» Feeling Better About Yourself as an Athlete

10.    Support Your Local Community
Especially with the economy being what it is, it’s important to support local, independently owned sporting stores catering to endurance athletes.  They tend to carry better quality products and have the best experience and know-how to fit you with the best apparel and equipment to meet your needs.  Aside from being a great resource, they tend to operate and support community races, meaning you hopefully have less drive time to find a great event nearby.

9.    Support a Cause
It could be as simple as running in a race for a particular cause or actually using your athleticism to fundraise for charity.  There’s a good feeling knowing you’ve helped someone else while doing what you love.  Many of the greatest athletes race for a reason and their passion for their cause is contagious.

8.    Encourage Young Athletes
Whether you‘re young or young at heart, physical activity should be a part of everyone’s life.  The obesity epidemic facing our nation’s youth is alarming and growing (literally).   As athletes, it’s important to support children’s athletics, promoting healthy competition which emphasizes the benefits of health, fairness, and the lessons learned by both winning and losing.  Even as something simple as cheering the kids as they cross the finish at the little tike mile, or whatever name the child portion of an event is called, can go a long way.  To go even further, it’s great to see race directors providing safe and fun events for the kids alongside the adult events.

7.    Show Respect For The Environment
Lately, there’s been a great push to go green.  Being environmentally conscious is good for everyone.  It ensures the continuation of resources and preservation of life for future generations.  It eliminates clutter which is unsightly (and also makes parks and communities think twice about staging endurance events in the future.)  Lastly, it can be cost effective.  I know many races where the goodie bags (not the goodies) have been eliminated, and, frankly, that’s one less thing to collect from my car when it’s all said and done.

6.    Be a Role Model
There’s nothing like having the kids hand you a drink, give you a high five, or just yell out as you run by.  In return, you’re leaving a positive and lasting impression of someone older who still takes care of their body and remembers how to play.  What’s important is to show good sportsmanship before, during, and after a race.  You never know who is watching.

5.    Take a Holistic, Balanced Approach to Your Health
It’s a no brainer to say that diet, rest, and overall maintenance of your body, in addition to proper training, will produce the best results.  The reverse is also true, if you don’t eat or sleeping properly, neglect signs of injury or illness, or burn the candle at both ends, something is going to give.  There’s a misnomer that athletes are as concerned about their diet and overall health as they are about getting in their miles.  Some athletes are highly disciplined in all aspects of their lives, almost to an obsessive extreme.  Other athletes put so much energy into training, that they are too spent to look at the bigger picture.

4.    Keep a Healthy  Perspective
There was a humorous discussion about dating a triathlete.  They may look good, but be prepared for the countless hours of training, weekend competitions, and expenses associated with equipment and entry fees.  The debate which ensued argued which had priority, the bike or the boy (girl) friend.  My wife was amused, but reminded me I wouldn’t be as comfortable taking my bike to bed.   One of the greatest struggles is balancing training and competition with career, family, friends, and other commitments.  Especially for the longer endurance events, the preparation can be consuming and exhausting.   Often it is not only the athlete who sacrifices for the love of the sport.  By showing appreciation for the all the support of family and friends and showing consideration for their needs, you’re more likely to have someone to cheer for you at the finish line.

3.    Be Encouraging of Other Athletes (especially if their just starting out.)
As for adult competitions, there seems to be a constant debate about time limits and restrictions for those who may not be in the best of shape for the more rigorous endurance events.   My position on this issue is conflicted.  On one hand, everyone has to start somewhere.  I’m just not certain the front pack of elite runners during a major marathon is the place.  After all, those pace signs are there for a reason.  Also, it matters less  if someone spent more time picking  out their apparel at the fitness store than outside training, except for the issue of safety.   Regardless of where someone places, the important thing is that they’ve trained properly and have an understanding of the rules and courtesies associated with the sport.  Even from a narcissistic position, the more people bubbling below you in your age bracket, the better, as long as they do not jeopardize their own wellbeing or put anyone else at risk.

2.    Understand Not Everyone Will Understand
I attended an addiction conference when it was suggested that “those people” who bike or run for miles at a time are avoiding or escaping their lives.  I initially took offense to the oversimplified stereotypes that athletes are uncomfortable in their relationships or even living in their own skin.  Often I hear, “that’s crazy” or “your nuts,” especially when people look at the conditions in which I train.  Now, I understand my sanity can be legitimately questioned at times, but not when it comes to this. I find most people either get it or they don’t. I find it’s not worth arguing with people who make comments about killing your knees, getting too thin, or regretting all the time you spent on your sport.   It’s very inspiring to look out at all the spectators, volunteers, families, and other supporters during an event.  It’s important to focus on the cheers and exercise tolerance toward those who, for whatever reason, don’t have something positive to say about your active lifestyle.

1.      Create Balance and Do Your Best In Everything
Whether it’s your family, career, or anything in life, it’s important to apply the same discipline, passion, and perseverance found in athletics.  Your active lifestyle should not solely define you, but compliment and enhance who you are as a human being.  With every encounter and story I read, I’m constantly reminded of the philanthropy, spirituality, creativity, and intelligence surrounding our multifaceted community of endurance athletes.  Most truly successful athletes lead rewarding lives both in and out of their respective sport.  It was Freud who defined mental health in terms of how well someone was able to love and work.  His daughter, Anna, later added the ability to play as part of the equation.  Finding joy, satisfaction, and a sense of purpose in our connections, achievements and contributions will leave us feeling our best at the end of the day.

Written by Ted Varkas