The 2012 Olympics have officially begun. The upcoming days will be filled with stories of inspiration, triumph, heart-breaking loss, sheer madness, when a hundredth of a tick on the stopwatch is all that matters. Then of course everything else in between.
No doubt, for anyone tuning into the Olympics it’s incredibly easy to get swept away in that sheer madness. It’s astounding how every four years you’ll see people who have barely ever busted a sweat in their lives tuning-in, enraptured in the competition like they’re hyping themselves up for a 20-miler the next day. 😉
As athletes though we really get into it. It’s sort of like when they light that torch they also light a fire under our butts to get after it on our own runs. It’s like an insta-boost of motivation and enthusiasm to the heart, no? You watch those runners lining up, the crack of the gun, and your quads starting itching to hit the track for your workout the next day.
Pause for a minute. Take the Tivo, DVR, or whatever and hit pause. Stare at the screen, whatever it is that REALLY gets you hyped, your own booster shot of adrenaline to the heart, and bookmark it in your brain. Because you know what, the Olympics will inevitably end, and the burning desire to burn up the track will start to wane just a bit…you’ll slip back into training and you’ll hit those moments where you’re feeling blah.
I’m not being a kill-joy here, just a realist. The point is the torch fire under your butt is riding epic proportions, it should be…those athletes out there should act as inspiration and awe to us all. They’re the ‘real deal’ out there.
But they’re human, and training is NOT easy and everyone has points where you’ve got to force it. Tough moments could be injuries, horrible races, workouts you’re really not looking forward to, and runs where pushing out the door is an effort. But when those athletes had those stretches they remembered that torch burning in their butt and got it done. Day in, day out. Consistently.
Your butt-torch can burn, lead you to your own goals, whatever they are…you just have to remember that on the days, or even weeks or months, that the fire starts to dim, think back to that Tivo/DVR moment and light your tush on fire. Stoke the flames and get ‘er done. 🙂
Enjoy the Olympics, yo.
1) What event are you most looking forward to in the Olympics?
Distance races…any and all. But of particular interest is the Women’s Marathon…go Kara and Shalane! 🙂
2) Which sports outside of running, or athletics, are you excited about seeing?
3) What is your Tivo/DVR butt-torch moment?? 😉
my favorite Cait quote “light your tush on fire”!!! I’m going to tell myself that if I start slowing down during my long run tomorrow 🙂 You’re my DVR moment!! I’m looking forward to the Women’s Marathon and also the diving – I love watching diving!
hahaha…have to say i’m kinda proud of that one! 😉
Oh, I am so excited too Cait 🙂 For the running of course, and also the gymnastics. We get lots of coverage of swimming too so that’s enjoyable as an aside. I will definitely keep my eye out for my ‘inspiration moment’ – you’re right in that sometimes the excitement and motivation wears off quickly after the games are done!
ahh, the gynmastics i’ve loved since i was little and WISHED i could do some of those crazy cool moves! 🙂
Gotta love a bit o’ butt-torch action. Wow.
This will be the first year I’ve loved the distance races, so definitely looking forward to those! And the gymnastics. I’m always intrigued by something that I just can’t do with my own body.
A couple of days ago I watched the clip of Paula Radcliffe winning the London Marathon (the first time). That is something that will stick with me whenever my runs get hard.
oh man…it’s ur first year into the running mayhem, i’m so glad i get to be a part! 🙂
I will be watching plenty Olympics in the upcoming days for sure. I am excited about bike races, swimming, running, snd my gals are excited about the gymnastics. But all the events are worth watching for a bit. I am hoping not too get emotionally involved but it is only the 1st day and I was up and down during the biking.
Enjoy your weekend.
i think every little girl is captivated by those gymnasts! 🙂
Love this! I love gymnastics! 🙂 Cait, I really love this concept because like you say it can be used with anything. Ugh, even relationships. It’s exciting at the beginning, but you will reach a place of comfort and it’s at that time that it will take a little bit (or a lot) of extra work. I want to be fast overnight, but I know that building my strength and sticking with it will only do that for me. You’re awesome as always!
great parallel…and yes, getting faster WILL happen, but it takes time. the really AWESOME thing though is that when u’re still newer to the sport u DO see a lot of improvement quicker…so keep at it and trust me u’ll be celebrating those PR’s my dear…it’ll be some hard, steady work, but i KNOW u’re capable. 🙂
I love the olympics! I want to see the marathon event and the triathlon.
And I also can’t wait to see the swimming events.
I personally really enjoy watching the athlete’s faces during the competiton and after, especially if they”ve won.
oh, those finishing shots can be priceless!!
I love the Olympics and every time I watch I think “I want to be an Olympian!!” But then I forget about all the training.
Thanks for the reminder to press pause and really look. I’ve got my butt-torch going thanks to you!
haha…oh, the great divide between the ‘wants’ and the ‘do’s’. 😉
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