Running is a teacher...
Running teaches me many things. Running teaches me patience. I cannot go out and run 2 miles and then be ready to run a
sub 17 5k. I cannot go out and run
5 miles and then have that be good enough to go run a 50k. There are steps that need to be taken,
progressions made, and foundations to build on. To reach certain goals and to build to certain levels in
running, patience is needed. Your goals
will not be reached right away; they take time to reach. Running teaches me to work hard. I set goals and I work hard to reach
them. If I do not work hard, I
will not reach my goals. If you
want to reach your goals, you must work hard to attain them. Just like in life. If you want it bad enough, you have to
go get it because no one is going to give it to you. Running teaches persistence. In running, you will have stumbles, falls, and
setbacks. You must learn to
overcome these setbacks. You must
learn to look past them and keep your eyes on your goals. Yes, there are times when something
about running gets me down. But I
need to be patient. I need to take
the time to ice the area and sit and relax. I need to do my PT exercises several days a week and ice
after. I need to ice after work
because I am on my feet all day long.
I need to ice after I run as well, when I get back to running. I need to do running muscle
strengthening exercises, too. I
need to be persistent in the treatment of my adductor to get it to 100% and of
my whole body so it stays 100% for as long as possible.
Running teaches respect. When out on the roads and on the trails, we need to be
mindful of others, and of the places, around us. We need to watch for bikers, cars, hikers, Mennonites (or
Amish depending on where you live), horseback riders, and other runners. On the trails, we’re all out there for
the same reasons: for our health and to enjoy nature. We also need to watch for and respect the land that we tread
on. Don’t leave your trash for
someone else to clean up, or to get lost in the woods and pollute our world any
more than it already is. Take out
what you bring in. How hard is it
to shove that gel packet back in your pocket or pouch? I dropped my packet during a 50k. I went back and picked it up saying to
the other runners around me “Aw, man, there goes my win!” That got quite a few laughs considering
we were in the middle of the pack way, way, way behind.
To enjoy nature.
Being outside, on the road or on the trail, can be very refreshing. Fields, forests, streams, flowers,
birds, deer, rabbits, squirrels, skunks all of nature is out there to be
enjoyed. Ok, maybe while running
intervals you may not enjoy it as much, but it can be a welcome distraction if
it hurts bad, or while recovering between intervals, but it is there for
you. It’s easy for me to get lost
(or trip) while running on the trails because of the natural beauty
around. I am lucky to have some
very beautiful trails within 30 minutes at Blue Marsh Lake and also the
Appalachian Trail (which I really need to run on! I’ve only hiked on it). French Creek State park is nearby as well, though a bit
further. There are other places as
well that I used to explore as an overweight hiker/ photographer, but not yet
as a runner. I plan on doing more
exploring as this year goes on.
Kindness.
Seeing another runner struggling in a race, ask if they’re ok, if they
need anything (especially longer races on trails with not may others
around). What’s a couple minutes
if you can help a fellow human in need of help? It feels much better to help others than to finish a race
well, anyway. During my first
Tough Mudder I was having an easy time getting through it (unlike my second
time…). I had a water bottle with
me but I really wasn’t using it as I was getting enough water at the aid stations. I happily shared the water with several
other people that so obviously needed it along the way. They were very thankful and I ran with
some of them for a bit, too.
Kindness in running is also helping out at races. Being on the other side, cheering
everybody on, getting them the things they need. These are all part of the rewards of being a part of the
community of running.
Persistence: never give up (unless something snaps or pops,
of course). Quitting is a
temporary solution, but the feeling from quitting, knowing you gave up, will
stay with you and bring you down.
Getting through that mental block of wanting to stop and quit a race or
cut a long run short is all part of the mental training in running. Think about the long term goal and how
good it will feel knowing you did your best in attempting to achieve it whether
your long term goal is achieved or not.
Get off the couch and never go back. Start a plan, stick with it. Choose a race or distance goal and go for it. Make short and long term goals and go
for them. Can’t stop! Won’t stop! Never stop! (typing this just reminded me of part of a rugby
chant at the end of practices before games a few-well, almost 18-years back).
It took 10 months for that fat to go away and 12 months for my first race, a triathlon. Running taught me how to save my life, and help my children and wife lead a healthy life. That is the most important thing running has taught me.
So get out and run. See what running can help to teach you!
