Gabriela Andersen ( Los Angeles Olympic Games 1984), Sian Welch and Wendy Ingraham (Ironman Hawaii009), and just a few days ago, brothers Alistair and Jonathan Bromwlee at the Triathlon World Cup.
What do all these athletes have in common? They are all protagonists of agonizing finishes, crossing the finish line on all fours, disjointed, with all physical reserves exhausted, cramps, dehydration, blank stares....
Every time the television channels show us images of this kind, there are comments praising and praising the behavior of these athletes; they are a symbol of effort, sacrifice, and the ability to go beyond limits. Both the comments of the journalists who broadcast these images, as well as the comments of running fans, glorify these athletes and their attitude.
On the medical aspect and the health repercussions of continuing the race in this state, there are already many opinions issued, and I will not go into that area. Each one must decide if this runner should retire or should be retired, or on the contrary, continuing the race is a sign of courage.
Where I do want to go deeper, in that generalized idea that athletes who finish a race in that state are something like the quintessence of sportsmanship. And above all, the idea that willpower is the most important thing and what allows us to get where we want. Everything else is secondary.
Why do these images of extreme agony, of seeing these runners exhausted, dehydrated, so much liked?
Why do they represent for many the quintessence of sportsmanship and running? Let's start from the premise that we don't like to see others suffer. We see these images and we usually feel anguish when we see these runners suffering. Then they cross the finish line, or even if they don't cross the finish line, and they become the standard bearers of sportsmanship.
I believe that what attracts us to these images is the triumph, the superiority of the mind, of the will over the body. Physically, these runners are not in a position to continue running.
Indeed, they would have to be on a stretcher attended to by doctors. But it is their willpower that keeps them going, that keeps them moving forward even if they stagger and zigzag. The body is broken but their spirit remains firm. It doesn't matter that my body is unresponsive, that it is exhausted; I want to keep going and even if it is cramped, my body will make it to the finish line, no matter what.
That's true; the mind can drive us to do incredible things, to push us beyond our limits.
But beware; that idea taken to the extreme makes us believe that the only important thing is to have the will. That phrase so often heard of "if you want something very strongly, you will achieve it", or that other one of "you can achieve anything you set your mind to". Yes, but no. Or to put it another way; yes, willpower is important, but well understood.
To achieve everything you want, you simply have to propose it, it does not mean that it is enough to propose things or to desire them very intensely to achieve them. What it means is that if you want something with all your strength, and you are willing to make all the sacrifices, efforts and dedication that are needed, then you will achieve it. The equation is very simple: Yes, I want something with a lot of strength + yes, I am willing to do everything necessary to achieve it = I achieve my goal.
Good; that's a very good start. But more importantly, are you willing to get up early, train hard, take care of your diet, and dedicate your scarce libre time to running? If so, you will be doing everything in your power to reach your goal.
You need to be very clear about one thing; you need to want it to get it, but desire alone will not get you there.
Sometimes I've heard runners comment that in certain races, the encouragement of the cheering crowd makes you vaya the air, almost effortlessly. Or that the adrenaline of the competition will give us a plus of energy and we will make better times.
If we haven't trained, no matter how much people cheer us on, we won't run a good race. And that adrenaline of the competition can play a trick on us by making us run at a faster pace than we had prepared for, which causes us to fall apart. Apart from the fact that for many runners, the tension of the competition decreases their performance.
Therefore, we must not deceive ourselves; we must work the will and also the body. As I often say; mental work, coaching will help you to overcome your limits, to give you willpower, to have constancy, to achieve your goal. But you have to do the long runs, the fartlek, the hill exercises, abs, running technique, etc, etc..... Put the two together; train and work your mind and body hard and you're sure to succeed.
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