Motivations

Since my last post, I’ve been running strong with the exception of 1/11 – 1/15.  The plantar fasciitis in my left foot had been acting up again so I saw my podiatrist to get a cortisone injection.   I had to take off for that week to let the injection settle in and let some of the swelling go down.  A cortisone injection is possibly not the best thing in the world, but it takes the pain away and allows me to run.  If only I would stretch and ice my foot, perhaps the condition would go away.

Unfortunately, Beast Jr has been sick over these past few weeks.  He has come down with a general malaise and is nauseous and with a headache all of the time.  So there has been no running together with him.  So far the doctors are befuddled.  He goes for a second blood test today to rule out more illnesses.  It is weighing on my mind and I wish he would get better.  I want my blossoming running partner back.

Recently, I’ve been talking to someone about our motivations that keep us working out.  One of these motivations is anger, the need to work out the frustration caused by third parties or outside influences.  This motivation has been used through the ages.  I remember as a kid the coaches telling us to vision an older sibling, a parent, teacher or anyone else that we are mad at.  This definitely works and can help us achieve a higher level of fitness and skill than ordinary desire alone.  However, I don’t think it can sustain you long term; although the short term can actually be quite a few years.  Eventually anger burns you out and you need to find some other sort of motivation.  Like a fire though, anger can always come back, igniting once again to get you working out with vigor.

Lately, I’ve been motivated to work out from several factors.  The first and possibly most important is that it is feeling good again (except of course for the plantar fasciitis which feels awful).  Another is a small undercurrent of anger I have in regards to the situation that I find myself in (however, that is off topic and will not be discussed here) and third is a new found support from quarters that I had not expected to receive.  The combination is making me feel good again and desirous to go out and put in the miles.  I guess it is a healthy combination of all three factors that one really needs to keep a person going.  Hopefully this will last for me throughout the year.