Before I began running, I considered myself a pretty strong minded individual. I coped well with many losses and challenges - meaning I never turned to unhealthy sources or lifestyles to dissolve my stress. When my father passed away in October 2010, I don't recall how I coped with my loss other than obsessing over his photos and our memories as a way of holding onto his existence. Now, I wish I'd had running in my life in those moments in need - but we're given what we need when we need it, and as runners we're lucky to have that on our side...
It's so cliche -and obvious - to state that 'everyone deals with changes, losses and transitions in their own way'. It may not be cliche to say that runners are a special breed of humans who find resiliency in their own progress and there's just something about us that sets us apart from those who aren't physically active.
We're by NO means better, stronger or tougher when it comes to dealing with the mud that life flings at us from time to time. I can attest to the fact that we're separated by one word - "ENDURANCE".
There are millions of amazing people out there who don't run and don't work out - yes, they're successful, ambitious and rise above oppression. Many of those people may have a different type of 'endurance' in their lives - maybe they swim, practice photography, knit, do yoga, work on their cars -- anything that provides an environment where they can clear their mind, wipe their slate clean and make better choices.
One of the ways running has mentally and emotionally changed my life was presenting hurdles and hills to overcome. As with anything in life, in running you often have to learn the best way to conquer a hill, incline, bad weather and just bad days when some routes are more tumultuous than others.
Runners often force themselves to overcome obstacles - run in frigid/burning temperatures, and we train at times and in places that challenge/test different muscles.
If there's anything that a runner has learned from training and trekking dozens of miles, it's that focus, modifications and believing we can push ourselves will help get us through tough situations.
There are a few running trails in my community along Brooklyn's Belt Parkway that were once the bane of my athletic existence! Each time I faced a certain incline or hill or distance, I would also face a new challenge of questioning how I would get past the obstacle. Again - as with ANYTHING in life, it's all about your approach and the way you view the obstacle.
Looking for a new job? Well, what are your obstacles and how can you work around them? What can you physically do change your fate and direction your life is heading?
I once faced 2 challenges at the same time in 2016 - finding a new job and saving money. Obviously, I needed a new job to save more money - but instead of just speaking repeatedly about what I needed to do, as I had for years and years, I decided to approach my job hunt the way I approached my running/training.
Baby steps - improve my resume, apply to industries where my skills would come in handy - and NEVER get discouraged by not making immediate progress (running teaches you this as well!). In years past, I hadn't applied so aggressively for other jobs because I'd been so "comfortable" at my job in the local community for 12 years. But everyone knows when it's time to push on and move forward!!
As my running became more important, so did my need to find better employment - and as I asserted myself, and slowly ran up inclines instead of sprinting and losing my wind, I learned that there is a process for reaching any destination and a patience you must have with yourself.
I actually got both jobs that I applied for in spring 2016 (one was more favorable than the other). After each interview, I went for a run and said to myself "You got this...you can do this!!!" I didn't set limits for myself and it took a lot of discipline to stay focused in both arenas - on the pavement and in the working world!
The "toughness" we get from running lies the challenge to better ourselves and teach our bodies/minds that it's okay to set the bar higher and prepare yourself for those 'uphills.'
Plenty of people who don't run have the mindset and motivation to push themselves, but I think many others who don't feel confident in their goals and getting over obstacles can benefit from some type of training that helps keep their eyes on the prize.
For me, the prize is always the "finish line" and completing more mileage or demolishing a race in better time.
No matter what is tossed at - or taken away from - me in life, the lessons learned from running remain a shining energy 'til the end.
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