As I head to Knoxville for my first triathlon of the season I have already had a great year setting personal bests on every distance from 5k-25k, while being in the mix to win some of the events. While that may be great motivation in itself it's not always enough to get out the door day after day and push your body to levels it's never seen. However you can find motivation in the smallest things, you just have to search hard enough. Sometimes it's little things such as a random Facebook post, or tweeted quote.                    

Or sometimes its something bigger like finding out your years hard work has been recognized by the national governing body of your sport.

Since I do 99% of my training alone it can sometimes be hard for me to push myself out the door for a run or a ride, but I always feel better when I'm done. And more often than not they turn out to be some of my best workouts. Finding motivation for me becomes most difficult for me when in taper mode since I know there is no fitness to be gained, and I am just waiting to unleash the beast (hopefully) on race day. As I sit here 4 days out from racing a 70.3 mile race that I have been training for all winter I reflect on all those cold winter rides that I endured to be at peak fitness in just a few days. I seemingly had no problem getting out there and riding in sub 30 degree temperatures for 3 hours but I struggled to get on my bike for my final ride yesterday when it was beautiful and 70!

In 2013 I have had the great fortune of being able to work with several companies which also gives me motivation to keep going. It's a special feeling each time a company agrees to have you as an ambassador for their brand. It gives a feeling of accomplishment that a company trusts you to go out and advertise their product and be a spokesperson for them, after all you are now a part of their brand image. The smaller the company the bigger impact you can have. Because of my relationships with these companies I sometimes receive products in the mail randomly, which definitely provides a motivation boost. There is no better motivation to get out and train then to get to do it with a new product!

Lastly I find motivation from my athletes that I coach, including my fiancee, seeing them hit their goals is a constant reminder that putting in the work day after day is a prescription for success. While Erica and I don't run together we have been doing our long runs at the same time for the last few months as she is training for her first marathon. It sometimes would motivate me to run 20 miles instead of 18 because I knew she would be out there running with me, even if we weren't running the same pace. There has been days when she has pushed me out the door, and there have been days when I have pushed her, that's been helpful to both of us. Seeing my athletes achieve their personal bests all year has been great, and I know that trend will continue and continue to keep me excited to train as I get ready to compete in London in September.

Where do you  find your motivation?