With Twin Cities Marathon weekend upon us, I thought I would take a moment to reflect on a topic that is I think is often glossed over or misunderstood: Enjoyment in racing. Often, my last words to an athlete as they head off to the starting line include some type of a reminder to enjoy the day.
Some people may find this surprising, given that these are professional athletes, and the stakes of their performance are indeed higher than the typical race participant. Doesn’t enjoyment suggest ease, or not getting out of your comfort zone? And what does enjoyment have to do with running fast? Shouldn’t I be delivering a battle speech in Hollywood fashion, about dominating the competition, telling them to be the toughest, grittiest racer out there?
The truth is, in those pre-race moments, athletes rarely need someone to psych them up. If you are struggling to find meaning or motivation for the race, then perhaps a fiery speech will help temporarily shift you into that mindset. However, in a distance race, that external motivation is fleeting and tends to make itself scarce when the truly challenging moments of the race arrive. Joyfulness from within, on the other hand, is a renewable resource, one that can sustain itself through nearly every challenge.
LIke most great things in life, however, it doesn’t come easy. Finding enjoyment in challenging moments is a practice. In workouts, the first reps or miles tend to be relatively easy and comfortable, but the real purpose, both physically and mentally, is to get to and embrace those final, more difficult moments of the workout, where we practice hitting our pace despite the fatigue, and we practice enjoying the process of working through the challenge. In those moments, rather than saying, “I wish this was over,” we embrace the moment, knowing that this is what we came to do on that day.
Whether you are new to racing, a recreational, competitive, or professional runner, focusing on enjoyment on race day can keep you in the moment of the race, controlling the elements within your control, and finding meaning and purpose in the challenges that you face along the way. Whether you are racing this weekend, or are pushing yourself in a workout or some other meaningful pursuit in your life, remember: It’s not supposed to be easy, but it is supposed to be enjoyable.
Chris Lundstrom is the head coach of Minnesota Distance Elite – formerly Team USA Minnesota – which includes some of the top distance runners in the USA, including Annie Frisbie and Dakota Lindwurm.
