I’ve thought about this question all weekend. Yesterday I ran a Half marathon with my two daughters and several of their friends - all in their early 20s. To be more accurate, we started together and all finished at various times. Three weeks before the race, I ran 12 miles in a downpour and two weeks before I ran 13 in below freezing temps. Saturday I finished in the top ten in my age bracket.
So what has running taught me? Running has taught me that I can do hard things. The lessons from running and pulling on that inner determination to finish has crossed into all areas of my life and I’m a better person because of it.
I've learned that I have a lot more mental grit than I give myself credit for. Motivation is a feeling that ebbs and flows. It's the commitment to myself and my goals that helps me get out the door.
After having the opportunity to reemerge from the lowest of lows during mountain 100s, I've learned the power of patience and perseverance. And, as someone who prides himself on navigating adversity alone, I've learned the power of community; that if you allow yourself to be vulnerable and accept help, you can accomplish great things - together.
The fact that I once weighed 278# and started with walking. Thought at that time…Do I REALLY have to exercise for the rest of my life? Do people do that? And now, a much smaller person who progressed from walking to running Ultras to Run/Walking 26 years later I can confidently say YES and I WANT to! We can do hard things for a lifetime.
I've been blending yoga and running for about two years now, and I think my primary learning is the value of "athletic flexibility".
For example, I work in a kitchen and yesterday I slipped on a slick floor and twisted my knee a little bit. I caught myself fairly easily, and the twist wasn't even a minor discomfort a few minutes later.
I genuinely think that this lack of injury was the result of athleticism from running blending with flexibility from yoga. Anyway, I enjoy the fact that I can live my life without fear of injury unless something truly traumatic happens.
The memories of my first two running races I ran as a kid stick out in my mind.
The first race was a qualifying one to advance to Santa Monica’s all city elementary school track meet. Back then, no kid trained to prepare for such an event. One day our PE teacher simply invited interested kids to run 2 laps (equal to 440 yards) around the baseball field after school. I was wearing a pair of blue colored leather Mary Jane shoes and a dress. In the middle of the pack as I began the second lap around the field, I tripped over a loose wire sticking out from the backstop. Down I went, kids passing me by. I got up, mad and muddy, and finished the race last. Shaken and sad, I walked home and cried. My dad hugged me and let me feel sad. Then, he suggested we go out for a run around a real track at the junior high school. That was the beginning of running with my dad.
The second memory is of a race the following summer when I was 11 years old. By then I had proper running shoes-Tiger ASICS-and had trained to compete in this 660 yard race. I was prepared to be competitive. The gun went off and I began the 1 1/2 laps around the track. Coming off the final turn, it was just me and a girl who was a few strides ahead. Politely I said to her “coming through” and she stepped aside and let me pass her on the inside lane. My dad was surprised to learn why the girl let me pass, asking “Why did you ask her to move aside?” My reply: “I didn’t want to run around her so I asked her to move.”
What I learned from those two very different experiences is to prepare but always expect the unexpected in life.
What I learned from running: I was part of the very first Girls' Track Team in my High School. They didn't have budget for us--Title 9 had just been passed--so we had to run and compete with the guys. That taught me that I COULD complete with "the guys" which informed my career where I was often the "only woman in the room"--but that never stopped me. So thank you, Minnechaug Regional High School and my female squad for helping me see the competitive world a little differently!
I have learned a lot from running......how to push myself to get better & how not to push myself. I think the most important thing I have gained from my running journey is that I can achieve goals that may seem out of reach - knowing that I will need to work hard, do the workouts and keep at it. As I age, I have learned that running still keeps me focused on my life, my family, my community.
What have I learned? I have learned that life is love … love of a mate, kids, and the folks around you. I have found that, if you show that love, and show your interest in others, then that love will be returned, resulting in happiness and support in tough times.
Can Do Spirit!! Even though I played HS baseball, I did not really embrace running and other aspects of physical fitness until I joined the USMC in the fall of 1971. During my full marathon running days (15), I would break my distance into 5x5 with a bonus 1.2 miles. At 74, just glad I can still run!
I absolutely hated PE growing up, hated the competitiveness, the Presidential Fitness Test, the fact that I was one of the slow kids. Discovering running as an adult, and continuing it as a masters runner, has been a revelation: it turns out I *like* competition - but just competing with myself, with pushing myself to run faster, with better form. I love the peace of it, running in solitude. I'm still not particularly fast -- middle of the pack gal here -- but would you believe it, I can't get enough of speed and tempo workouts?! 13 year old me's jaw would drop.
I can relate: my brother played little league, I was batboy. Could barely do a pull-up. Intramural sports in college demonstrated my lack-of-talent. Pickup softball games after work had me in right field. Fast-forward to kids … took them for walks … two miles turned into three. At 58, did first half … proved that I could accomplish something if I made the effort!
I can soooo relate to what you have written!! I did not like the Presidential Fitness Test one bit. Look at us now!!!! I wonder how many of our classmates have become runners as we have. I think we should be proud of what we continue to accomplish. When Terrell asks what we have learned, I can honestly say that running has shown me I am focused and determined. Quite honestly, running has changed my life. I am a better and more balanced person because I run. AND, maybe just a little bit crazy:) My 65 year old body and mind are grateful I GET to run!!!
That's SO great, HT! I remember being the same way in school, ESPECIALLY with the Presidential Fitness Test. I felt so much shame that I couldn't match up with the people in my class that I thought I ought to. (And why? You know?) Love this.
I’ve thought about this question all weekend. Yesterday I ran a Half marathon with my two daughters and several of their friends - all in their early 20s. To be more accurate, we started together and all finished at various times. Three weeks before the race, I ran 12 miles in a downpour and two weeks before I ran 13 in below freezing temps. Saturday I finished in the top ten in my age bracket.
So what has running taught me? Running has taught me that I can do hard things. The lessons from running and pulling on that inner determination to finish has crossed into all areas of my life and I’m a better person because of it.
I can do hard things. 😊
I've learned that I have a lot more mental grit than I give myself credit for. Motivation is a feeling that ebbs and flows. It's the commitment to myself and my goals that helps me get out the door.
I teach high schoolers! A few have tried- currently I have the fastest runner on the track team which is inspiring to all of us. 😀
I learned that I could run & I love it.
Great topic Terrell, I’ve learned a lot from running but the top 3 would be
Patience
Resilience
And being able to move on when an individual run or race doesn’t go as planned
After having the opportunity to reemerge from the lowest of lows during mountain 100s, I've learned the power of patience and perseverance. And, as someone who prides himself on navigating adversity alone, I've learned the power of community; that if you allow yourself to be vulnerable and accept help, you can accomplish great things - together.
The fact that I once weighed 278# and started with walking. Thought at that time…Do I REALLY have to exercise for the rest of my life? Do people do that? And now, a much smaller person who progressed from walking to running Ultras to Run/Walking 26 years later I can confidently say YES and I WANT to! We can do hard things for a lifetime.
Life lesson--I am not Wonder Woman!
I've been blending yoga and running for about two years now, and I think my primary learning is the value of "athletic flexibility".
For example, I work in a kitchen and yesterday I slipped on a slick floor and twisted my knee a little bit. I caught myself fairly easily, and the twist wasn't even a minor discomfort a few minutes later.
I genuinely think that this lack of injury was the result of athleticism from running blending with flexibility from yoga. Anyway, I enjoy the fact that I can live my life without fear of injury unless something truly traumatic happens.
The memories of my first two running races I ran as a kid stick out in my mind.
The first race was a qualifying one to advance to Santa Monica’s all city elementary school track meet. Back then, no kid trained to prepare for such an event. One day our PE teacher simply invited interested kids to run 2 laps (equal to 440 yards) around the baseball field after school. I was wearing a pair of blue colored leather Mary Jane shoes and a dress. In the middle of the pack as I began the second lap around the field, I tripped over a loose wire sticking out from the backstop. Down I went, kids passing me by. I got up, mad and muddy, and finished the race last. Shaken and sad, I walked home and cried. My dad hugged me and let me feel sad. Then, he suggested we go out for a run around a real track at the junior high school. That was the beginning of running with my dad.
The second memory is of a race the following summer when I was 11 years old. By then I had proper running shoes-Tiger ASICS-and had trained to compete in this 660 yard race. I was prepared to be competitive. The gun went off and I began the 1 1/2 laps around the track. Coming off the final turn, it was just me and a girl who was a few strides ahead. Politely I said to her “coming through” and she stepped aside and let me pass her on the inside lane. My dad was surprised to learn why the girl let me pass, asking “Why did you ask her to move aside?” My reply: “I didn’t want to run around her so I asked her to move.”
What I learned from those two very different experiences is to prepare but always expect the unexpected in life.
What I learned from running: I was part of the very first Girls' Track Team in my High School. They didn't have budget for us--Title 9 had just been passed--so we had to run and compete with the guys. That taught me that I COULD complete with "the guys" which informed my career where I was often the "only woman in the room"--but that never stopped me. So thank you, Minnechaug Regional High School and my female squad for helping me see the competitive world a little differently!
Love this so much, Diana!
I have learned a lot from running......how to push myself to get better & how not to push myself. I think the most important thing I have gained from my running journey is that I can achieve goals that may seem out of reach - knowing that I will need to work hard, do the workouts and keep at it. As I age, I have learned that running still keeps me focused on my life, my family, my community.
What have I learned? I have learned that life is love … love of a mate, kids, and the folks around you. I have found that, if you show that love, and show your interest in others, then that love will be returned, resulting in happiness and support in tough times.
Can Do Spirit!! Even though I played HS baseball, I did not really embrace running and other aspects of physical fitness until I joined the USMC in the fall of 1971. During my full marathon running days (15), I would break my distance into 5x5 with a bonus 1.2 miles. At 74, just glad I can still run!
I turned 75 this past December … the half is my race … currently rehabbing / fractured bone in right foot .. I AM learning patience!
Don't we all!!:)
I keep my marathon medal hanging in my classroom to remind myself that I can do hard things with practice and hard work.
If any students ever inquire about it, I feel proud to tell them that, and I think it has a positive effect on them, too.
That's so cool -- what age/grade do you teach? (And have any of them tried running?)
I absolutely hated PE growing up, hated the competitiveness, the Presidential Fitness Test, the fact that I was one of the slow kids. Discovering running as an adult, and continuing it as a masters runner, has been a revelation: it turns out I *like* competition - but just competing with myself, with pushing myself to run faster, with better form. I love the peace of it, running in solitude. I'm still not particularly fast -- middle of the pack gal here -- but would you believe it, I can't get enough of speed and tempo workouts?! 13 year old me's jaw would drop.
I can relate: my brother played little league, I was batboy. Could barely do a pull-up. Intramural sports in college demonstrated my lack-of-talent. Pickup softball games after work had me in right field. Fast-forward to kids … took them for walks … two miles turned into three. At 58, did first half … proved that I could accomplish something if I made the effort!
I can soooo relate to what you have written!! I did not like the Presidential Fitness Test one bit. Look at us now!!!! I wonder how many of our classmates have become runners as we have. I think we should be proud of what we continue to accomplish. When Terrell asks what we have learned, I can honestly say that running has shown me I am focused and determined. Quite honestly, running has changed my life. I am a better and more balanced person because I run. AND, maybe just a little bit crazy:) My 65 year old body and mind are grateful I GET to run!!!
That's SO great, HT! I remember being the same way in school, ESPECIALLY with the Presidential Fitness Test. I felt so much shame that I couldn't match up with the people in my class that I thought I ought to. (And why? You know?) Love this.