Hit the ground running

So, for a few years now my new year goal has been to take up running. Every January there is a surge in the sales of fitness gear. January is also a month when gyms record a huge spike in new members. Rightfully so, 'new year new me'.

Running has not been about a new me. It is one of those goals that I have held for a long time. For years now I started and failed. I read blogs on how to take up running, tried to get on to community runs, took a tutorial or two from friends, and after a few lame efforts by February or say March I gave up.

And then in 2019, in between two gigs with a lot of time on hand, and a desperate need for a win, I found my stride. In the endeavor to find my stride, I also learned or I would say revisited and remembered some long-forgotten lessons.

I revisited the goal with renewed determination and also with a plan. I started on the treadmill alternating between a slow jog and brisk walking. After weeks of safe indoor efforts, even with the determination, it took a lot of courage to go outdoors. I was reminded that like starting anything new, the beginning is slow and difficult. It is a change; a transformation and it will take time.

Patience, determination, and resilience help you move forward. Long-forgotten advice on resilience came back to me- every time you want to stop, look at how far you have come and how much progress you have made. And yes it helped, it not only inspired me to go further but also energised me.

Like any new task or project at hand preparation helps. The right shoes, adequate gear makes the run comfortable and easier. All the blogs I read, the information, data collected finally came of use at some point as I progressed. Contrary to what I thought, no information or knowledge acquired in previous attempts was a waste, and neither were the earlier attempts on running.

I remembered every experience builds you, and I fondly remembered an example of a journalist who became a stay at home Mum and went back to working for a local newspaper after many years. The first assignment that she was given was to cover a rash driving accident that had hurt a child. She was the only reporter who managed to speak to the Child’s Mum and the child. When she wrote her report she brought it to life and the report captured the child’s stuffed bunny. The editor asked- how did she get to know about the Bunny and it's name too? Yup, that was Mum experience in play. Targets are not absolute. Setting a target is important. Having said that no target is absolute, at times I reset my target, increased the distance, or cut it short. I listened to my body, the environment, and adjusted and reset as required.

I also remembered breaking the target to smaller chunks makes it more achievable and easier. We always say this so casually at work – let's break this task in smaller pieces and somehow forget to practice it outside of work?

And then remembering how important it is to have fun and look at what you are doing just as a goal. The music made the run easier and more fun, in fact at times exhilarating.

Detours and setbacks happen, be flexible. Sometimes I chose to stop to take in the view, tie a shoelace, or just had to as I listened to my body. At times I stopped/ slowed down to cross the street, on a traffic light, or as I made my way through the dog park. At times detours were a choice, at times they were a requirement. Nevertheless, every time I slowed down/ stopped, I resumed with renewed enthusiasm and commitment to achieve the target for the day.

I learned detours happen with road closures, crowds. Detours are good, they took me to explore new paths, see better views. Take detours in your stride.

Improvement happens with regularity and consistency. A regular path becomes easier, you know where best to cross the road, the uphills, and the soft ground. So, when you say hit the ground running at work, that because it’s a familiar path and you have run on it so many times you know how to. Optimise your time and potential. Move from the comfort zone to growth zone.

And when you achieve the runners high, you are in flow. Unstoppable, unbeatable enjoying the run and pace. The challenge is high and you have now the skill to match the challenge.

No, I am not half marathon ready, or even 10K ready yet, but I am running and loving it, and check boxing this life goal has given me a huge sense of accomplishment, pride, and renewed confidence. Confidence to do new things, confidence to chase dreams where I have tried, and tried and failed. Most importantly, I am not afraid to stand at the new start line now ( for anything!), I know it can be done.

On a separate note, I have to say unlike the pic below, there is no running away from your problems!