Saturday, April 7, 2012

Advice From An Unexpected Source,pt.2

When people hear the name Bruce Lee these days most think of him as a karate guy who made martial arts movies. There was much more to him than that however, he was a man who trained hard and overcame many obstacles to achieve success.After he left Hong Kong he established martial arts studios on the west coast of the United States and eventually formulated a unique martial arts style.While in the States he tried to get into films and television but initially found it difficult to get past the stereotypes and prejudices connected with Asian actors.Lee was a big advocate of running as a conditioner. In addition, he was what I like to call a deep thinker,well read and someone who wrote down his thoughts and opinions. He was continually evaluating and reassessing his progress as an athlete. Sounds kind of familiar doesn't it? One thing you will notice is that there are athletes out there who you could describe as Stotans yet they wouldn't have a clue as to what that word meant.Bruce Lee was a Stotan in so many ways. The following quotes are from some of his journals published after his untimely death in 1973.After some of the quotes I'll offer a few comments.
"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough;we must do."
It is necessary to find your system of training and follow it. Sure, you may make some changes as needed to accommodate things that arise but you must have a plan if you have goals and aspirations in running. I am always surprised by people who just sort of go day to day in their training,improvising as they go along. You have to commit,part of that committing is designing and going with a course of action and doing it.
"True refinement seeks simplicity"
Aren't we all a little wary of the programs that require alot of calculating,adding and subtracting here and there,determining this percentage of pace and that percentage of pace? Training should be simple and logical,you shouldn't need a degree in exercise physiology to follow your program.
"It is the will that makes men---success takes perseverance."
There's that word again,perseverance.
"Yesterday's dreams are often tomorrow's realities."
A quote to keep in your training journal.What once seemed like a long shot can become a reality if you stick with it.
"Pessimism blunts the tools you need to succeed."
Wow! Is that ever true! I was probably as guilty of the above as anyone till I eventually smartened up.Add negativity to the mix also.
"Self-education makes great men."
I can almost hear Cerutty saying the same thing.We should never fit the stereotype of the one dimensional or what some call the "dumb athlete." Ever speak with an an athlete who seems like all he can talk about is his current and past workouts and races? I don't know about you but after a half hour of this my eyes sort of glaze over and my mind begins to wander.
"One great cause of failure is a lack of concentration."
Again,a thinking athlete is a successful athlete.
"If you think a thing impossible,you'll make it impossible."
What's the saying? "As a man thinks, so he will become?"
"If you love life,don't waste time,for time is what life is made up of"
Tomorrow is promised to no one, some of us have to remind ourselves of that fact so we will appreciate the things that are too often taken for granted.
I'll close with this,and what a great quote it is:
"A goal is not always meant to be reached,it often serves as something to aim at."
The running and the journey are sufficient in itself.


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