Rugby Motivation…or lack thereof

I’ve been at work for 9 hours now…going on ten…and I have been doing a lot besides working. I updated all the myspace pages that I host (mostly rugby sites), cleaned out my files/photos, and started looking at a weight training program recently emailed to me. This got me to thinking about what motivates me and why…and why sometimes its glaring me in the face…and sometimes I can’t get off the couch.

So to the motivation. Usually I get my motivation through weight training…and I haven’t been able to do that for about 4 months! Partly due to my injured hand, and partly due to our intense schedule with hosting West Club Championships and attending Sweet 16s two weeks later. I find it hard to weight train consistently during the season as I work full-time, attend school full-time and play rugby full-time. That’s three full-time jobs basically!

I love the idea of weight training, but looking at the list of split jerks, cleans, dead lifts and more…I’m realizing that I am not cleared to do half of them. I have my *final* (we hope) hand appointment on the 18th and I should hopefully be cleared from there. I am going to physical therapy twice a week and that crazy lady is putting me through the ropes. My hand is already much stronger and has stopped hurting.

MOTIVATION. I am having a hard time finding it and it seems like some of my teammates and fellow rugby bloggers are finding it hard too. Perhaps it is the bleak weather (it was actually cloudy in Austin today), the holidays, or the hundreds of other things that go along with being a human. So what does one do to get motivation?

Here are a few steps I am taking:

1. Visualization – I ordered my own copy of Rudy from Half.com. This movie motivates me every single time I watch it. Other movies that can motivate are GI Jane, Remember the Titans, Chariots of Fire, Breaking Away (lol), or any of the Rocky’s.
2. Weight Training – I already mentioned that I am not cleared to do a lot of weight training on the top half of the body…but I have begun on the bottom half. Lets cultivate those calves, quads, hammies baby…lets get hot! (Blondie referred this link)
3. Proper Diet – Along with the holidays comes eating horrible food, although it may taste good…its probably not good for you. I definitely had my share of pumpkin pie, ice cream, mashed potatoes and more. BUT NO MORE! Its back to home cooked meals where I control the portions, vegetables and protein.
4. Nalgene – I have gotten out of the habit of carrying my nalgene EVERYWHERE I go…and I need to get back in that habit. I did get a SWEET camel back for Christmas though, I guess I could wear that under all my clothes! HYDRATE, HYDRATE…
5. Trail Runs – Jake and I will be lacing up the old tennis shoes a lot more lately…running along beautiful Town Lake or the Greenbelt, maybe we’ll see ya out there!

What else? What motivates YOU?