Running's life lessons...

For some reason, as I was going to bed the other night, I started thinking of all the things running has taught me (and probably several other runners) over the years. I decided to put them down on paper (so to speak) and share with you.

Keep in mind that you’ll see many of these intersect with one another, but I think they are all valuable lessons!

Patience: You have to be patient to endure the multiple miles you put in, whether training for a 5K or a marathon. Everyone knows that, with running, there are mostly good days. But, when you do have bad days, you have to have patience to get through the run (no matter what). The race atmosphere can be very hectic, chaotic and, most of all, crowded. A runner must be patient to deal with the crowds and the lines and just…relax and enjoy the experience!

Resilience: I was in quite a bit of pain the first few days after my first marathon. And while I’d already committed that I’d be running another one, my legs weren’t so sure. In those moments you think, “Seriously, is there any way I’ll ever be able to run again, period?” Here’s where the resilience comes in! Our bodies are incredible! I remember the first time I ran after that marathon, about a week later. I remember thinking, “Wow, I’m back!” This applies to life, too. No matter how bad it is or how bad it might feel, you can bounce back!

Mental Toughness: Nothing teaches you mental toughness like grueling long runs in preparation for a marathon. Oh wait, running a marathon will really give you mental toughness (if you didn’t already have it). I was unemployed when I ran my first marathon. Or let’s just say I was “between jobs,” which sounds better, right? OK, so it was a pretty rough time for me, but I remember crossing the finish line and thinking, “If I can run 26.2 miles, I can get through THIS!” You have to be so focused to run these long distances. I’m not just talking about the race, either. I’m talking about sticking to a training plan that guides your mileage and then following through on race day. There are days where it’s so hot and humid outside, the last thing you want to do is run for 3 hours in it. There are days where you’d rather quit early and find/make up and excuse, but you push forward.

Determination: Sometimes I treat running as if it’s my opponent in a one on one match. And I refuse to let running win! Here is what I mean… I ran a marathon last year where intense lower back pain struck me at mile 6 (only 20.2 more miles to go!). Mind you, I had never had this issue before, so it was a complete surprise. And I had been running fine, up until that point. While the pain was pretty bad, I was determined to finish the race, no matter what the final time would be. I was able to run another 7 miles (at a slower pace) and then walk/run the last 13. There were some very unpleasant moments and two significant moments where I wanted to just quit. But, more than anything, I wanted to finish the race. I guess you could say running won, but I like to think we tied? (Side note: if the pain is so bad you think you are seriously injured, you should not feel “determined” to keep going. I think I knew I would be fine if I just adjusted my pace, how I ran the race, and my expectations for the race.) Another example of this determination? My friends (Carrie and Jen) and I ran the 2007 Twin Cities Marathon, in the humidity heat wave. We started separately and then finished together (about 20 pounds lighter). Did we have fun? OK, probably not. But, we powered through and finished the race, no matter what!

Discipline: You have to be disciplined. You can slack in other areas and maybe “get by,” but you can’t really do that in running, no matter your natural ability. For example, I don’t think most runners would just up and decide to run a marathon tomorrow if they’ve never run more than 10 miles in their life. This is where the training plan comes in. Yes, I’m a planner and have a bit of OCD, and I do love a good PLAN. I follow mine pretty close (some friends would say freakishly close). But, my reason is that I know I’m on track when I follow the plan. Yes, I might move Thursday’s workout to Monday, but I try to get the weekly miles in. Runners know how much worse they’ll feel on/after race day if they show up unprepared. I can’t imagine running a marathon without having put in the requisite long runs.

Time Management: If you weren’t good at managing your time before becoming a runner, I’ll bet you are now! This is especially true if you train for long distance races. Prior to training and running for marathons, I ran during the week, after work, usually 4-5 miles at a time, sometimes a bit longer. But, once you start doing the long runs, you have to block out 2-3 hours of time on a weekend day and sometimes an hour and a half on week nights. For me, that means getting up early on Saturday mornings and joining the local running club and my friends. It also means that I sometimes have to do that run on Friday, if I plan to be out of town that weekend. I’ve even taken a half day off of work to get my long run in. For others, it means making sure someone is watching the kids, making breakfast, etc. No matter your situation, you have to make time for the longer runs, which means planning the route, the water/Gatorade stops, and the Panera reward afterward!

Jedi Mind Tricks: I play so many little tricks on myself when I’m running. Sometimes I’m running with a good friend (Carrie) and mind tricks are not necessary. The two of us are gabbing so much that, before we know it, 14 miles are done! But, sometimes, you have to play little games with yourself in order to get through a run. You know what I’m talking about. “OK, I’ll stop and take a GU when I reach the bridge.” We all know that you get to the bridge because you have a little “reward” coming. “I’ll stop and walk for a bit when I reach that sign.” Typically, when you reach the sign, you keep running. My favorite trick is this – math! I ran 17 miles last Friday and it went well. I did a stretch of 7 miles, then another stretch of 6 miles, then 4. Let me tell you, when I hit 10 miles, I immediately told myself I had an easy 7 miler left. In my head, it was as if I was starting at zero miles and just had to run 7. After my last water stop (at 13 miles), it was refreshing to know I had 4 measly miles left. While I’m not a “math” person, it sure helps me during tough runs! I love that after all of these years, my mind still allows me to “lie” to it from time to time.

Appreciation: Running has taught me to appreciate my body and what it can, and can’t, do. I’m constantly thanking God for giving me a healthy body and strong legs that can withstand the training and run long distances. I am fully aware that there are people who would love to run, or even walk, and can’t. When you look at it this way, you see running as an incredible gift. It keeps you healthy and fit, while opening you up to wonderful experiences and friendships. Sure, some days it feels like running is a torture device, but most days you know the good you are doing and what running is giving back to you. It doesn’t matter that God didn’t give me a natural ability to be “fast,” He gave me the ability to run, period. He gave me a passion for it and that’s all you need!