Setting Standards

Sunday, January 29, 2017 · Mike Davis

Good morning!

Winter is back! After a stretch of 60 to 70 degree temps, the chill has returned to remind me that winter has some bite left. Yesterday I ran in shorts and just a long sleeve shirt and that was fine as long as I was running, however, when we did a cooldown walk, I could not believe how cold I got! Being not that far removed from Northeast winters, I can’t believe I get as cold as I do, when it gets down into the 40s.

Yesterday’s run was a struggle, as I felt less than my best, but the fact that I ran it with Kathy made it much better than it could have been. Both of us had our faces in study material all day and it was a much-needed break from cue cards and diagrams. That run topped off a good week for the old coach, as I got in 3 runs and 2 strength training workouts, which were my goals at the outset of week. Depending on whether you consider last Sundays run part of my week or the end of the previous week, it may have been a really good week. We ran around the Reservoir and that is one of the best places to run around here. Not much in way of sidewalks or shoulders, so finding trails to run on is great. Kathy continues to slowly work her way back from me crunching her foot with a golf cart all the way back in June. No doubt the effects of my bad choice have frustrated her, but she hasn’t given up and I know she will get back to full-strength in time. Her running continues to get better and that is encouraging.

My Standard

The 3/2 (3 runs and 2 strength training workouts), will be something you hear me mention a lot more in the future. 3/2 is a standard that I am setting for myself for my weekly working out. Having a standard is different than having a goal, because a standard is a habit line that becomes a norm, whereas as goals are ever changing. Creating a habit (standard), is not easy, as it takes a lot of discipline and forced redundancy. Where it is much easier to create bad habits, because those play into my laziness and immediate gratification. As I have chatted about over the past few weeks, I am changing my eating habits some and that has not been easy. I am eating better at times, but I am still consuming more sweets than I should be and my overall portion sizes are too large. Again, the standard requires me to be more disciplined and in some areas, that is not easy. How can I get there?

Too make something a habit, we need to have 3 things:

1. Trigger- Something that reminds us of our habit (Putting our running shoes by the door)
2. Action- Completing the habit
3. Reward- A positive moment after completion

For me, having my training plan each week, is the trigger for reminding me as well as the 3/2 ingrained into my mindset. Completing the action may take some effort at times, so I might have to allow myself the option of reducing a given workout, to get me started. I think I may have mentioned the other day, the idea of visualizing the feeling of completing a workout as a motivation tool as well. Finally, the reward can come in many ways, but for me, it is the great feeling I have when I do my last post-stretch.

Last year I got myself into a mindset that accepted my standards and even felt that at my age, I should be happy with them. Upon some reflection, I determined that I needed to address my standards and then challenge them. I have been pleased that I have maintained a running life for many years now and sprinkled in fairly regular strength training. Now I want to create habits (standards) that will insure a healthy and consistent routine. Whether it be my faith, diet or working out, I want to continuously challenge and improve myself. Kathy shared the first of a 4-part series by pastor Andy Stanley entitled: “What do you want?” While this series is a sermon of sorts, it really is awesome for anyone. The idea is understanding what we value and how it most likely does not align with what we want. For me, I am better understanding that I value growth as a person and to get there, I need to align my standards better with what I value.

Pretty deep there, I know. No Finish Line Running was founded on running being more than PR’s and finish lines and our goal is to help running become an enjoyable lifetime activity. Developing healthy standards is the best way to keep those feet moving!

Time to get myself ready for church! Have a great Sunday and a super week. Thanks for having coffee with me!

God Bless!

Mike