MOVE your way to success (Jason Womack)

Although I wrote this about "physical" training, I re-read it and I think it applies to anything. If you have a goal out there, whether it's personal or work related, consider a MOVE to success...

We have all experienced training sessions where we are relaxed, focused, and inspired. Maybe you were on a long weekend run. Perhaps you were reading an article about someone else's "PR." Did you notice time disappear? When this happens, we're in what sports psychologists refer to as "the Zone." For some of us, though, finding our zone is more of an accident than the norm.

There are certain things people do to prepare themselves mentally as well as physically for finding their own rhythm. Now, instead of only noticing when you're OUT of your zone, you can make some moves to make it easier to succeed.

Consider an athletic or personal goal that you have NOT made progress on. Looking around, have you noticed other people being, doing or having what you wish to experience? Here are 5 things you could do this season to assist you in reaching your goals:

1) Move resource/reference articles from magazines to a General Reference file
Rip out articles and photocopy the pages from training manuals and store them where you can retrieve them! Throughout the training and racing seasons, review your "library" for new ideas or workouts.

2) Move ideal scenes from mind to paper
Write down your goals, visions, ideals for the upcoming running season. Consider making an "ideal scene collage" combining pictures and words so you can begin to "see" what your season would look like!

3) Move the route you take
Sometime, simply changing a workout route, or time, can teach us something new. Try going to a different gym, or even changing the time you work out, for variety and a change of "pace."

4) Move your body in a new way
Consider "cross training" as a way to mix up your training schedule. Many local clubs and gyms are including many different mind/body workouts that encourage athletes to focus on breathing, focusing, and stretching...all extremely beneficial to the flexible runner.

5) Move your information streams
Are there monthly publications or books that other athletes are reading that you could benefit from? Consider a trip to the bookstore to review several different magazines and consider subscribing to one on a one-year trial basis.