I can do that!!

I'm writing this after two of the annual "big city marathons", London and Boston, where some incredible running was put down out on course by the elite runners, and also by a few runners I know who travelled to Boston...knowing some people there makes the results and performances seem a little closer. The same thing happens when you witness live the best athletes in the world compete - you feel like you're a small part of their performance.

Regardless of how near or far you are from great performances, witnessing or hearing or watching or reading enough about them leaves you with the same feeling, "I can do that!!". The best in the world, or even the best in your neighbourhood, make things look easier than you find it and inspire you to believe that you can achieve a level if not the same, then better than you currently are.

The same thing happens after the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and other big sporting events. The number of people who join their local club are great for participation levels, with surely a good number of them sticking to it and becoming long-term members. It seems to be a win-win for everyone, and over time increases the chance for more sporting champions to emerge and inspire even more people.

It all starts with something as simple as people thinking "I can do that!!".

The only problem I can see with the surge of motivation is for people to bite off more than they can chew, and (literally) run into problems. Sometimes the lesson is quick and simple, like the first lap of the block an unfit person might run!! But sometimes it can take longer and more effort to realise that a progressive approach may have been more prudent, like a person signing up for an Ironman and realising a sprint triathlon might have been a good first step as they wallow around in a sea of fatigue. These are extreme cases of a simplistic scenario.

In many cases, and for someone like me, seeing these great performance from both the elite and my peers gives me confidence to step up my preparation a notch and strive to be like them, and believe that only some carefully planned hard work is all that lies between now and my own great performance. It's the stuff of day dreams and goose bumps to be motivated by the outcome, crossing the line bathed in pride and satisfaction about what you've achieved, and provides the energy to push on through the ups and downs. When your goal become part of you then motivation is never an issue.

So if you ever want for some inspiration in chasing your goal, just look to people around you achieving their own goals and say to yourself, "I can do that!!".