Thursday, January 25, 2007

Why the right way is so hard?

To a certain degree, we all know what's right and what's wrong. Moral wise, deep down, we are very similair. Treat others as you would treat yourself. Be fair.

I don't think there is a problem with choosing right or wrong b/c in our head, we know it.

The problem arises when we take the right action.

I was thinking on the way to work this morning, how come doing the right thing is always so hard?

After some pondering (and snoozing), I come to a conclusion that doing the right way is hard b/c there is usually ONE way of doing it right and that path often leads to us doing something that we are not comfortable with or not in our nature.

My friend is in a relatinoship and things are not working out. He can...

i) Throw a fit, argue and iron fist to get his way
ii) Pretend everything is ok and ignore the problem altogether
iii) Sit down, talk it out and if things really not going to work out, part ways.

I am very impress with my friend b/c not only did he did choose (iii), he even explained to her father why the relationship is not working out and why they feel they shouldn't be together. This is a very mature way of handling the situation. Is it comfortable? Nope.

It is easy for him to try and aruge/persude/lie and get his way. It is easy for him to pretend everything is ok and ignore the problem. Instead, he chose what he felt was right and stick to it. And I am sure it is a hard decision.

Does this relate to training?

Steven, in one of his post, mentioned the secret to running faster. There really isn't any secret. To run fast, you have to run fast. And that means you have to hurt. It is definitely uncomfortable and definitely more natural for us to sit and watch tv instead. Sheila, a multi year endurance age grouper, mentioned how hard her workout is (click here).

There is no side path or short cut to make you faster. No gadget, no gizmo. There is only ONE path.

How do you know if you are on the right path? Simple.

Does it hurt?
Does it feel uncomfortable?
Is it HARD?

If it is, yes, then I think you are on the right track :D.

There is only one path to Ironman.

2.4 miles/3.8 km swim
112 miles/180 km bike
26.2 miles/42 km run

One path. One right way. And it will never be easy :)

See you there in July 22.

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Side note: I think way too much.....

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

cliff - you're exactly right. the right way is often the hardest and we live in a culture of people that want things fast and easy. we want to have to expend the least amount of energy yet still get the biggest result.

ironman is not that way. i'm sure that you can get to the finish line without putting in the effort, but what do you lose in the process? ironman for me was a journey from the minute i hit send on active.com, to the minute i stepped across the finish line in florida. i wouldn't trade one minute of that journey for anything. and to be honest, the hours and weeks and months of hard work training taught me more than the actual day itself.

enjoy your journey!

Anonymous said...

To take it a little further, I think the reason doing the right thing is so hard is because there is usually only one right thing whereas there are a number of ways to do the wrong thing.
If you want to run faster you have to run faster. Running longer won't help, running more often won't help, running hills won't help, you have to run faster.

Anonymous said...

And you are certainly on your way. Enjoy the journey.

Carrie said...

think too much? naw.

E-Speed said...

I think this kind of thinking is the good kind Cliff ;)

Good post!

Brent Buckner said...

When the right thing is the easy thing we might not even notice that we're doing the right thing.

Anonymous said...

Good thoughts Cliff. I agree.

Like you said, there's only one path, like triathlon, it's the three in one.

Anonymous said...

Cliff,

I agree with you completely in that there is no secret - in sport or in life - if you want to succeed.

Work hard, do more than just go through the motions, and believe in what you are doing.

Lora said...

It maybe hard, but the rewards are so darn great!! And we have fun doing it!!

elaine s said...

cliff..i didn't even know you think!! :)

Anonymous said...

You want to run fasty? I have one little secret. You have to put your heart into it. Like anything in life if you put you heart into something you will achieve new heights.

Sarah Lukas said...

I just started taking my Business Ethics class, and it's really cool because not only is it about the corporate world, but it is about what's morally and ethically right.

:-) I love reading your posts. It's been awhile since I've checked in.

Anonymous said...

Very good perspective, Cliff. Thanks for the life lesson.

Stay tuned...

Anonymous said...

I think often times people are afraid to fail so they take the easy way out and do not attempt it at all. Growth does not come through comfort. Keep up the introspective thinking Cliff.

Anonymous said...

If it were easy, then everyone could do it, which would make it much less meaningful.

Anonymous said...

Great post Cliff. I do think that consistency in training eventually produces the speed. It doesn't just happen on its own. And of course discomfort is involved.

Anonymous said...

If you haven't take a look at Blue Like Jazz book - some simply spoken but quite insightful thoughts about why we take the easy way...

Yea, just run faster... Heh, it SOUNDS so easy...

qcmier said...

You've got the right thinking. Keep at it.