Rules to Run by
Looking back, I don’t remember a time in my life that I wasn’t physically active. Whether it’s football, running, martial arts or some level of weight training, physical exercise has always been a part of my life.
Since a young age, I took a particular liking to running. Growing up in a country famous for its long distance runners may have played a part, but as I grew older, the intimate, personal time I get to spend with myself while running has become more appealing as a reason behind my liking. In the process, I have been able to negotiate with myself a few rules to guide me through any practice or competitive run, and I decided to share three of them here, mainly out of sheer curiosity of how many of you out there run by the same rules.
Rule #1: Be honest to yourself - If I set a time/distance goal before a run, I make sure to stick to it because my mind keeps score and my body always tries to keep me accountable. If I overrun a pre-planned distance/time, I’ll have that much less energy in my next session, or even worse, risk establishing a distrustful relationship with my mind/body if this is repeated over time. Running is as much of a mental effort as it is of physical, if not more. My body knows, so I stay true to it.
Rule #2: Carry the Cash - I never go out running without some amount of cash stashed between my shoelaces, except for when I am overly confident about a run or absolutely have to complete a distance/time goal (then I’ll have no choice but to). Speaking of stashing, shoelaces are a great place to carry room/car keys too.
Rule #3: Focus - If you’re a serious runner, this means no carrying your phone or a bottle of water for you. Even though I am not attempting a world record every time I set out, running at any pace has a meditative value for me. And the harder the run, the less energy my body and mind can spare other than on my pace, strides, breathing and establishing a rhythm between these three. Even through the pain, I look for less distractions so I can enjoy the rewards of a clearer mind and a smoother breathing afterwards.
What rules do you run by? Share them below.