WEBSITE WEDNESDAY: BE AN ATHLETE

THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL looking across the Tidal Basin, Washington DC. Taken by PKSenagore October 19, 2016. All rights reserved

THE ‘ABOUT’ PAGE EXPLAINS: EARNED RUNS...“…Is a company that enables runners and walkers, alone or in small groups, to train and compete in affordable, personal events by providing FREE PROFESSIONAL RACE BIBS and online RESOURCES. In addition, Earned Runs promotes personal challenges that improve overall physical fitness.

Earned Runs bibs can be used as a means to self-motivate, track progress toward fitness goals, and record achievements. We encourage competitors to train wisely and safely, and to be charitable and earth-friendly.”
 
The remainder of the page tells the Earned Runs CREATION STORY and includes the MISSION STATEMENT. There’s a quote from Sir Roger Bannister, the physician who ran the world’s first sub-four-minute mile:

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves…The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, ‘You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.’
The human spirit is indomitable."
 
Do you think of yourself as an athlete, like Bannister? Would you like to? Are you the only person in your family or group of friends that seems to possess a SIMILAR “craving for freedom”? Do you keep secret the dream to “run faster than this, or jump higher than that”? To train consistently with purpose, to take on a challenge and commit to a program of preparation? To elevate your exercise or sport performance to a higher level, such that you can answer, “YES! I AM AN ATHLETE”?
 
Earned Runs wants to help you get there.  First, understand first that you are not alone; there are others who quietly wish to be inspired, to be motivated, to push beyond their current limits. 
 
Second, know that regardless of your physical abilities and experience, you can improve at least one aspect of fitness with concentrated effort. 
 
Third, accept that a regular routine of running, walking, or working out, just to ‘get exercise, without a target performance toward which to aim and a plan to reach it, will not move you toward “better”. 
 
Fabled UCLA basketball coach John Wooden said, “Never mistake activity for achievement”. Just doing ‘something’ over a period of months or years is not likely to generate the thrill of victory that many yearn to experience. Wooden was a victory expert; his teams at the Westwood Village university campus achieved 10 NCAA National Championships in 12 years!
 
How does one begin to become an athlete?  Requesting Earned Runs bibs could work for some. When you have one in your hands, turn it over and write a brief statement that roughly describes a goal or challenge on the back side. Put the blank front side up where it can be seen or touched every day: on a refrigerator, inside cupboard door, bulletin board, or mirror. You might place it in a book or calendar you access frequently. Fold it into a jacket pocket or purse.
 
Mentally refine, edit, and adjust that goal until satisfied it reflects your athletic dreams, and then re-write the statement. Search the internet for ideas and resources to determine how to accomplish it; the Earned Runs website is one place to start.
 
When you have identified a specific event in which to participate or challenge to meet, write it on the front of the bib, with the date of expected competition or completion.  Consider it a contract.
 
The next task is to find a training program/plan and adapt it to your needs. Information on the CHECKLIST page might be helpful in this task. Jot down the daily schedule into a log book or make a paper copy to use; be sure every day has an entry, including “rest” when there’s no required physical workout.
 
You’ll be on your way at this point.  Start the plan and check off each completed workout.
 
To paraphrase the old saying about insanity (which doesn’t make sense), stagnation and frustration are created by “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Stop that.
 
RUN HAPPY!
 
NOTE: If you become stuck in the process, post a question through the CONTACT page to get help navigating the Earned Runs website for information. Look at the HOME and RESOURCES /WALKER RESOURCES pages for ideas as well

Examples of rough goals that dont' involve running an organized race 5K or longer:
* Run a personal one mile race on a track.
* Gain upper body strength to stow a carry-on in an overhead bin, without help
* Condition in preparation for a best ball golf tournament, to hit the longest drive.
* Backpack and hike a long trail on a camping vacation.
* Gain balance and strength to paddle board standing up.
* Attain an athletic, youthful posture 
* Decrease my waist-to-hip circumference ratio


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Memorial

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bannister

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden