Running, work and what I learnt...

Wow, what an 8 weeks that was!

When I first started running again in the late summer, I thought it would be another means of breaking up the rigour of “HIIT” with the gyms closed and no end in sight as to when they would open again.

However, as my times started to come down, my technique getting better and overall fitness increasing, I started to take things more seriously.

With the Christmas break round the corner, I spoke with an old friend (and running coach) about the prospect of taking on a running programme that would get me under the 40-minute mark over 10km (previous best 41:31).

After discussing my running, amount, time, distance etc, we devised a plan specific to me and the 1st February was our “go-live” date.

Trust me, there were plenty of days when I really didn’t want to go out and in the back of my mind, had every excuse under the sun – its dark, its cold, its early, I’m tired, I’ve a little niggle in the back of calf…

But every single session, I completed, with miles in "the bank" and the after-feeling of elation, the important part.

8 weeks down the line and having completed what I set out to do, I couldn’t be happier.

It’s onto a new set of challenges now and looking back, there are many things I can relate back to from a work perspective;

Having a great mentor/mentee relationship.

Relationships are crucial and perhaps, more so than ever been before. Having someone that is going to invest the time in you, is worth its weight in gold, make the most of them.

Trust the process.

I hadn’t the experience of my running coach and occasionally, questions were brought up due to uncertainty. Knowing in advance I wouldn’t reach my goal overnight, helped me to grasp a better understanding as to what I was being told, why and the outcome, whilst gaining confidence at the same time. Think of each day/week as the building blocks to the castle...

Learn from experience.

I’ve done running. However, I didn’t really think much about it, nor did I have any key takeaways to actually think about. Mindful on the new goals and looking back on my runs and the weeks that passed, I was able to gain new knowledge as to where I can do better, how I can do it and visualising for the next time out.

Rest is just as important as the work itself.

Wow, I don’t think I’ve heard a truer statement during this pandemic (yes, I said the “p” word). Lifestyles have shifted in the space of a generation and you know what, its likely to stay for some time. There is only one of you and you can work as hard, as fast as you like for a year, perhaps even two or three, but its likely there will be consequences in the long-run. Be mindful of this in and out of work.

There may never be perfect conditions (... But don't let this hold you back).

The sun may not shine every day, the road may not be even, there may be hills to climb more often than not, but you know what, that’s life. I don’t think there has been many athletes/CEO’s that have climbed the ladder without testing times in their careers. Embrace them, learn from them, improve on next time.

Breaking your goals down into more manageable segments.

We all have long term aims with our children, work, holidays, mortgages and its completely normal to look ahead, it’s in our makeup. But there are somethings completely out of our hands which we cannot affect by the “here and the now”, we need to be aware of these also.

To overcome long periods without any tangible ROI, we can set short-term goals that will lead to those more consistent, "little wins", meaning more endorphins being released, more regularly. These goals will hopefully lead to our long-term aims, whilst keeping our mental health and wellbeing in check at the same time.

Final words...

This type of training has taught me a huge amount and for anyone that’s interested in taking up running more seriously, I can’t begin to thank or recommend Brian Stopher enough for his training methods as I’ll be taking many of these forward.

Look after yourselves and wishing you all the best with your goals for the year and beyond...

Joel