A
third component of Mental Toughness [3]
pertain to Success Experiences as they relate to Achievement Goals. Success
experiences assist in defining our achievement goals in that they affect our
level of aspiration. This means that it is extremely important for the individual to have realistic
achievement goals. So, I did not start out having an achievement goal of
running 100 trail miles in one day. In fact, I hadn’t thought of that
particular goal until after four years or so of running in ride and tie events.
A ride and tie event was a combination of a
trail and equestrian competition and comprised of two runners and a horse or
the team. This particular competition took place on trails in the mountains,
generally around 25 or so miles in length. The race would start with one rider,
obviously on the horse along with a runner. The horse and rider, at the start
of the race, would easily get out in front of his partner; and at a
predetermined distance, dismount and tie the reins or lead rope to a tree limb.
Then that rider immediately became the runner and headed down the trail. The
initial runner would eventually reach the tied animal and untie it, mount it,
and be off going in the direction of that runner ahead. Upon catching up to the
runner, the rider might switch with his partner, or ride on ahead and then tie the
horse. This hopscotch process, so to speak, would continue until all three
[horse, rider and human partner] cross the finish line at the same time [there
could be only one rider at a time on the horse].
My serious running took place in those
events so I got an idea about the toughness of serious trail running. In order
to compete in ride and tie, I began trail conditioning runs. I even entered an
official half marathon [13.1 miles] race and worked my way up to running a full
practice marathon distance [26.2 miles]. Then, I entered an official 50 K [31
miles] before running an official marathon.
So I had 4 years of running on the trail
that included running a distance of 31 miles, which was my longest run in
distance and time. Then, I heard about an opportunity to run a one day 100 mile
event called the Western States 100. In order to compete in that event, I had
to run a 50 mile trail qualifying event in 10 hours [I was in the 60 year age
group]. Prior to running that particular qualifier, I was successful at running
in ride and tie and trail running events. In my mind at the time, I
rationalized that I had already run 31 miles, and only had to run 19 miles more
to attain 50 miles. As it turned out, I was successful and qualified for the
Western States 100 mile endurance.
Having all those success experiences in
dealing with miles, trail conditions, eating and hydrating properly, with the
right gear allowed me to enter the race [a draw of the lottery picked my
number]. Statistically, about 50% of the runners complete that particular run.
So my success rate of completion was about 50%. The stars were aligned and I
was one of the fortunate 50% completers. Success, for me, led to more success
with realistic trail running achievement goals. It’s clear that I didn’t start
out thinking I was able to run 100 miles before my first ride and tie
competition.
More to follow
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