I find something really liberating about running.
I think it’s the surge of endorphins… and access to a clarity of thought that can sometimes be hard to find in a busy, highly stimulated life. I also like the idea that I can take myself anywhere that I want to go with my own two legs… a form of pure independence.
Furthermore, for me, running well is an indication that my health and fitness are in a good space – so it’s a great feedback mechanism. I am definitely not the kind of person that is built to run so running fast, or long, is reward for effort.
Yesterday as I soaked my weary muscles in the bath, after completing the Noosa Half Marathon in 1:59.45 (15 seconds quicker than my 2 hour goal), I realised I had learned a lot from the process… and was keen to share some of the lessons with you to have a play with.
RUN YOUR OWN RACE
One of the things I loved most about the weekend was seeing people from all walks of life having a crack. There were first timers, marathon veterans and everything in between. As I looked around I was struck by the vast array of ages, shapes and sizes on the course. It was a real indicator that ‘fit’ isn’t necessarily what gyms, magazines and Instagram accounts make it out to be. The one thread that brought pretty much everyone together though was the look of pride, relief and satisfaction as they crossed the finish line. It was evident that for most, completing an endurance event was not about ‘winning’ – rather striving for a personal best.
I feel there is an unhealthy focus on competing woven through our society. For some it can be motivating, but for many it is toxic and debilitating. I believe that ultimately, life shouldn’t be viewed as a competition. We all have different wants and desires, all come with different levels of ability and experience, and all face different circumstances. When we stop worrying about the ‘competition’ and shift our focus inwards the journey becomes far less stressful, and more rewarding. Make success personal – define it for yourself, rather than accepting a definition authored by someone else.
WHERE YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU WANT TO BE ARE SEPARATED BY ACTION AND DISCIPLINE.
Late last year my fitness coach Sean asked me to run around the block near his gym - roughly a 1km loop. It wasn’t particularly enjoyable, and I am fairly certain I had to stop and walk a couple of times. Back then, the idea of completing a half marathon was completely absurd. Between my first run and the Noosa Half Marathon I clocked up hundreds of kilometres. I spent time with Sean training specific exercises to build cardio fitness, and strength and endurance in my legs. I purchased new running shoes and a fitness watch. I mapped running days in my calendar, and made sure I stuck to them – even when I didn’t feel like it. It was these collective actions that enabled me to run 21km on the weekend. If you want something, the only way to get it is to take action. Figure out what you need to do, and do it (even when sometimes you don’t feel like it).
THERE WILL BE SETBACKS – EMBRACE THEM AND ADAPT.
A few weeks ago, some friends invited me to donate blood at The Red Cross. After going through a major surgery myself in 2005, it’s always been something I have wanted to do. I hadn’t really considered the impact it would have on my energy levels and training program. I pretty much had to stop running for two weeks which was not ideal in the final stages of a half marathon prep. It would have been easy to throw in the towel.
I have learned that when faced with any kind of setback, focus and adaptability are incredibly important. Where we choose to focus our attention and energy is generally what manifests. Focus on the problem, and we become frustrated and disheartened. Focus on finding solutions and we can often navigate our way around the obstacles. I saw my GP, started taking an iron supplement, altered my diet and substituted long runs for shorter, faster ones. This series of small adaptations through a tricky couple of weeks enabled me to maintain momentum and ultimately still achieve my goal on the weekend. Setbacks are inevitable – try to remain solution focussed, and be prepared to adapt your approach when you feel the old way is no longer working.
EXPERIENCE IS A POWERFUL TEACHER
Saturday was the culmination of around 3 months of training. Each time I ran I felt I got fitter, smarter and more confident. It also helped being coached by someone with a lot more knowledge and experience with distance running than I do. Sean’s mentorship, and the hours of practice enabled me to build confidence and take on the challenge with a solid and well structured plan of attack.
My final training session was an 18km ‘race pace’ run, 1 week out from the event. Throughout the run my cardio fitness felt great, but at about the 15km mark my hips and knees started to seize, and my pace slowed dramatically. The insights my training gave me became incredibly important as I planned out my 21.1km. I knew it was important for me to get a good start and build a buffer that would allow for a slower finish, but still let me sneak in under 2 hours. Most of the advice I read had suggested consistency was key, but my experience allowed me to override that approach and go with something that worked better for my body. There is no one-size-fits-all approach and no one becomes great at something overnight. Personal mastery comes from thousands of hours of intentional practice, reflection and refinement.
I once considered 21.1km in under 2 hours a far fetched idea… and now it’s my new benchmark. Life is about constantly redefining our possible and chasing things that bring joy and meaning to our lives. So get out there, set your sights on something, put in the work and enjoy the journey and wherever it takes you.