These five things may be what running has taught me, but they apply to most areas of our lives: for weight loss, for school, for your job — seriously, anything life throws at you, running can teach you how to handle it.
Today the subject from Cynthia from You Signed Up for What?, Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, and Mar from Mar on the Run and the Friday Five Linkup is fitness.
Trust the process
Training for a race is definitely a process. No matter how long that race may be.
I’m not always good at trusting the process during the process — I get down on myself if I don’t hit the paces I’m aiming for; I feel like I’m not improving; I feel blindsided by setbacks, even though they’re normal.
That’s something I need to come to terms with.
I do trust the process when I toe the start line (unless injured). By then I know I have done my work, and I trust that it will bring me through the race.
Bad things can happen, I realize that. And even if I’ve done the work, sometimes conditions will rob me of the outcome I’m hoping for.
But I feel ready, prepared, and able.
Small steps, Ellie
Improvement in running rarely comes in leaps and bounds, so to speak. It can be a matter of seconds. And it can take months to see a few seconds improvement.
If you trust the process (there it is again!), yes, you will be rewarded.
It’s never as bad as you think it is
Well, sometimes it really is.
Most of the time, on the other hand, it’s not as cold as you think it is. It’s not as hot as you think it is. The workout isn’t as tough as you’ve made it out in your mind to be.
So turn your mind off and just step out your door, and in those famous Nike words: just do it!
The right equipment makes everything better
The right shoes.
The right socks.
The right fabrics.
The right fuel.
The right hydration.
There will be good days and bad days
No matter what equipment you have, no matter how mentally prepared you are, no matter what the weather is — there will just be good runs and bad runs.
Accept that it’s, yup, you got it — part of the process.
Do you trust the process?
Ahh, accepting the process. This is so true and especially for older runners. If you read any running magazine or book, after age 40, our races times will gradually increase. However, I like to think that some of us can still improve with hard work!
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Since I didn’t start running until almost 50 . . .
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Ah, so true! I would add that you can’t cheat the process – if you skip those drills you won’t get faster. 😉
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Some of us don’t get faster if we do the drills, grumble, grumble.
Which isn’t true, actually, but it goes back to that small steps point!
You’re right, of course, you’ve got to do the work. Talent only gets you so far.
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I have all the right equipment except healthy feet…ugh.
I do struggle with trusting the process, but I learned this past year I don’t need to worry do much about missing a run or not hitting my goal pace – I can still enjoy myself just being out there.
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I’m getting better at it, but I still struggle with throwing in extra rest days when I need it.
But I did just that this week.
A couple more weeks til you see the doc, right?
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Small steps indeed and patience! It’s true you are never as bad as you think you are. Good lessons for new runners.
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Actually, I meant that things like the weather is never as bad as we think it is (like I’m kind of procrastinating today cause it’s cold and windy) — but that’s a good one!
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Absolutely agreed! Running requires so much patience and you really summed it up well – trust the process!
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Thank you!
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I definitely agree. Trusting the process can be very hard! Especially when setbacks come, I start to rebel against my training a bit and assume that I am doing something wrong. Trust and perseverance are definitely the way to get you though. It is always colder than I think it is, though. Haha! 🙂
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Usually I find it’s really not as cold as I’ve made it out to be in my mind!
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Yes and this process takes time. Some may have a natural talent for running but I am not one who does so I definitely have to put in time and work for it!
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I most definitely do NOT have natural talent when it comes to running! Any improvement is hard fought for.
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You are so right about turning off your mind and just doing it! Don’t even think, just get dressed and get out there and trust that you will figure it out on the road, whether it’s the weather or lack of motivation. And another ‘yes!’ to the proper gear! Makes all the difference. Happy running to you!
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I’m good at psyching myself out sometimes. Yes, we need to trust the process and we will get through it.
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Sometimes I need to remind myself to trust the process, but for the most part I do. 🙂 Posts like this are a good reminder!
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Trusting in the process is always hard. It’s hard to see the forest through the trees, so to speak. But, when things click, it’s so rewarding.
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I do trust the process. I’ve actually never doubted it. I must be one of the few ones! And I totally agree about the right equipment — it makes such a huge difference!
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Funny, like I said, once I’m at the race, I totally trust the work I’ve done.
During training, though, I worry that I’m pushing too hard, or not enough, or will have great training but a poor race, and on and on.
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I agree.
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For sure, I’ve learned to trust the process. My coach’s methods might not be orthodox, but man, they are effective!
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All that matters is that you are happy with them, Wendy! I truly don’t believe there’s a right or wrong way to train, only the right way for YOU.
Maybe someday I’ll hire a coach (it seems really trendy!), but for now, I’m still experimenting on my own.
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Yes, I trust the process. Its like life. There will be ups & downs but tomorrow is another chance for things to be great.
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Love that attitude, Karen!
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yes, trust the process 😉 I’m always amazed how much non-running training helps with the running process as well. As they say, it’s a marathon, not a sprint (sorry for the obvious metaphor) 😉
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Yes!! Right equipment is so important – this list is spot on! 🙂
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