The first lesson running has taught me or at least reinforced with me is to have a plan. I started running rather late in life, or rather, I started running and stuck with it rather late in life. I had started running on several occasions going all the way back to High School. But, after each attempt at running I always felt that it was too jarring for me. And especially after a day or two, when my hamstrings burned, my knees ached, and my calf’s screamed in agony with each step I took, I concluded that running just wasn’t for me. Why would it be for me or anyone for that matter, with all that pain? “No pain, no gain,” just wasn’t for me.
Maybe it was because I was older this last go around, that I figured I should read what experts had to say about running. So, I picked up a running magazine and started to read up on the sport. I came across two guys who have guided me through the past 3 ½ years without too many aches and pains; however they have given me enough encouragement to keep me out there, running longer and longer distances. In the pages of Runner’s World, I stumbled across John “the Penguin” Bingham, and Jeff Galloway. They are a perfect combination for me: I waddle like John, and the run/walk system proposed by Jeff has kept me on the road for all this time. I’m sure I would have given up on the sport, like in year’s past had I not found that speed, and/or constantly running are not essential parts of enjoying the run and being part of the larger running community.
I used their plans to train for my first 5K back in July of 2007. And I’ve used their plans to train for everything in between, including my current program to get me through my first full marathon this coming December. Without a plan, I would be running/training by feel. I don’t think that would be quite as effective.
I also sought the guidance of local experts. The guys at my favorite running store, Breakaway Running are runners. They are serious runners who compete in local races and even in the Boston Marathon. But they welcome in waddler’s like me as if I was Ryan Hall. A funny thing about them: they are not sales people. They are runners who love running, and love sharing the running experience with all kinds of runners, run/walkers, and walkers. Their goal doesn’t seem to be to make the sale; their goal always seems like they want you to get the most enjoyment out of running with the shoes, or shorts or shirt, or whatever you walk out of their store with. The guys and gals at Breakaway sponsor clinics and weekly training group runs to guide and help people of all talents and abilities develop into the best runners they can be. I’m sure there are Breakaway stores all over the world helping runners along their particular path.
So, why would anyone consider attempting anything of significance without a plan? A business would never go to the bank for a loan, or attempt to start a business without a solid business plan in place. One wouldn’t build a house without blueprints. Who would set out on a long journey without a plan; even if you knew the route, you’d still have to plan for stops along the way to refuel the car, maybe stop overnight, or at least stop for meals. A plan is simply essential to any long term endeavor. And isn’t life a long journey, a long term endeavor?
If you have a plan in place for your marathon training, and you follow a plan in your business, what plan or program are you following in your life? Do you have an expert to help mentor you along the journey of life? As I have mentioned before about the 3 legged stool, life must be treated as one of those legs; so if you are planning your runs, your meals, vacations, money for the kid’s college, your business,…whatever, you need to have a plan, with experts in your life, in order to keep it all in balance.
My Christian faith tradition includes an enormous library of directions, guides and information from the Bible, the early Church Fathers...and Mothers, to spiritual writers and mystics down through the centuries. Some of my favorites include Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Kathleen Norris, Paul Coutinho, Joyce Rupp, James Martin, Thomas Keating, among many, many others. I also visit with a Spiritual Director whose gentle guidance helps me stay on the right path. And I belong to a larger Faith Community that encourages and nourishes me in my faith journey.
My spiritual life and running life have many similarities: I have a plan, I have a mentor, and I am energized by the larger group. I hope today your spirits are given the attention they need to help you in your marathon of life.
I love "the plan". Like you, I started running consistently later in life (in my case, 36). Unlike you, I was never a runner before, except as a means to an end (basketball). Occasionally I'd see other people posting about running and try to get up and run...and fail, because I really had no motivation to get up early and suffer.
ReplyDeleteThen my sister-in-law asked me about doing a 5K with her, and I agreed. Went home, bought the Couch to 5K app, and I was off. Having the structure of a plan made all the difference to me. I ran so I could check off that day's workout. And when I got to a workout I didn't think I could do, I figured, Well, the plan says I can, and I've been able to so far. Plans have carried me through my first 5K, my first 10K, and my first half marathon, and you can bet I'll have a training plan for my marathon next May! :)