Earlier this year, I ran the Lakes Traverse, a 100-km race with 3500 metres of ascent thrown in for an extra bit of challenge. It runs from the west to the east of Cumbria, over the Lake District fells.
Ultra running requires consistent enthusiasm to maintain the months of training and knowing how to keep going when it gets painful—and believe me, it gets painful. The experience gave me plenty to reflect on. Yes, it’s about facing challenges, but it’s also about how to sustain motivation over the long haul.
With that in mind, here are some valuable ideas to put into practice with your team.
Be clear with the why
If you are going to run 100 km, you need to be clear about why you’re doing it because it’s going to get tough and it’s going to hurt. Remembering why you decided to run in the first place can help pull you through the toughest moments.
Previous motivations for running have been raising money for charity, having a sense of adventure, and proving to myself that I can do hard things.
It’s the same with your team. It’s not enough to just tell them to do something; be prepared to explain why you’re asking them to do it, too. Be clear with the purpose. Communicate the vision behind it, which can be helpful in terms of engaging them - particularly if it’s Ofsted-related.
When it gets tough, your team can connect with a purpose bigger than themselves to help motivate them to push through the challenges they face. Being clear with the vision unites everyone to one common goal. Simon Sinek does a great job of articulating the power of why .
Taking time to get to know your team as individuals helps understand the different motivators each of them may have. For some, it may be having some flexibility around working hours - to pick their children up on certain days or to be able to go to assemblies, etc.
Others may be motivated by promotion and financial reward. And for some, it may be a strong sense of purpose.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint
If you go out in a marathon like it's a 5k, in running terms, you can “blow up.” This is not a pleasant experience and can ruin the rest of your race as you gave everything you had far too early. The art of ultra running is pacing, fuelling, and taking care of yourself as much as you can.
Taking care of yourself while subjecting yourself to 100km on the trails may sound slightly ironic, but the basics of good nutrition, correct clothing layering, foot care, and paying attention to the route can make or break your race.
It’s the same with your team; they need to pace themselves week in and week out. I recently attended a Talk by Physiologist Oliver Patrick, in which he talked about wellbeing being rented, something that requires regular maintenance, and when we neglect ourselves, our wellbeing decreases.
Motivation and wellbeing are natural partners. When we are well-slept, eating well, and having time for connection with those we care about, our capacity for resourceful thinking is much more enabled.
How are your team maintaining their wellbeing? Are they constantly working through lunch or long hours with little time for recovery? Teaching is a career that often requires us to go above and beyond, but when this becomes the norm, it can become unsustainable.
Simple things like ensuring the team takes care of the foundations of their wellbeing, such as sleep, nutrition, connection with other people, and movement, can support them in maintaining consistent performance and motivation.
Accept that sometimes it’s going to hurt - and you may hit a wall
No matter how many times I run a marathon, there is always that moment when I question my life choices. “Why did I think this would be a good idea?” When I ran 100 miles nonstop, there was a moment when I swore to myself I would never run again if I finished the race, and two days after the race, I was booking the next one.
The wall represents when we have pushed ourselves well out of our comfort zone. If your team is learning or doing something new, it can feel uncomfortable. But it’s meant to be. There will be times when everything runs smoothly and also points where things do not go to plan—these provide powerful learning moments.
Be prepared to support your team in overcoming their barriers by helping them work through the challenges and giving them opportunities to reflect on the experience. Even better, create a culture of growth mindset, promoting proactive behaviour that sees opportunity in challenges.
Find joy in the process – celebrate each small step
Running an ultra-marathon focused only on the finish line will mentally make it an exceptionally long race. The key to getting to the finish is embracing the whole experience, enjoying the scenery, the people you meet along the way, the sunset skies, and every step of running - because this is what it is about.
Breaking the distance down into small chunks makes it appear far more achievable. Each time I hit 20 km of the 100km, it felt like an achievement and a sign that I could do the next 20km. Sometimes, reaching the finish line - while bringing relief and joy that I made it - leaves a hint of sadness that the adventure is over.
How can you encourage your team to break down targets into small achievable chunks? Take time to recognise success every time you hit a landmark part of the process can be valuable for driving motivation, through success.
It’s a team effort, but everyone must reach the finish line
To complete a marathon requires the support of others - from the friends who have kept you going on long training runs, to the Race Director inspiring or scaring you at the start line to the team that makes the race happen and the marshals who show up with a smile and essential cake at the checkpoints, lifting your spirits.
These people can help you on your way, but I am the only one who can finish the race.
Working together, collaborating as a team makes for a better experience and sharing different strengths, but only if everyone is willing to go to the finish line. This is about empowering people with their skills and expertise.
In life, just as in a marathon, people can help and support each other, but every person on that team needs to reach the finish line to finish the project and successfully meet their targets at the end of the year.
Our Top of the League workshop can help you find brilliant ways to motivate your team - and no Lycra or marathon training plans in sight. We can also create something bespoke for your school. Speak to the highly motivated Doug - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Rest assured; he won’t be wearing Lycra either.
