant social problems.  I think being held on a pedestal and constantly having high expectations placed on you is detrimental to becoming a well rounded person.

2. The kids that go on to greater athletic achievements are those who develop humility and cooperation skills.  Even in individual sports, kids that don't develop these skills tend not to be teachable or listen to coaches.

3. The kids that go on to greater athletic achievements enjoy the sport, not just the winning part of it.  I mean, they really like it.

2013-03-08 7:05 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...
Thanks for posting the article
2013-03-08 9:28 AM
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Subject: RE: Article: An Elite State of Mind: Learning Humility...

Best quote I ever heard and I have drilled into my son

"There's not a lot of traffic on the road of humility"



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