Hi Journal & Friends,
I figure if I hear something enough times, it's bound to sink in! In the spirit of summer reruns, here is a quote I like that I've used before:
"When a person trains once, nothing happens. When a person forces himself to do a thing a hundred or a thousand times, then he certainly has developed in more ways than physical. Is it raining? That doesn't matter. Am I tired? That doesn't matter either. Then willlpower will be no problem." --Emil Zatopek (1922 - 2000)
He should know. Emil Zatopek, from the Czech Republic, has been called one of the greatest runners of the 20th Century. He became a legend when he won the 5000, the 10,000 and the Marathon at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki. It has never been done before, or since.
While I've been told that "willpower" is a short-lived substance, I think I know what Mr Zatopek meant in that quote.
He was called "The Locomotive" among other nicknames. He dominated long distance running in his time, winning 38 consecutive 10,000 meter races. He set so many records and won so many medals and awards, I could fill up the rest of this post with them!
That's the kind of person that commands my respect. He was credited with revolutionalizing running and training methods, and developed the first interval workouts that we use today. We... ha ha ha... did I just say "we"?!
Even in his personal life, he was a gutsy man. He once defied the Communist party by refusing to go represent his country at a race unless a fellow runner, whose father was a political prisoner, was allowed to go also. He won that showdown.
Emil in the lead at the 1952 Olympics. He won, of course.
Yesterday I did ALL the exercises on my list for Friday, and not the "short" routine, either! So, I only have 99 days to go, and then it should be "no problem", according to Emil Zatopek. ;-)
That sounds about right for the summer... it will fit in nicely with my Summer Smackdown (I explained about that here)!
And this Monday, July 5th,
Deb's Freedom Challenge
starts! The info is HERE. It's not too late to join. If you are like me, it will help you stay focused... and you get to pick your own goals. My main theme for the challenge is... what else... CONSISTENCY.
If you'd like to read more about the amazing Emil Zatopek, HERE is a link to the Wikipedia story about him.
From Dr Phil's book: "...demanding nothing less than the best of yourself and for yourself."
My verse for today: "How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!"
My quote for today: "You can't climb up to the second floor without a ladder... When you set your aim too high and don't fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness. Try for a goal that's reasonable, and then gradually raise it." --Emil Zatopek
Enjoy the Journey,
Loretta
=^..^=
5 comments:
I absolutely love the quote from Aristotle! Happy Fourth!
That dude sounds like someone I'd like...I will look him up.
Hi Loretta -- thanks so much for commenting on my blog post! It's so great to find others who understand.
I love your blog and inspirational quotes. Your progress pics are amazing -- you look not only younger now, but happier as well!
one day at a time....Dee :D
I LOVE EMIL!!! I've read about him in so many of my running books. His unconventional training is fun to read about. It's hard to believe he went from that to cleaning toilets in a mine because of the government. What a great, interesting, and motivating man. There are so many great and funny stories about him. It sounds like he was a warm, wonderful, giving man. I love the quotes you posted!!
Great job with the exercise, Retta! Doesn't it feel great mentally to do more than the short routine? You are POWERFUL!
P.S. - People used to tease him about his running form. He said it was a good thing this was running and not figure skating so he wasn't judged on style.
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