“This is playing in my sweet spot”, I immediately thought.
My reasons for running are about the benefits of health ..
for me, and for others.
So I share this list with you today. And I couldn’t let the
opportunity go by without adding some of my own thoughts as well (in
italics).
These are powerful words indeed.
And to illustrate it I’ve added some photos of some recent
running activities.
10 LESSONS RUNNING
TEACHES YOU ABOUT LIFE
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| This is running to bond, share the sun, get some space from exams, and chat about the problems of the world. Little distance, slow pace, big enjoyment. |
1. When things get tough,
just keep going.
When most people
encounter a rough patch, they quit. The truly successful people in the world keep going no matter what. Never let your
setbacks win.
Great
runners – and great people never give up. Meb Keflezighi could have given up at
the London Olympics but he didn’t – and finished 4th, or at the New
York Marathon – where he finished 20th – but he ‘won’ more acclaim
for that than any of the other medallists!
2. Consistency creates
habit.
To incorporate anything
into your life, you have to make it a habit. To make something a habit,
you have to be consistent. Whatever it is you’re aiming for, make it a part of
your life.
Be
intentional. Or let the waves of life carry you wherever they wish.
3. You’ll have to get
through hell before you get to heaven.
Like all things worth
pursuing, you are going to get knocked down, stepped on, and rejected along the
way. Consider this to be part of the path to your goals. Sometimes it’s more
about the journey than the destination.
It’s always more about the journey than the destination. Find enjoyment in travelling rather than achieving.
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| And we're off........ This is running to compete, to test yourself, to have a red hot go. |
4. Reaching your goals will
take a lot of work.
If it doesn’t, it’s
either not a goal, not worth pursuing, or will not have any fulfilment. Never
expect to not put in work and get somewhere.
A sense of entitlement will never provide joy – only a desire to
want more. For free.
A sense of hard work – with no entitlement – brings the best
results every time.
5. Every aspect of life is
mental.
It’s not about what you
do or what happens to you, it’s about how to respond to it. It’s how you decide
to carry on. Your power comes from inside your head.
6. You do have time– you
just have to make it.
If something is important
to you, you’ll make time for it. If not, you’ll make excuses.
Your heart is where your time is.
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| This is running with your family. Who cares about tempo, heart rate, pace or anything .... |
7. You define your own
limits.
Your limits aren’t put
unto you by your parents, other people, or the universe. You are in total
control of it. You decide whether or not to shoot for the moon or stay right
where you are.
8. If you wait for the right
conditions, you’ll never get anything done.
Don’t wait for anything
or anybody. You know what you have to do to reach your goals and get things
done. Just go do them!
9. Go beyond your limits
every day and watch the magic happen.
You’ll be amazed at what
you can achieve if you just push yourself a little further.
If I train on Christmas Day while others are
eating too much. If I run 5.5km today, not just 5. If I tell my kids I love
them an extra time today. If I commit to encouraging that staff member today.
If I ….
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| This is a surprise benefit of running. Sharing the podium with your son. Again, who cares about podiums when you're sharing health and happiness with your family. |
10.There is peace even in
the most chaotic times.
No matter now gruelling,
stressful, sorrowful, or painful your situation is, there is always a silver
lining and something positive to be found. Seek it out, learn from it, and keep
moving on.
But true peace only comes
from one source. And its not you.
