It's okay to be righteously selfish: racing edition
Selfishness gets a bad reputation.
Selfishness is often viewed as a negative trait, and it is easy to understand why. It is a trait that encourages the prioritization of one's own needs and wants above those of others, often leading to a lack of empathy and disregard for the feelings and needs of others. Yet, while selfishness is certainly undesirable in many cases, it is, unfortunately, a trait that is pervasive in many aspects of our lives.
It is important to note that selfishness has some positive aspects. It can be a great motivator for achieving success and can lead to improved self-confidence and self-esteem. People motivated to succeed can often push themselves to work harder and strive for excellence, leading to improved mental health.
These selfish acts should spare a lack of empathy and disregard for the feelings and needs of others, making it challenging to build meaningful relationships and connections. In an increasingly self-serving world, selfishness can lead to inequality and injustice.
Much of our inability to have compassion for others stems from our inability to have compassion toward ourselves. When the scales of life tip towards depletion, how do we refill our energy? Many of us don’t know where to start when regaining a sense of self and what self-care replenishes us.
Is there a way or a time to be justly selfish?
The build-up to a race is the perfect time to be righteously selfish.
Focusing on yourself and your goals is the first step to success, especially before a race. It is vital to stay in the moment and not be distracted by competition or outside factors. Self-care is essential for success.
Additionally, it is beneficial to practice visualization, such as imagining yourself crossing the finish line in the first place. Doing so can help to sharpen focus and build confidence.
Taper is an integral part of any training plan. It is a time for athletes to honor the work they have put in through the training process and to replenish their bodies and minds.
During this time, athletes should focus on activities that fill them up, such as meditating, listening to their bodies, and stretching. Additionally, prioritizing self-care can optimize performance. Eating an extra serving of pasta or taking a rest day could distinguish between a successful race and an injury or burnout.
What happens as a result of this selfishness is that you can arrive at race morning rooted in who you are and what the training has produced.
Selfishness often comes to mind when we think about training for a race.
We put in the time, the effort, and the energy, and that can seem like a pretty self-centered thing to do. But what we often forget is that the result of that selfishness is a beautiful thing. By dedicating ourselves to our training program, we create a celebration on race day.
The hard work and resilience from our training are finally coming to fruition.
All the time, effort, and energy we have invested has been worth it. On race morning, we can stand tall and proud, knowing that we have earned this moment through our own commitment and hard work.
So be righteously selfish and run your race.
