All week over on my Facebook page we have been discussing how comparison can steal the joy you once found in running. And the crazy thing is that it will creep in before you realize it’s happened. For many of us runners, our training runs become our escape, our endorphins fix. Then we discover races and setting goals to complete and/or compete in them.
The races bring another level of fun excitement to our running until…well until we get caught up in comparing ourselves to others or even comparing ourselves to our own past performances. Sometimes we get so consumed by our own running goals that preparing for that next race becomes more of an obligation than fun. Especially those long races that have expensive registration fees and require travel and lodging reservations and expenses that might not be refundable.
Here’s the deal, there is nothing wrong with being super competitive or running lots for endurance races with friends or having PR goals. The problems arise when it becomes consuming and you find yourself critical of your own performance, pushing yourself to train at levels that your not ready for yet, or training when your body is sending you all kinds of signals that it needs a break!
Let me encourage you today to not lose the joy you get from running. And if you’ve crossed that line, then tune in and learned to silence that negative self talk. Take a break if you need to even if its just a break from racing. Go run just to run. Leave your running watch or Garmin at home. Stop and take pictures or just enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Run because you want to, not because you have to!
Have you struggled with comparison to others or your own past performances? Has running ever felt like an obligation to you? If so, how did you handle it? Leave a comment below or come join the discussion over on my Facebook page.
Hi Beverly! I too have dealt with issues that caused me to develop an auto-immune disease back in 2001. After moving to Arkansas 9 years ago I often found myself feeling really alone because I didn’t know anyone, but then made some local friends. Even after moving over to Little Rock, all of my friends were health coaches. I thank social media for helping me to have people to talk to (friends and family back in Michigan and here in Arkansas) That connection is invaluable. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I realized that if I am under stress I don’t even know it. I don’t really feel it physically. This dumbfounded me because my stress hormone was high, but I didn’t feel bad. Anxiety also acts similarly like fear towards me, but I do feel the butterflies of anxiety now. Working out on a regular basis has helped me to squash stress and anxiety. Plus now, cbd oil has been the biggest and most fantastic way I have been able to cope after being homebound and stuck on the couch since April with a severely sprained ankle. Even getting on a plane (which I hate to do) I had no anxiety at all. I feel super relaxed these days, and finally I am able to begin working out….not running at this time, but I can move and walk a few miles a day now. It has been so helpful to connect with other coaches like yourself and speak more about this. In not speaking about it more diseases can pop up unexpectedly and we never want this to happen. It is time to Heal. Love ya Beverly!!
Great points Heidi! Like you, I didn’t even know I was suffering from anxiety until I sought help sorting through all the craziness in my life. Hmm…CBD oil…who knew! I agree, we need to speak out more. I think too many people put up a front and suffer in silence!
Thank you for sharing your story. You are so brave. If you ever want to compare notes on fear, anxiety, grief, not being able to get out of bed, coping with and without running as your crutch, reinventing yourself, truly finding your faith in Christ; my heart always has time and a place for you and your twin!!! ❤️ Conlin.cathy@gmail.com
Oh I bet you could Cathy! Thank you so much for sharing. I don’t think we talk about mental health enough. I am so proud of you for finding your faith and strength in the Lord. He is ever present, evening our worst storms!
Hi Beverly,
I so miss connecting with you all! I too have very much shared your journey. I’m on the other side of it now but am changing many things in my life wich as you know comes with its own grieving as we leave the old behind. It’s lovely to see you share your story as I know it helps many of us.
Would love to get together again.
Hugs,
Kelley
Kelley I miss you too! Thank you for your kind words and your support. We need to get the Soul Sisters together again!