History and experience tell us that moral progress comes not in comfortable and complacent times, but out of trial and confusion
— Gerald R. Ford
It’s Wednesday word and this week the word is complacent.
I like the quote above; it’s so true for running, because I’ve found that often the most challenging training cycles result in the best races. The ones that go great? They often don’t seem to end well for me. But that’s not really what came to mind when I thought of complacent.
You don’t always get what you want . . .
It is so, so, so very easy to become complacent (showing satisfaction with one’s achievements). Although if you get to know me, you’ll find that I, like most runners, am rarely satisfied with my achievements.
We all know that tune: I should have pushed harder, I should have run faster, I should have run slower at the start, and so on and so forth.
Keeping it up
Except the definition of complacent that really hits home for me is lack of worry or caution. If you followed my blog this summer, you know that I struggled with my IT Band for a good portion of the summer. I dialed down my running when I had to, I worked on my strength training, I taped when necessary and I had a good outcome.
Finally it hasn’t been bothering me at all.
So it’s really easy to skip those post run exercises when I’m in a rush. That yoga that I know really helps can be hard to squeeze in and gets pushed aside because I don’t have enough time, or I just forget about taping for a long run.
So there you go: I am getting complacent about my body, i.e., a lack of caution, and while sometimes not being cautious is a good thing, this is one time I know that it isn’t.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ is the slogan of the complacent, the arrogant or the scared. It’s an excuse for inaction, a call to non-arms
— Colin Powell
Do you find yourself skipping things when you’re rushed?
Chocolaterunsjudy 
I guess I’m a little complacent about my recovery work–stretches and such. I should know better, right? But it isn’t as exciting as going for a run…
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Yup, gotta get the run in, but easy to skip all the little extras. Because we don’t have time — until we’re injured & then sometimes we have all the time in the world while we can’t run!
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I am fanatical about the prep work for running and also the post work. Complacent? Not one bit. I stretch and do strength work for a half hour six days a week (one rest day), dynamic stretches before running, cool down walk then stretching after. Yoga and foam roll a few times a week. Check. Check. Check.
The only times I have not stretched before or after a run are the two or three times I’ve forgotten in the excitement or nervousness of being in an event. (Once a pre-run dynamic, twice post run stretch). Yes, so out of the ordinary that I remember.
My husband told a friend this weekend that I am extremely regimented. That is an accurate assessment. 🙂
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I’m pretty good about before, it’s mostly after that I skip sometimes.Usually it’s because I need to walk the dogs, or I’m starving & need to eat.
Occasionally I don’t do my pre run warmup at shorter races or when I’m with a group, but even then I’m usually pretty good about it.
I can be very regimented about some things, more go with the flow about others.
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Yup. I totally identify.
I can get very complacent especially if I have a fast time in a race. I’ve never stretched before or after nor do I strength train. I’m not sure if that I’m lazy or too busy. I think it’s the latter. I feel I am always squeezing runs in before, after or during work. Even races…I usually need to add miles after for a long run. Luckily my being complacent hasn’t results in aches and pains.
When I was recovering from my broken ankle, I faithfully did all the PT and all my exercises. I wanted to heal and get back to walking and eventually running. The same with my strained achilles. Now those are distance memories and I am complacent again.
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I think we all get complacent with our bodies and doing the exercises we need to do to keep them injury free.
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I am pretty complacent about strength training (as in I don’t do it!). But for running, I think like most of us…I want more, more, more. Oh, I don’t do any post run stretching. Yikes!
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I like how strength training shapes my body. And that I can lift somewhat heavy things. It’s not just about muscles (or it is).
I enjoy stretching, love yoga, it’s a matter of fitting it in, of course.
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That my life lol I rush all my morning runs and cool downs. I try to make up for it by my gym sessions, I stretch a lot when I am warmed up and in between sets, but I know it is not good for me.
Glad the IT band is cooperating 🙂
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I do the same thing. When I’m feeling great, the cross training/stretching/yoga starts to slide. Then I come up with an injury, even a minor one, and realize all that other “stuff” is what was keeping me healthy!
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I guess it’s human nature!
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Oh, your point about skipping yoga when you know how good it is for you describes me perfectly! That, and foam rolling. I roll as a recovery on spots that are bothering me, rather than as a preventative measure all over.
Thank you for linking up!
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I’m actually pretty good about the foam rolling.And I love rolling my back — feels so good!
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I definitely skimp on stretching, rolling and yoga!
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I am very bad about skipping things or all-together forgetting them when I am rushed. Exhibit A: post-run stretching! I would do well to not become complacent about those type of things if I would like to run long term!
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I’m pretty good about stretching, but not always good about preventative exercises (leg lifts, clamshells, etc).
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