Lessons I've Learned Becoming a 'Runner'

Before we get into the thick of it, I need to throw out a disclaimer: I don't know what becoming a runner actually means. I used to dislike running quite a bit. I always saw it as a necessary evil on the treadmill at the gym to warm me up for my weightlifting sessions. The way I've defined it for myself is consistently running at least 4-5 days a week and steadily increasing the distance I cover. And over the course of the last year and a half or so I've embraced it and the chase to hit that runner's high (it's a real thing). Here are some things I've learned or had reinforced for me on my running journey.

Just Get Started

When you're thinking about doing something new or looking to change something that you're currently doing it can be easy to overthink it. The classic paralysis by analysis. Not to sound like a Nike ad, but Just Do It! Because guess what? You don't have to have all the answers right away. The most important thing is to just get started and you'll more often than not figure it out along the way and find you're more capable than you thought. This is applicable in your personal and professional life. That nervous, sometimes scary, feeling of beginning something new is natural for most people. It's called growth. It should scare you a bit. Grab hold of it and just go.

Take Different Paths

I don't do indoor/treadmill running unless the weather or other conditions absolutely force me to. A saying I picked up from my brother, an avid cyclist: Outside is free. And I would add to that, freeing. I think there's something wonderful and exciting in exploring new paths and ways of doing things. I travel frequently - correction, used to - and one of my goals in every place I visit is to get in a run. It's a great way to explore your environment and make discoveries you might not have otherwise. Tangential to that, there are many examples of successful companies that started with one path and either by accident or on purpose went down a different path(s) that ultimately led to their success. And without a doubt, there are countless personal stories that have produced similar results. The best is yet to come, if you're willing to go where you've never been.

Enduring & Embracing Being Uncomfortable

When I started running routinely, I was sore all the time. Often for days on end. I had to learn how to distinguish between good pain and bad pain. Good pain was, being sore because I was working muscles that just weren't used to being put to work like that. Bad pain was, my heels feeling like Achilles' must have after being shot through by an arrow because I wasn't wearing the right shoes for proper support. I did my research and testing to find the best running shoes for my feet to take care of the bad pain. And I started a daily stretch and foam roller session to help me with the good pain. And most recently, yoga. The lesson here being, don't ignore the bad pain and learn to work through the good pain. Real progress and success don't occur without pain, because it's just hard. And if it's worth doing, it's worth the struggle.

Track Your Progress

How do you know you're doing well with what you're doing? This can either be objective or subjective, or both, depending on what you're referencing. As it pertains to my pursuit of doing my best running Forrest Gump impression, it's a mix of both. I use the Nike Run Club (NRC) app to track my runs. It's been great for me because you can sign up for weekly/monthly challenges, sign up to run with friends, and they've gamified it to make it more fun and interactive. Subjectively, since I've started running regularly both my mind and body feel better and it has helped me better stay present and focused. All that to say, whatever it is that you are undertaking it's important to be able to measure what matters to you in terms of defining success.

Slow it Down

Part of my running routine includes taking my dog BB with me a couple times a week. She's a great running partner, even though she hasn't quite learned how to pace herself yet. But what she's taught me is, don't forget to stop and take in all the smells and sounds around you. (I thought 'smell the roses' was too cliched here and what she smells is anything but roses if you catch my sniff). In other words, being present and more connected to what's around you. It doesn't always have to be a race. We live in a world of non-stop deadlines, instant notifications, and incessant inboxes. I think it's quite powerful and liberating to take our time and be still. It helps us realize what's actually important in our lives. It helps us take a step back to practice self-care, especially during these unprecedented times where many people everywhere are suffering from a number of different ailments.

I hope everyone stays safe and sane during this time. Take care of yourselves and each other. Thanks for reading!