Distance running has taught me a lot about life. I think the key things I have taken away are:
- Life is suffering. Life is hard. Running, in turn, is also hard, particularly going long distances when your body and mind are tired. But it is through suffering that you can reach and appreciate beauty. Without suffering and challenge, we would remain the same. Life would be boring. Sure – there would be minimal failure and disappointment. But there would also be no glory, or chance for self improvement. I can see how much easier running has become for me. It is a way for me to decompress after a tough day. It is a form of therapy for me, as the repetitive action is a way of physically meditating and zoning out. Sure, sometimes the runs are uncomfortable. But with that discomfort, I can see parallels to other parts of my life that are uncomfortable, and I realize that the run will eventually end, I will reach my destination, and the suffering will be relieved.
At the end of my tough runs, if I endure the suffering, I’m often rewarded by smiling little faces like this one. - Focus on the mile you are in. I recently read the memoir, Run the Mile You’re In, by Ryan Hall (a recently retired marathoner). I think that one of the themes he touches on, that is the title of the book, is very poignant. We should continue to refocus our thoughts on the moment at hand, or in running, the mile you are in. In a race, or a workout, it is easy to get ahead of yourself, and start thinking of all the other miles you have left. Or in life, it is easy to start focusing too much on the future, and neglecting the present. Take a moment to relish the here and now. You are only going to have this day once. Tomorrow, sure, is around the corner, but it is crucial to not be so future oriented that you fail to live in the present.
Sometimes life gives you a long journey, or a traffic jam. Don’t get too focused on the car lengths ahead of you. Instead, stay mindful of the present. Enjoy the beauty (and in this case, organization and order) that can be present in life. - Take time to relish victories. Take time to reflect on the past, and see how well things have gone in your life. It is good practice to take some time and think of your past victories. Sure, I am no elite runner, and I will probably never truly “win” a race in a field of runners, and I am okay with that. But for me, success is able to be self-defined. It can be finishing a distance you have never finished before. It can be setting a new personal record. It can be finishing a training plan and/or race injury free. As in my 2nd marathon, it can be gritting through a less-than-deal situation (e.g. illness) and finishing a race anyways. And as I reflect on my own past successes, I think of ways to incorporate these into my future plans, so I can repeat things I have done well.
- Learn from mistakes. Life is not perfect. That is also true in sports. Sometimes things do not go as planned. A particular meal, perhaps, the night before a long run is one to avoid in the future. Forcing a run after a long week of work or stressful night of call can lead to a weakened immune system and make you more prone to catching an infection or getting injured. Learning to listen to your body is an acquired skill, and takes practice. I think that by analyzing things I have done wrong, I am able to hopefully better plan for future situations, so I won’t make the same mistake again.
- Being content with my own thoughts, and letting creativity run wild. I find running helps often burn off excess negative energy, e.g. a patient encounter that did not go well, or a conversation with my family that could have gone better. And it also opens up my creative side. Sometimes I have music playing, or a podcast or audiobook going while I run. And with this audio simultaneously playing and inspiring me on my run, I notice new connections and ideas cropping up organically. Exercise, I feel, is a way to get in better touch with your inner mind, and all that it entails – emotions, thoughts, and hopes for the future. Running for me is my exercise of choice, and it has brought me to a greater connection to my own creative and spiritual side.
Enjoy all that life has to offer. Life is sometimes rocky (or wobbly as in this ride) but it can also teach you a lot, and these challenges are what make life interesting and worth living.
Life is full of trials and tribulations. In this journey of life, it can be easy to be one-track minded, and go day in, day out, in the same routine. Wake up, go to work, get home, eat dinner, go to bed, rinse and repeat. I think my hobby of distance running has helped enrich my life. It isn’t only cardiovascular exercise (although this, don’t get me wrong, is truly quite valuable). I think more than that, though, it gives me an outlet, and serves as my form of therapy and meditation. Running has taught me a lot, and I think this hobby will continue to teach me as I advance further in my development as a runner.