Running Lessons
Over the last few weeks I have realized how much I am learning about life from my running attempts.
Lesson 1.
Just show up.
So much of our successes in life begins with just showing up for the event - either physically, mentally or emotionally (showing up with all three is good but sometimes not possible). I often don't want to show up, either for a run or for life. I don't want to feel the pain or the frustration or embarrassment or the fatigue or the sense of failure.
What I am learning through the discipline of running is that when I do show up despite not wanting to be there, two things happen. 1) I go a little farther without having to walk or I have less pain or there is some (however small) progress and 2) I feel great when I am finished - strong and healthy and accomplished. As I have begun to apply this to other areas of my life (especially in my faith) I have seen similar results.
Lesson 2
Be consistent
Consistency goes along with showing up and not giving up - as you can't be consistent if you don't show up or if you give up when times are hard. If you do not exercise (your body, your brain, your faith) on a consistent basis it does not change. One day a week of intense "work", will not create much noticeable improvement. You cannot expect to train for a week and then run 10 miles or train for a month and run 100. Somehow I have missed learning this concept in life up until now. I have lacked the consistency and follow-through needed to achieve great success (when great effort has been required). I give up when I don’t progress as fast or as far or as good as I think I should. Running is teaching me the value of consistency in growth —both in physical and spiritual training.
Lesson 3
We need other people.
I am able to go farther with less effort when I run with others. My best successes have been when running with others. But I have found that there is some selectively for your optimal running partner. If they are too far behind you in their fitness level, you will not push yourself to do your best. It becomes easier to walk instead of jog. However if you run with someone who is so far advanced (6 minute miler vs. 11 minute miler!) that is focused on their workout, you will quickly fall behind and become discouraged or try to keep up and get hurt or burn out too quickly. The best running partners are those that are at your level or slightly above, as well as those "experts" that stop and take the time to jog with you at your pace and encourage you along the way. It seems like I learn through osmosis just by being with someone who is "doing it right".
Lesson 4
No instant gratification.
I am a part of the "I want it now" generation. I am willing to work hard to get what I want...I am just not willing to work long. If it doesn't come together according to my plan within a week or two, well that must mean that something is awry and I should quit or do something different. Running has taught me that sometimes progress and growth take much longer that I think they should - and sometimes they take ME much longer than other people. Running has taught me patience and persistence. I am continuing to persevere through excruciating pain in my calves, feet falling asleep due to nerve pressure, not being able to run a more than a mile or so without stopping to walk, hills! and not seeing any noticeable change in my body shape.
Lesson 5
The payoff
After 18 months I discovered the elusive runners "groove". I had my first pleasurable running experience at Valley Forge National Park – beautiful rolling hills, deer grazing, peaceful, overcast but not cold. I applied all the lessons noticed previously. I showed up willing to run - even though I was with my boss who is a triathlete and I could have easily intimidated myself into not going. I was consistent - it would have been easy to talk myself out of running as we were out of town at a business trip and tired. At first, I did my usual ungainly walk/jog and repeat pattern – stiff calves, feet falling asleep, when will this be over, why am I doing this routine. Then after about 45 minutes on the trail we were jogging together (my boss slowing to my level) and it suddenly felt good. I was breathing well, my feet were not asleep, my calves didn’t hurt and I felt like I could go on forever! It felt so amazingly good. I must have run for 15 minutes like that and felt like I was in the groove….like I was actually running. Then we came to a hill and that broke my rhythm and activated the painful calves again. But now I know what I am chasing and I want to get back to that place again.
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