2012 in review. What I learned from & while running.
"Know Thyself"
This is probably one of the most under-appreciated worthy goals in life and one of the last things I thought I'd get from running. The goal of knowing ourselves should be up there with winning a noble prize. When I first started running, I still was a bit discriminating against it. My perception was still that it was a mind-numbing boring activity, so I'd take my audiobook with me and listen to it as I ran. However, after some problems with my smart phone I saw myself forced to run without it. This left me alone with my thoughts and it would allow my mind to be aware of what was going on in the moment. This is much harder because you are aware of every twitch, every discomfort, your heavy breathing, etc.It is in these moments that I found the ability to get to know myself a bit more. I was able to talk to myself as if I was crazy and talk myself into not quitting. I learned that I can be pretty stubborn if I want to and pretty daring as well. You don't really get to find out what you are made of until you put yourself in a situation where there is no other option but to break past your limits. Running will do that for you. I guarantee it. All the way to the bank.
Breaking past one limit gives you courage and hope to go for another one. You do this enough and pretty soon it starts bleeding into the other areas of your life. If you could break a physical barrier, why not a mental one? Why not in your career? You really can learn a lot about yourself when you run.
Running = One less resolution
Running has never been a goal or resolution for me. However, I have been wanting to trim down, increase endurance, get stronger and improve cholesterol - get in shape, basically. It would be in my goals every January. I started running in May 2012 and I am happy to say that even though I am not at the ridiculous physical shape level I want to be, "getting in shape" is not one of my resolutions this year. This is for 2 reasons:1. I did trim down almost to where I want to and I am in good shape. I got my strength, endurance and better cholesterol levels.
2. I know that as long as I keep running this year, I will get to where I want to be. No question. Not a doubt in my mind.
Being skinny or Being lean and healthy? Which one is more important? I say this as a real question, which one is more important to you? I'll tell you, for me the second one is far more important. Being skinny is only as important as how healthy you are. I have never been too tempted by pills or the latest diet because I know they don't work, or at least they don't work permanently. Today, I'm not even curious.
But now it's from a different perspective. They still aren't attractive to me, but for different reasons; I mean why go that route when there's a much better, better for you, much healthier and a more permanent solution? Sure it takes more work, and sure it's uncomfortable but so it is trying to put stuff into your body to simulate, trick and stimulate your system into doing something. Now when I look at things like Hydroxycut and other acclaimed "weight loss pills" I just look at them and think "why? no thanks! I'll use that money for new shoes!"
Being lean and healthy is much better than being skinny. Skinny can be ugly, too. Be lean, healthy and strong, because that is the best version of you. Don't worry about looking like someone else. You'll always be better, happier and more appealing when you are at your best. Can you imagine a VW beetle trying to be a truck? We all have traits and quirks only we can make look good and can look good in. Run and get all this.
In a way, running has helped me be happier with me. It has taught me that I can improve at anything I want, any time, if I really want it and if I put some effort into it. It has taught me that our mind is the strongest organ in our body, but it can be mastered and made to obey our will.
Nutrition becomes easier. If you want to eat better run. Running will let you know how well you do. Of course, it's kind of silly to say that you'll go running only to find out how sick you get. That's no fun. But as you run, you'll learn that certain foods do keep you from running well, so you'll eat less of them (meats and greasy/oily foods for example). You'll find how other foods fuel you and keep you light, just the way you want to feel. Then you'll eat more of those, and that "diet" is the only diet you should be following. Believe me, when you run, you'll eat better. And because you run and eat better you don't have to be so crazy about controlling every piece of food that goes in your mouth. That's probably been my favorite perk.
For a long time I was almost hooked on energy drinks. Once I started running I knew I couldn't keep it up. Running can dehydrate you without the added heavy caffeinated contents of energy drinks and shots. So I stopped and focused on running and eating right. My mind was clear all the time. I didn't need an energy shot to un-fog my brain. The funny thing is, as soon as the weather brought me nasty air, I didn't run much for almost 3 weeks, and I was back to the shots.
The human body can do amazing things... if we try. Running in single digits cold weather, ice and snow covered ground, things you'd think the body is not meant to do, the body can do. In the book which inspired me to start running Born to Run, Chris McDougall speaks about how humanity started to decline when we stopped running and parked in front of the TV. And I think he might be more right than we realize.
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