A runner's mind can either be their greatest asset or greatest liability.
It takes a runner's mindset to achieve incredible feats like running a marathon or fully committing to personal goals. This mindset is what transforms dreams into reality.
Reflect on your past self - there was likely a time when your current achievements seemed like distant dreams. If you had told me in middle school that I was going to be a runner, I would've laughed at you. There was nothing I liked about running! I could hardly run a 7-minute mile then; now, imagine telling me that I'd be running 5-minute miles for 26 miles. There was never an inch of me that would've believed you if you told me that I would do that.
But, here I am. At one point, I had an idea, and that idea evolved into a dream, and so I began leading my life to achieve this dream.
This is one of the many reasons why I'm passionate about running and runners in general.
However, the runner's mind doesn't always cooperate.
Dreaming big and setting out to achieve those dreams might seem easy at first. With motivation and discipline, it feels like nothing can stand in your way.
Equipped with unparalleled mental resilience, you're ready to push yourself to the limits, willing to do whatever it takes. I think we can all think of a moment in time when we were up at 3 am doing our long run while "the world was asleep" or hauling down a snowy-icy road, proud of your unwillingness to use the excuse of weather to derail your run. We're runners, most of us have been there.
But then, your body speaks up.
Progress stalls or even reverses. Injuries crop up, and you wake up feeling like you've aged overnight.
Yet, your determination remains steadfast. You push harder, doubling down on your efforts, only to encounter more setbacks.
What's going on?
The runner's mind, usually a source of strength, sometimes overlooks the limitations of the body. It may be ahead of the body by months or even years. While mentally prepared to give it all and do everything it takes, your body may protest.
Perhaps you're pushing beyond your current capabilities or overexerting yourself without reaping the rewards. Yet, despite warning signs, stubbornness prevails.
Then, inevitably, something gives.
Usually, it's the body that gives out first. And when the body falters, so does the mind. Motivation dwindles as injuries disrupt routines, and once attainable goals seem farther away than ever.
As a coach, seeing this breakdown is crushing. Losing an athlete to injury, knowing I played a role in their setback, weighs heavily on me. For many new runners, this experience drives them away from the sport. Nothing makes me feel worse than leaving a runner worse than they found me...
So. where do we go from here? What's there to be done?
I'll never tell a runner to give up on a dream. Never.
But what I will say is that it's important to take your time. Take care of your body. Keep your training in reach and don't ask for too much all at one time.
Your process is YOUR process.
Being all in is wonderful, I love that spirit, but be all in on respecting the time and discipline it also takes to make the change you're seeking.
If our goals are life-changing, our bodies are also going to change, and that takes A LOT of time!
Be fearlessly passionate, but respect the process ♥️
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