Motivators and drivers!

Family - I have a wonderful wife and the two greatest sons a person could ever want to live for!

Progress wisely - this is key for me - there is a good way of getting things done and then there's the better way. I've been taught to do it the better way. I focus on my purpose, which leads me to progress wisely.

Know when to say when and feel good with your decision mentally! - this is also in the front because occasionally there can be a sense of guilt that supersedes me, after my body telling me to stop. But it is equally important to handle the feeling of guilt and truly believe that you are doing the right thing.

Teach yourself how to rest...when you need it! For me this was not an easy task. When I have a list or project, its usually go, go, go, until its done. The mind and body both need rest to grow and heal. Rest to advance Darc....

Challenge yourself - set a goal - Death Race...anything else I need to say!

Find yourself, reset your brain, assess your brain - first, I would not know a whole lot about myself if it weren't for the challenges. When I run, I'm constantly assessing my condition, especially as my mind tells me I'm starting to tire. Knowing myself is very important in a physical challenge, because behind every physical challenge is a 80%+ mental challenge. When I assess my physical condition as I run and realize that I've got lots left, it's a quick reset and continue with following the breathing, technique, posture, positive attitude, enjoyment.....and the WHY!

Push yourself, know your body, assess your body - during my runs, I realize that running the flat land is not going to be the same as a mountain, so my last run I threw on a back pack and a new born on my back......well not really a new born (where would I find one of those anyway?) it was about 10 pounds of water and I woke up my pace a bit.

Learn from your mistakes and or injuries - this goes back to reading my body, keep up good technique, give my body what it needs and deserves. Supplements and proteins to heal and rest!

Have purpose in all that you do - this is key in life! Running is health, it is mental release, it is the healing of my soul, it is the racing of blood through my body to heal and refresh! This race is to run for CP, research funding and in particular to run for three little children.

Have a coach/ mentor - my coach and mentor taught me this list and is with me every step of the way!

Make your goal measureable - When I run I use a pedometer, I sometimes use a track that I know the distance of, I use a stopwatch and timer. I log my distances traveled.

Surround yourself with people that you can grow from or with - Running in an area with people who are getting some sort of exercise is a driver. It wouldn't be quite the same running laps around a bar.

Make your goal attainable, but not without effort - I try not to set myself up for failure before I even get started.

Push yourself - but wisely! An extra km a day or a little more weight in the back pack.

Enjoy the journey - remember WHY? Have fun, breath the air, watch nature, think of how fortunate I am to be able to run.

Where am I? What am I doing? - Stay focused on my goal.

Feed your muscles - Embyonic breathing - Rebuild and allow muscles to heal, understand my body.

Have the proper tools - good shoes, good socks (sounds funny...but very true), set your mind up for success.

Body alignment and posture - I try to run with good alignment and stay focused on what certain parts of my body are doing, like my toes, are they just along for the run or are they going to serve me!?

Mind over matter...take your mind to that special place - I have tried certain things like counting using my fingers as I run. One step at a time. I change my mental focus to nature watching or site seeing. Watching the sky and the clouds as they alter in shape.

Reward yourself - After a run I treat myself to bucket of greasy chicken, just kidding! I will search through the cupboards for a high protein food, lots of H2O and some fresh fruit, Then have a well deserved shower. Nothing like a shower after a long run! As oddly as that may sound, I've said that to myself whilw running, "just one more lap and off to the shower!"

Be honest to yourself - if during the day, I said to myself that I was going to go for a run later. Then I need to stick to my guns and put the shoes on when I get home. Procrastination and rationalization will not get me anywhere.

Live with honor and integrity - I just need to remain true to myself and my commitments.

Respect yourself - treat myself physically and mentally well. Crap in crap out!
Get sufficient rest.

Humility - Have the power to step back when I need to. One I day it may mean walking along side someone 30 years my senior. Just don't quit.

Empathy - In my present situation, being a registered 2012 death racer, I'm running to support cerebral palsy. There are three youngsters in my family, with CP, that may not ever be able to run this race, even if they wanted to, so I am going to run this for them!

Darcy Regier

http://darcyregier.blogspot.ca/