There
are many things in life that motivate us: fear, self-improvement, nature,
family and sometimes we find motivation in odd places, such as a mix reviewed
Ben Stiller movie, “The Secret Life of
Walter Mitty”. The premise of the movie is based on a day-dreamer who
escapes into his own world to break out of his mundane existence until the day
comes when his real life adventures surpasses any and all of his expectations.
Along the way he learns some valuable lessons that I think can carry over in
the Ultra running world, and for me has lead to some additional motivation
lately.
The Ultra Running lessons (without giving any of the movie away) can be broken down into these
four thoughts:
- Jump
- Stay in it
- Look inside
- The quintessence of life
Jump
Most
Ultra Runners progress along from a life-time of running, kicking things off
with the mile in middle school and progressing upwards in distance as their age
and experience increase. Other runners would never even consider stepping up to
the “Ultra” distance because of the pure fear and unknown that the distance
presents. All runners regardless of experience reach that point when stepping
up to the next level is all they have. Take it from Walter, when the
opportunity comes you have to jump. Don’t think twice, don’t second guess your
abilities. The fact that your heart is pulling you towards the distance is
enough to push you through the event. JUMP!
Stay
in it
When
race day finally comes, enjoy it. There are a million things that will go wrong
during the race, except them as part of the journey. It is very easy to forget
what brought you to this point. How many miles you’ve run up to this point. How
much time you spent building up your strength and endurance. You earned this
moment, now enjoy it. Don’t let it slip by, it’ll be over before you know it
and you’ll miss it.
Look
inside
If
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times… “Humans are awesome”. When all
the gear has failed and you hit rock bottom dig deep inside yourself and you’ll
be surprised what you can do. How far you can go and how long you can keep
moving. The bottom will drop out and there is nothing but your self to decide
what happens next. Magic potions, energy drinks and Be amazing, you just have to find it in you…
and it is there!
The
quintessence of life
When
the first three thoughts are actualized the quintessence of life is yours for
the taking. It is something different for all of us. Completing a new distance,
running a new PR, staying alive… it doesn’t matter. The best in life is within
all of us. We have the power to be awesome, we have the ability to achieve
greatness, it just takes the human will to drive us to that point! Be the
greatest you that you can be.
This
movie has stuck with me for the past few weeks and I really enjoyed watching it
with my son Jacob because I could see the light coming on inside him as we
watched Walter Mitty struggle to greatness. My kids are in fact my greatest
motivator when the going gets tough but following these simple thoughts are a
great way to stay focused when doubt begins to enter your mind.
I
close this post off with the Life Magazine’s Motto:
To see the
world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find
each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.
