Some of my experiences with running

I like running.

Not only are there the physical and mental benefits of running.

But there’s also the progress.

It’s quite an easy thing to track progress with, either you’re tracking your average pace, or you’re seeing that you are able to run longer distances each time.

But the progress isn’t instant. It takes time. You have to build up your body, your strength, your ability. But it happens, as long as you are consistent.

Sometimes you do beat your personal best, either on purpose or as a happy accident and you know you are becoming a better and more able runner.

Sometimes you run longer distances and know you can push your body further than you previously thought.

Running has helped me take a few key lessons into every other part of my life.

Let’s Start With Consistency

As we all know, if you are consistent with something then you are most likely going to continuously improve.

But this improvement is slow and you have to be pateint. You have to stay committed and think about the bigger picture. You know that in the back of your mind that if you stay consistent, you will be able to run a 5K faster, or run a marathon. And it’s the same with anything else.

You may start out by plucking a few chords on a guitar. But with consistency, a few weeks or months down the line you can play an entire song.

You start learning a few words in another language, and with consistency you can string together sentences and hold a conversation.

It’s with consistency where we grow the most, it just takes time, but eventually you will be able to see that progress and the fruits of your labour.

Next Is Speed

Sometimes you will run the fastest you have ever ran.

Sometimes you start your run with a goal of beating your personal best.

But sometimes just getting outside and going for a run is all you need.

You’re still moving, that’s the important thing. You didn’t take the day off, you didn’t stand still. You may not be going as fast as you usually go, but you can’t always go at the same speed. Sometimes you just need to slow down and breathe.

It’s the same with anything. Perhaps you are writing a book and for the last week you’ve been smashing out 2,000 words a day. But one day you only get out 1,000. That’s fine. Because that’s 1,000 more words than you would have done if you hadn’t written anything today. You kept going no matter what, you just did it at a slower pace. Tomorrow you will probably hit 2,000 again, you just needed a slower day.

As long as you are still moving, the speed doesn’t really matter.

The tortoise won the race even though the hare should have won. You can run at the speed of the hare and slow down at times to the speed of the tortoise. Just don’t fall asleep like the hare did, that’s when you lose.

Finally I’ll Mention The Journey

I never thought I liked running. My friend went running a few times and I didn’t get it. I hated it at school and, though I tried a few times, I could never just start on my own.

Until February this year when I did exactly that. I just started.

I didn’t put any pressure on myself, my first run was only 5 minutes long, and each day I gradually increased that as long as I felt comfortable doing so.

What I realised on my run today was that I had been listening to either music or podcasts for the majority of my runs. I had been focused on reaching a certain distance or attempting to keep up a certain pace.

But today I removed that. I took out my earbuds and I told myself that I don’t care about what speed I run or distance I make, I’m going to just run.

Gary Vee always mentions about enjoying the process. If you don’t enjoy the process, is it the right thing for you?

I enjoy running, I just had to take away the distractions to remember that. Once I did, I focused on my running. I focused on putting one step in front of the other. I enjoyed the journey I was taking myself on.

If you’re learning a language, forget about how you say some words wrong, forget about the fact that some words just aren’t sticking in your mind. You’re learning a new language. It’s difficult, it’s new and it can be scary — at least when you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position of not knowing — so give yourself a break and enjoy the process of doing. Enjoy the process of being.

The next time you attempt something, or work on a project or a business you are starting, remember these three things: · Be consistent · Speed doesn’t matter · Enjoy the process and journey

I know they will take you far.