BASS PRO MIDWEEK MOTIVATION - Intrinsic Motivation

Hello runner friends!

Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series

MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog!

Now let's get started by talking about one of the main reasons urunners sign up for races... the frills. What exactly are frills you might ask? As defined by Cambridge Dictionary, frills are extra things that are added to something to make it more pleasant or more attractive, but that are not necessary.

Which begs the question? What's considered necessary to actually run a race like the Bass Pro Marathon/Half or the Dogwood Canyon trail run? If shirts and medals come to mind, you're wrong. Technically the only thing you needed to complete a running event is the right clothing—shoes, shirt, shorts, socks, hat, etc.(GPS watches aren't even a necessity)—sufficient water and food. Now on to the next question... would you run a difficult race like Dogwood Canyon knowing that you would NOT be getting a medal or shirt upon crossing the finish line? This is a timely and legitimate question considering that the Bass Pro Shops Fitness Series Team recently opened up some coveted slots to participate in the sold-out Dogwood Canyon Weekend. The only caveat? They are "no frills" spots... in their words, "People who receive these spots will wait to receive medals and shirts until after the Dogwood Canyon weekend." Even then, there's no guarantee that a person will receive these items. So would you still show up to the start line of this iconic trail run if given the chance?

Well personally I would give an emphatic "Yes!" as my response. Why? Because I am intrinsically motivated to run. What does that mean exactly and why am I talking about it you might be wondering? Well... Intrinsic motivation is defined as the doing of an activity for its inherent satisfaction rather than for some separable consequence. When intrinsically motivated, a person is moved to act for the fun or challenge entailed rather than because of external products, pressures, or rewards. And I'm talking about it because when our behavior is driven by internal rewards, we are more likely to be motivated to complete something hard and will enjoy the activity more. So what kind of internal rewards could you and I expect to receive from running in one of the Bass Pro Fitness Series of events? While there are many, here are five... 

1.Time spent with friends. This one is so underrated and yet one of the strongest intrinsic motivators around. Doing hard things with friends simply because you want to be with them is infinitely more valuable than any medal, buckle or plaque that you and I could ever receive. I don't know about you but my medals are at home collecting dust while the memories of the time I've spent with running buddies is always fresh in my mind and has the power to put a smile on my face like nothing else can. In fact, many of those memories can cause me to spontaneously bust out in laughter. This is definitely a great reason to get out there sans shirt and medal. 

2. Taking in the sights and smells of fall. If you've never run the streets of Springfield or the trails of Lampe in November, you'll never fully understand the sheer joy that being out in nature provides. I can almost smell the brisk fall air and picture the courses as I write this. The Bass Pro Marathon/Half will take you through some of the most beautifully established neighborhoods of Greene County, where you'll experience firsthand the brilliance of the changing leaves while the Dogwood Canyon trail runs will take you to the heights of the Ozark Mountains where the views will make your jaw drop. Witnessing all this God-given beauty for yourself is motivation in itself to step up to the start line. 

3. The satisfaction of completing something the majority of people never will. With or without a medal, when you complete something hard like a marathon or a difficult trail run, you gain self confidence. Those things you once considered too hard to do, you now consider possible. Running takes you from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset... especially when it's done for no other reason than to prove it's possible. That's where the pleasure comes from. 

4. Running on terrain that is new, exciting and challenging. If pavement is your thing, kudos to you. But trail running is where it's at. Especially when those trails offer water crossings and gnarly elevation gain. The opportunity to traverse unchartered territory doesn't come every day so take advantage of it. 

5. The finish line.  Awwww.... the coveted finish line. The place where your dreams, hard work, discipline and months of training pay off. This is the place where you can raise your hands in victory, smile, high-five your friends, and then head to the food. After all, doesn't food motivate every runner? 

So there you have it friends. There are so many reasons to run besides a shirt and a medal. Especially when you take the time to remember that you can't take anything with you when you go. So enjoy today while you still have it and dare to do things just to do them! You'll soon find that your intrinsic motivation to run for the sheer joy of it far outweighs your desire for those "frills" that will be relished for a time and then be put on a shelf. And if you haven't signed up for one of the "no frills" spots at Dogwood Canyon, what are you waiting for? The Branson hills are calling your name. 

Happy Running!!!