Subscribe:Life Lessons From My Running Experiences – Part I
I don’t like running. Never have. This probably has to do with the fact that every time I run, I feel as if my heart is going to plop out. Heartbeats running fast, without pausing, without breathing; weaken me, make me dizzy. I can run but I severely dislike the breathless powerless feeling it leaves me with. Ask me to dance all day, walk all day, work all day and I will be ready for it that very instant. Running … bah! that doesn’t interest me.
But I wondered how would it be to run for 30 minutes at a stretch. How would it feel to be free, to fly – as those who run describe it. How would the runner’s high feel? How would the euphoria feel?
Curiosity, that’s the only reason why I picked running. I was curious about the experience of it. And I didn’t just want to wonder about running, I wanted to know.
The Couch-To-5k Running Plan
Every time I tried running, success elated me and failure pushed me back to frustration and strengthened my dislike for running. And then, I found C25K aka The Couch-To-5K running plan.
C25k has helped thousands of beginners to run 3 miles or 30 minutes in a span of 9 weeks (3.1 miles = 5 kilometers; hence 5k) . You give 30 minutes 3 days a week to this plan and within 2 months you would be running as promised. I looked at the plan – each day’s walking/running schedule given in detail – easy in the beginning and difficulty increasing a little each day/week. It looked tough but doable. Only 3 days a week for 2 months; I thought yeah, I could try this plan.
Life Lessons From My Running Experiences
As each running day went by, I realized that running is more than just a physical activity. For completing each run I have to use principles of living. Sometimes I learn from my runs some important lessons on living as well. Soon lessons on running better started influencing my life and lessons on living better started influencing my runs. To the point that I realized they both are the same – lessons on running or lessons on living … same thing.
First Lesson:
I was on treadmill. Walking as fast I could. Trying to build my stamina and strengthen my muscles. I wanted to run at least a minute at a stretch. That’s how much you need to be able to run on first week of C25k. Hence I was working on that. Diligently. And then on the treadmill next to mine a guy hopped in. And he ran double my speed. I thought it’s a sprint. He will soon stop. He kept going.
I thought o.k., it seems he must be running for a long time. But once I complete my C25k plan, I might be able to run this long, this fast as well. He increased his speed. Double my speed was his base running speed. Around triple my speed was his max running speed (could be more I don’t know).
I wanted to give in then. That very minute. I got too self conscious as I compared my speed and capacity to his. There is no way I could be as good as him I thought. My speed (read I) must seem lousy to him I thought. I felt miserable.
And then I caught myself doing this. And thought whoa! what am I doing? Just because some guy raced past me, I am thinking of quitting! Just because someone is way better than me, I am feeling bad about myself. That’s not me. And that doesn’t make sense at all.
I decided that moment to take inspiration from this comparison rather than get discouraged. This incident became an additional source of motivation for me. I aspire to run like him one day – run hard and fast and with ease (and may be race past someone like me someday 
).
Food For Mind:
- Has someone raced past you in life? How did it make you feel? And what did you do about it?
- Do you drop the activity that you are learning if you realize you might not be as good as someone else?
- Getting discouraged and getting inspired – both seem to be choices we can make from the same situation. Can you look back at a discouraging incident and turn it to an inspiring one?
- Comparisons are bound to happen. How do they affect you?
- Is there anything you don’t do or stopped doing because you were conscious of what others would think of you or how bad you are at it?
- What will you do differently if you know people aren’t going to judge you?
Take Home:
- That someone is better than you in some way, doesn’t mean anything. It doesn’t reflect on who you are at all.
- When you find someone better than you, get inspired not demotivated.
- Every incident which puts you down, can also lift you up – it’s a matter of perspective.
- If you think you are that important that people are going to notice everything you do and they will talk and think about it, you are sadly mistaken.
- What you do is none of other people’s business, what they think about you, is none of yours as well.
Next lesson coming soon. Would love to hear your thoughts on this one.
Like the article? Subscribe for Free Get new articles directly in your Inbox / RSS Reader.
Great post!
I find that how you approach almost any activity in life tells you a lot about yourself. Watch how someone makes a cup of coffee and you will probably get a lot of clues about how they live their life! Hence the quote “How do you anything is how you do everything”.
Good luck on the running goal, will be interested to see your progress!
.-= Kaizan´s awesome post ..How to Make Sure That Nothing Gets Between You and Your Good Habits =-.
Kaizan, that’s an interesting theory. And seems true. Our attitude towards life reflects from each and everything we do.
Hi Avani, I’m fat, so guess
However the rare occassions in which I can run past someone more than compensate. I suppose I’m used to be the last in a race, since I was a child so I tend to look at the bright side; finishing the race is a victory enough for me. Just choose the targets you can accomplish and leave the flying to the birds.
Miguel, you tried, that’s what counts. Finishing the race the is the most important thing. Everyone can’t be good at everything. That’s all right.
Hey,
Great article!!! As important as running is, most people (including myself) choose to ignore or procrastinate about the same. But as the saying goes ‘You can only take the horse to the water…..’, its the perogative of each individual to take up running (or any other activity for that matter). The advantages far outweigh its disadvantages. In the end its all about your determination to do it innit???
Good luck with your running. And i think i’ll start running myself as well!! Keep me posted.
.-= Kartik´s awesome post ..The Vodafone ‘Zoozoos’ =-.
Kartik, glad you liked the article. Yes, in the end it’s always up to you. Other people can’t run for you
Start running … even virtual company whilst running is wonderful.
It’s a great reminder to be YOUR best and compete with yourself.
I like the fact you turned it into inspiration and motivation. A friend of mine always challenged me when I found a good example, he would say be even better than that. I think it’s along the lines of Bruce Lee’s, “Aim past your target” approach.
.-= J.D. Meier´s awesome post ..Lessons Learned from the “Last Lecture” =-.
J.D., to have someone who pushes you to be/do better and better is great. Bruce Lee’s quote is good. Reminds me of one more quote ‘Aiming for the moon and missing it is much better than aiming for the ditch and hitting it’
Most people see themselves according to the eyes of other people. This is the reason why few people ever succeed in life. Only those who dare to stand and do what they want to do despite discouragement and criticisms from others manage to put themselves on top.
Walter, that’s so true. The only sure path to failure is trying to please everyone.
Hi Avani,
Comparing ourselves to others gets us no where, but maybe, depressed.
I love how you looked at the guy who is doing so well and using that experience to better yourself. Way to go, girl.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s awesome post ..Numbers – We Can’t Escape From Them =-.
Barbara, I like to stay away from comparisons as much as possible. What’s the point, no two people are same and shouldn’t even try to be.
Hi Avani,
This is so awesome that you’re attempting the C25K program! Keep with it and I know you’ll find success!!
And running IS like life. There are people all along the continuum. And whether we’re passing people, or people are passing us – that doesn’t matter – as long as we’re doing what feels right to us, and that it’s something we’re happy with. And that’s a good thought for me – when I’m out there running. And when I’m out there living my life.
.-= Lance´s awesome post ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
Lance, I read about C25K in one of your tweets (actually so many tweets that I simply had to check it out and got interested). So I should be thanking you
The program is fantastic. I am 4 weeks through the program. And am amazed with the progress I am making.
Running is like life … that’s a wonderful thought. Like life, the journey/experience is important. To each his own.
HI Avani,
This is a wonderful article. And so many lessons learned.
What fun you took up running and now are actually enjoying it. I walk….but like you hated running….i do not like it that much. But walking power walking and all that is to do with yoga..i am all for it.
But now…after reading this..i think i need to take up running too. Am all motivated after reading this.
And i hate this comparison business….gets us all upset unnecessarily
I prefer to think we each are unique and have something good to offer the society
.-= Zeenat{Psotove Provocations}´s awesome post ..What Each Must Seek{Inspirational Quote Of The Week} =-.
Zeenat, I am a big yoga fan as well (my entire family is). Have been doing yoga on off since last 5-6 years. Wanted to try something different just for fun. Hence took up running. I actually have my eye on quite a lot of exercise programs which I want to try out. But one at a time.
I can’t believe I am saying this .. but running is fun
Just start small and don’t over exert yourself – I did that every time I picked running prior to C25K. Didn’t go so well.
Oh…will be emailing you tonight
.-= Zeenat{Positive Provocations}´s awesome post ..What Each Must Seek{Inspirational Quote Of The Week} =-.
Nice post Avani.
I like this: ‘What you do is none of other people’s business, what they think about you, is none of yours as well.’
somewhere I have seen a similar quote :
“The people who matter don’t care and the people who care don’t matter”
Dileep, that’s a wonderful quote. Happy to know you liked the post.
This is very very interesting and so poignant to life every day.
The longest I think I ran last year without stopping was maybe 25 minutes. If I get up that high again this year, I’ll be very happy, or even running 20 minutes without stopping (with at least 5 minutes walking before and after running to lessen the chance of injuries,) it will be joyous to me.
Laura Wood raced past me and won Best Girl Camper 1974. I felt jealous. But I behaved better and won in 1975! (I forgot to look for that trophy while I was up at my parents’ place. Oh well, next year.)
I think I dropped Kung Fu because I thought I’d never be as good as the better guys. Yet, the schedule did not really mesh with our family’s life, so I’m not 100% sure about the feeling inferior thing. But in the future I go back to Kung Fu, I will be sure to be aware to not to let any comparison seep in.
Comparisons are not always easy for me. Last week I felt depressed when I popped into Dooce (whom I had basically stopped reading,) to see she had over 2700 comments on one single post. I didn’t actually read the post, I suppose one possibility would be to read the post and see what worked for her. That may bring inspiration.
But should I even be comparing the number of comments of my blog with another’s? Should I not be happy with the depth and sheer friendship on my blog than on a blog where there are very fewer actual friendships among the readers? Plus, Dooce suffers from chronic depression while I suffer from pretty-much chronic happiness. This post of yours tells me that what other people do does not reflect on me at all. I must remember to revel in the many many blessing in my life and concentrate on continuing to have fun posting and being creative on my blog and enjoying all my friends rather than wanting to have thousands of daily blog readers. (Thousands of readers might be nice tho.)
We’ll see what the future holds. I’ll keep trying to grow my blog.
As to turning bad into good, I guess you know already about how I got a shout-out from ProBlogger? A good example of how a negative comment left on my blog got me a linked mention in a top blogger’s post — quite a turn-around indeed.
Also… I did not win Best Blogger of Austin (from the readers’ poll of The Austin Chronicle,) this year and I felt bummed out a bit, but perhaps I can go to the website that won and maybe see what they are doing that I can learn from them and maybe make me a better blogger too. So I guess at this point, just having a better attitude about how I feel about not winning, is already a “win” for me.
And If I never win Best Of Austin in the Blogger category I’m sure it’ll inspire me somehow. You say every incident that puts me down, lifts me up in some way.
Finally, as to your points, that someone would judge me is mostly in my own mind anyway, which is true of most of us. Or maybe all of us.
And what wonderful comments you have here. Just to touch on a few I’ve read…
@Kaisan, I will now be watching myself as I make my next cup of coffee and see how I’m doing, seeing what kind of a person I am and what kind of life I’m living. I hope I rule I’m an okay sort!
@ Luis, it made me laugh for you to say you are fat. I’m sure you look just wonderful for you and that your beaming smile is just as great as a slimmer person’s smile.
@ Barbara: “Comparing ourselves to others gets us no where, but maybe, depressed.” You are soooo right! But how do we get over it sometimes? Just don’t compare, I guess.
Lance great comment of course. And Walter.
Avani & Zeenat, I don’t do yoga, well I do incorporate some of the stretches into my running routine. I might try it out with a friend. She goes and loves it. I should go and give it a whirl!
And I really really like that line from Dileep… “The people who matter don’t care and the people who care don’t matter.”
Cheers and thanks Avani, for such an inspiration when I need it and for letting me leave the absolutely longest comment I’ve ever left on anyone else’s blog.
.-= Jannie Funster´s awesome post ..What To Do When The Power Goes Out =-.
Wow, this is the longest comment I have ever read, seen or received. Thank you for sharing so much Jannie. And now I am jealous (read inspired) of you … I am waiting to be able to run 25 minutes as well. That must be so cool.
One positive thing to take from blogs doing better than ours is that those numbers are possible. And one day … these numbers can be of our blog as well.
Unchecked comparisons are definitely a route to failure and frustration. I wonder why do we forget to appreciate the better in others and accept that they are good at their thing and we are good at our thing.
Hi Avani – I have sometimes felt discouraged when I see someone else doing something that I would like to be able to do. This still occurs at times. But I try to keep in mind that comparing myself to another person is not very helpful. Usually I just need to compare myself to myself and keep my progress steady.
.-= Amanda Linehan´s awesome post ..The Power To Create =-.
Amanda, that’s a great way to look at things. You are your true competition. Everyone else doesn’t matter.
This is a great article and you’ve already got so many comments but I just had to add one more.
It is funny that you wrote this because I have just also discovered the wonderful world of running. I’ve always thought the hobby was a little weird. Why would someone just enjoy running? Running is something that you do to get away..
anyway, once I took it up it has become a challenge and does apply directly to life. You aren’t competing with anyone else and the competition is truly a continuous one. You push yourself to go farther than you did the time before or faster. It is all about personal perseverance.
.-= Stephen Miracle´s awesome post ..16 Uplifting True Stories To Appreciate Life =-.
Stephen, you echo my thoughts. I too couldn’t get why would someone like running. But yes, it’s a ongoing challenge. That’s the reason people might like running. Every time you go further, you feel you are succeeding, moving ahead.
Hi!
I was the runner of my schools upto High Schooling Days,then in the college ,I had to focus on competitive exams. But it was the strength of my childhood running that gives me physical strength even today.
Great Article about a great skill.
Anurag, running seems to have sculpted your body to fitness. I guess it doesn’t matter what physical activity you pick up, if you stay with it long enough, it’s results are going to remain with you for a long time.
Hello!
I love the way you have used your running to bring out these important points. There have been many times that I compared myself to others and wanted to quit. Thankfully, I don’t do this anymore, though I am tempted at times. When those times come I stop to remind myself that I am ME, and I have my own unique way of doing things. It may be that when a person seems better than me than it may just be that they’re just different, you know? They are where they’re at and I am where I’m at and it’s ok.
Thanks for the great article.
.-= Keith´s awesome post ..Your Mind The Helm, Your Thoughts The Rudder =-.
Keith, ‘They are where they’re at and I am where I’m at and it’s ok’ – that’s a wonderful way to look at things. I think might try this line sometime.
Really interesting to hear someone else discuss running in this way. I jogged from age 20 to 37, when I became disabled.
It was after I decided to completely forget about increasing my speed and distance that I started getting the “runner’s high.” It also helped that I adjusted my time of day for this activity – I switched to very early in the morning since my schedule was such that I was up then anyway. Less traffic, heat, fresher air…
Paul, runner’s high still eludes me. I have started to enjoy running but not to the point of reaching a high. You look like a committed runner. 17 years is a long time.
That WAS a long comment of mine up there, wasn’t it?
This post really spoke to me, still does and was just what I needed for an in-depth lesson of what was going on with me last week.
Thanks again!
Jannie, you are always welcome to comment that long. (You might become my top favorite commentator if you do so
). I am glad this post spoke to you so much, that’s what makes blogging all the more meaningful.