Motivation is the activation or energization of goal-oriented behavior. Motivation is said to be intrinsic or extrinsic. The term is generally used for humans but, theoretically, it can also be used to describe the causes for animal behavior as well. This article refers to human motivation. According to various theories, motivation may be rooted in the basic need to minimize physical pain and maximize pleasure, or it may include specific needs such as eating and resting, or a desired object, hobby, goal, state of being, ideal, or it may be attributed to less-apparent reasons such as altruism, selfishness, morality, or avoiding mortality. Conceptually, motivation should not be confused with either volition or optimism.[1] Motivation is related to, but distinct from, emotion.
Motivation is an interesting term. Right now I’m not sure what my motivation is. I’m trying to get to a specific point and as always things start off well but seem to tail off. The difficult thing is doing it by yourself (I’m not doing it by myself, which is why I’m blogging about my experience). Still I’m finding it harder and harder to get myself moving. I don’t know, I can’t wake up in the morning, I’m tired and lethargic when I get home at night, generally things suck.
BUT…
I’m not quitting. There are things going on in my life (both positive and negative) that are weighing on me. It’s strange; sometimes it feels like a physical weight hanging around my neck. I’m starting to see some people in different lights and I’m finding myself not liking what I’m seeing. In fact I would have to say that anger and sometimes outright rage seem to flare up inside me. But instead of lashing out or bottling it up, I’m going to channel these emotions, using them to get on the bike. I know that the first part of this blog hasn’t been warm and fuzzy, but if you want to understand the process, you need to know where my head is at.
Now for the motivation…
In the next couple of weeks, brace yourself for an influx of emails from me looking for sponsorship as I’m riding 50KM in the Becel Ride for Heart. This is happening June 6, so to make sure that I don’t look like a complete ass, Spritz and I will be spending some serious quality time over the next 5 weeks. Just to give the ride some perspective, that’s from the Exhibition, along the Gardiner, up the DVP to York Mills and back.
Tonight was a serious and somewhat intense session lasting 60 minutes. The focus tonight was to not only maintain the 90 RPMs that Dr. Spin is looking for, but making sure my heart rate is in the 135 BPM range (lately its been up at 140-145). I followed up the bike with 3 sets of 12 Reps of Hammer Bicep Curls @ 20lbs.
Now I have to work early tomorrow so there won’t be a post, but Saturday I’m headed with the roommates to visit the Morton’s and head out on a 50KM ride. It will be the first one of the season and the first ride on the new Crank Brothers Mallet pedals.
Have a good night (good lunch for you Lisa when you read this) and I will see you Sunday,
Beez
Oh and just in case you want to stop the emails before they start, click the link below to go to my sponsorship page.
http://www.rideforheart.ca/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=334877&u=334877-291277043
