Friday, November 22, 2013

10 lessons running teaches you about life

Recently, Dianne, my friend and fellow runner sent me a list of ‘10 lessons running teaches you about life’. 
“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
 
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.

 
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. 

        Bang. 100% right. The only way I have ever got ‘anywhere’ was by working hard.

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. 

 90% of marathoning is mental. The other 10% is mental too.

 

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.

 
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. 

 I never thought I might run New York, or Boston … twice!   Now I can dream about any event anywhere …. and who knows …

 

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! 

 Excuses are much easier than hard work.  Usually fear is lying underneath there somewhere saying “stop”.  Fear of what others might think or say. Fear installed subtlety from the enemy of our lives.

 

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 ….

 
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.

 

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