So, officially it was Spring Day in the Southern Hemisphere yesterday, 1 September. However, it was more of an Autumnish day in reality with the sky being somewhat grey and gloomy looking with some light rain. But mentally, for me, a new season has started.
In March this year I started a beginner running program as well as joined a running club. It’s still surreal that I can call myself a runner. I completed the 3-month program. Completed the 10km graduation race and subsequently signed up for a second 10km which I completed as well. But in the last 3 weeks – I have only managed on average to do one run a week. A far cry from when I was averaging at least 3 training sessions per week during the peak of the program. But here is the thing with running. It’s always there. Albeit that you must start off slowly again if you have been less than consistent with your training. And even seasoned runners tell you. Each and every run is different.
Anything can happen.
Depending on what you ate. On your mood. On how much sleep you got. Your body can just decide. “I’m gonna make your legs extra heavy today!” or “How about a nice stitch in your side?”. Or, “That spicy lunch you ate, well, I think I am going to revisit it while you’re running!” Worse still – your body can trick your brain into believing what it wants to do. But as we know, running is a mental game. Not that your body is the enemy, its your mind that has to actually put in the training when it comes to running. And I am sure, with any sport. Sure, you can have physical ailments and injury niggles that should stop you from running or make you take special precautions, but most of the times, your mind is the thing that gets you through a run.
I started running mostly because I wanted to try a little experiment. Earlier this year I read about how you have to be consistent and put in the work and the daily practice with regard to changing habits and goals. The thing I had to learn though and remind myself is that you also have to own the label/persona. For a long time, I would have discussions with people who were runners and then somehow they would say they were going for a run. And automatically I would say, oh that’s nice. Forgetting completely that I too can now call myself a runner. And that was quite the eye-opener for me in that if we truly want to change our habits or achieve new goals and milestones – we have to adopt the mental mindset and attitude of that thing we went to be. Not one day maybe… but today and every day.
You put in the work every single day. You don’t decide I will be a runner tomorrow. Nope. You start with one foot in front of you each and every single day. Whether you actually run every day or not – but you are now a runner. And consistently finishing runs and training towards races all builds and reinforces your character as a runner.
So, for me, I am going to reinforce my newly formed persona again tonight. By doing what? Beginning again. You begin each day, but with each day you make a little bit more progress. You get a little better and if you lucky, a little faster. But – it’s a process. And tonight, I am starting the official process again, by doing the Beginners Program. But this time. I am a runner.
MELODYZAR 