Your legs tense, breathing gets heavier, and you just can’t wait for a break but the finish line is so close your adrenaline kicks in and says you can do this. Then, when you finally cross, it’s like a weight lifted off of your shoulders and your heart swells with pride for your achievement – another in pursuit of your goals. It’s a mindset a long-distance runner knows well.
My dad started running with me when I was in elementary school. He would take me around the block and to other neighborhoods in our little city. I watched him cross the finish lines of the Walt Disney World and Boston Marathons when I was too young to remember. One thing I always wanted to do was run the races myself – just like he did.
Before my sneakers ever hit the pavement, I learned that hard work and perseverance pay off. All I had to do was watch him and my mom clock in miles and smile at the end, race or no race. They were (and still are) two of the most ambitious and dedicated parents I know and I’ve always admired them for fulfilling personal goals. I wanted to be like that.
I laced up for my first race in middle school and came out with an exemplary finish. It excited me so I signed up for more. Throughout my youth my mom and I placed in races together, I had a few 1st and 2nd place finishes for our high school team and I checked off many PRs but I also faced bad races where I performed at my worst and battled against injuries. The training taught me many things – discipline and acceptance being two of the most important.
Even when you have gone as far as you can, and everything hurts, and you are staring at the specter of self-doubt, you can find a bit more strength deep inside you, if you look closely enough.
~ Hal Higdon, American Writer & Runner
You likely won’t reach your fastest time until you’ve stuck to a training plan and focused on proper nutrition. Those things make all the difference when you decide you want to join the running community. Practices and admiration for faster runners push you to work harder. It makes the statement hard work pays off feel real. You learn that not everyone can win but everyone can define their own mark of success.
One thing you feel when you cross the finish line is a sense of fulfillment. You have worked for this and can see the result. More importantly, you have learned that you can do more than you think. We often hold ourselves back thinking that’s too hard or I don’t think I could ever do that when the reality is we are just scared. There is no shortcut to success which is why putting in the time and dedication never lets you down. You become one person in a community of many who can finally say I did that and nobody can tell you no.
The qualities you develop as a runner are earned, not given. The ones that stand out most to me and that I feel I have gained are the following:
- Resilience
- Strength
- Confidence
- Self-Acceptance
- Passion
- Optimism
Depending on when you start and where the journey takes you, your takeaways might be different. It’s important to remain open-minded and focus on what means the most to you.
My honest advice for aspiring and current runners
Running could be your outlet for a better mindset. We are all unique and have backgrounds and skillsets that we cannot compare. Focusing on your personal goals is what will help you to succeed in training. As I mentioned before, race or no race, finishing a run with a smile means that it is more than just ‘exercise’ to you – it’s a solace.
I can’t force myself to get out and run because my attitude will guarantee me a negative experience and a poor finish time. A positive attitude is what will take you the furthest. Running is a sport that requires you to have an open mind and is enhanced by optimism. Like the age-old tale says, your WHY will always push you further.
So, take a few minutes to write down what you want to get out of the experience. You are the creator of your success and can also create change where you desire.
Read more from the #BeWell series next Friday