How to Find Discipline in Your Training
Discipline is a huge contributor to your success as an endurance athlete. It often gets confused with motivation, which is fleeting and momentary. People often think that motivation = action, but the reality is action = progress = motivation = action. Motivation is what gets us to sign up for the race. It is a brief moment. Discipline is what gets us to the starting line prepared and ready.
Discipline fuels your workouts, habits, and decisions throughout your training cycle. I find myself getting caught up in the idea of "Who cares if I run xx:xx time in my marathon?" or "Why does this matter to me?" This happens most when I am having a tough week, feeling overwhelmed, or just not seeing the progress I want to see my training. And I'm sure this happens to YOU! As often as I get asked how I stay motivated during these times, the better question is how do I stay disciplined. Here's the things that have helped keep me disciplined and reaching for my goals even during the most exhausting times.
How Bad Do You Want It?
Yes, this is the title of an amazing book by Matt Fitzgerald that every endurance athlete should read to hone in on mental strength, but it's also a question you have to ask yourself. What is your “why?” Something external can motivate you to work hard (money, appearance, a faster time on your record etc.), but how badly you want that end goal is the reason why you wake up each day and fight for what you want. Why you skip drinks out with friends, why you go to bed early to make your morning run happen in your busy schedule, why you study extra hard. You have to place value on the thing you're chasing to keep working hard day in and day out - these are not things that are immediately achievable. How do you do this?
Focus on the Process Over the Results
When you become more process focused, it becomes more about what’s right in front of you (that 30 minute run you don’t really feel like doing, but you know will make you feel better), than the end goal which can seem very far away and something you aren’t close enough to see. For example, if your long-term goal is to run a Boston Qualifier, but are currently 30 minutes away from that time, you won’t feel excited or motivated to run every day with a goal that seems so far off. But, if you set measurable goals that you can focus on along the way - maybe improving your half marathon time - that supports your larger goal, it becomes easier to be invested in the long-term process.
Know That It Will Not Be Linear
What has helped me stick with endurance running is first, recognizing that it will not be linear. There are seasons where I can train hard and dedicate time to a marathon. There are other seasons where a 5K or simply base building are what works for me and my life obligations. Enjoying the process of checking off my run, seeing that I’ve strung weeks of training together that might not have been perfect but were good enough, and knowing that I committed to myself each day and week is enough. Consistency is the bread and butter of any sport. It’s not about being able to give 100% every single day. It’s about showing up every day and giving whatever you have on the day. Maybe that’s 60% one day and 85% the next. Both are better than 0%.
Recognize That It Will Be Boring
Training for something or working toward a goal is most difficult because the road is long and boring. Running 60 miles/week with 80% of your miles at an easy pace could leave you feeling like it's ok to skip that boring 5 mile recovery run because you just don't want to do another boring 5 miles. But the reality is, every run makes you stronger and having the discipline to stick with training even when it's boring and your outside life seems monotonous is hard! Think about where you’re headed. It all adds up.
And It Won't Be Easy
Nothing worth working for is easy. Nothing gets handed to you. It takes hard work. When you go into it knowing that something is going to be hard every single day, you've already conquered half the mental battle by accepting discomfort and difficulty. When you are first getting started, every step will feel challenging. When you’ve conquered building a strong base, the speed workouts will hurt, lifting higher weights will be hard, the long runs will challenge you. Just remember the goal will not be handed to you.
Then Figure Out Your Goal(s)
As mentioned, it helps to have large goals and small goals and being willing and able to adjust those goals to the season of life you’re in. It can be easy to fall off track if your goal is one that will take years to reach, so set small goals along the way and allow yourself to revel in your achievements. For example, my goal has continuously been the marathon distance over the last 3 years, but I've gotten PRs in the 10K and half marathon distance along the way. I appreciate and take pride in those whether I was able to hit my marathon training goal or not. I also focus on small victories in my training. Tackling a really tough long run workout, perfecting my fueling, or hitting a new weekly mileage peak.
Conclusion: Let Us Help You Stay Accountable
It can be challenging to stay disciplined in your training, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our coaching team is here to keep you accountable and help you set realistic, meaningful goals while highlighting your accomplishments along the way. Whether you’re aiming to start running or looking to PR in the marathon, we can guide you every step of the way. Ready to get disciplined and work towards your goals? Sign up for a complimentary consultation call today, and let’s get started!
Coach J
