10 years ago, I’d never been a massively keen runner. Going for a run, just to go for a run, didn’t make a lot of sense to me. But now I can really feel the difference it makes to my life – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
I’d always enjoyed playing football, but getting into my mid-thirties, the injuries started to come more and more frequently on the pitch…and the impact on my body was too much! After I’d hung my football boots up, I needed to find other ways to move my body that I’d enjoy.
In terms of exercise, anything outdoors is always preferable to me…as I know how therapeutic and relaxing nature can be. So, to combine nature with exercise is ticking both boxes in one action.
I’m one for getting the run done early in the morning. I’m very much into the concept of morning routines. Having listened to many podcasts about starting the day well, a morning run is one of the elements of my morning routine now. Having run for 15 to 30 minutes in the morning, I always feel more alive…and it gives me great physical and mental energy to then start my working day with a natural high.
Is it easier to lie in a warm bed early in the morning? Of course! But doing hard things is to build discipline. It guarantees myself of an early win in the day. Can I do hard things? Yes! This is a mental muscle that I’m building, as well as the physical. I always feel better having completed a run. Any resistance I have to get out of bed in the mornings, I remind myself of this…I know I’ll regret not running. The mind is a funny thing…it tries to keep us comfortable…but avoiding physical challenges enough, will slowly become uncomfortable. If I treat my body well, I shall live a better life in the long run. One quote from Seneca, an ancient Stoic philosopher, is:
‘We treat the body rigorously, so it may not be disobedient to the mind’.
You remind the body who is in charge when you make the decision to get the running shoes on and get out there.
Another benefit to running is that it’s a switch-off from screen-based activity. In today’s modern life, TV, laptops and phones are ever-present. For me, I never take a phone when running. My relationship to technology is better because I try to have times in the day when I steer clear of it. This gives my mind adequate time to stimulate itself, rather than being pinged with emails or notifications of some kind. It’s often a time when I come up with solutions to problems, or ideas to act upon. So, you could frame running as a free idea-generator! Some call it a moving meditation or a moving therapy, but whatever you call it, there are many mental benefits.
Running is also a stress reliever…sedentary life is not what humans are designed for. I feel myself getting a little more agitated if I go more than a few days without a run. This affects my relationship with my girlfriend, as well as my work colleagues. So, if I run, this has a positive ripple effect on my personal life as well my professional life. Win, win.
I have run in events before – 10km, half marathons and one full marathon in Amsterdam…and these are great for accountability, particularly if you enter events with a group of friends. The training can be challenging at times, particularly if injuries come about. However, as much as I’ve enjoyed running in scheduled events in the past, I now just enjoy running for running’s sake. At the moment, I’m not too concerned about registering for more official events. The solo run at my own pace gives time to myself. Solitude is something over-looked in today’s world. Yes, we’re social creatures, and forced isolation isn’t helpful (as we’ve all experienced in the past few years), but having time in the day to give to yourself can be very beneficial…particularly if you’re combining solitude with something you enjoy.
An intrinsic goal can be far more powerful than an extrinsic goal. Running my own route along the beach is something that I’m not competing against anyone else at. I don’t always feel the need to run really fast. I look forward to embracing what my body can do for my physical and mental health. Right now, my intrinsic goal for running is to keep me in a positive, progressive state. I know it makes me a better person. That’s the bottom line. I don’t care about other people when they overtake me, or if I overtake them.
To realise my potential as a health coach, I need to keep building the muscle of progress. I know that succumbing to a short-term pleasure – like eating a doughnut, or lying in bed late – the pleasure passes quickly. But doing hard things – like running multiple times a week early in the mornings – the benefits last a long time. The struggles of life become less. As I know I’ll be enjoying better health for many years. If I stop this habit, I know my health could not be as great as it could be. Keeping physically fit is something that helps in everyday life. Could I run into the street to save somebody? Yes, I think I could. If you can’t do something primal like saving a child, or having the physical energy and functionality to lift grand-kids up or play with them, wouldn’t that diminish your experience of life somewhat? If you’d like to be strong enough and energetic enough to enjoy the company of your family into later life, and do the things you enjoy, being in physical shape allows those opportunities. If we drift into more sedentary habits in mid-life, we could easily drift into ill-health towards retirement.
On the days when I don’t feel like running…(and I do get this feeling many times!), I come back to the fact that a short run is better than no run. A little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing. There are days when I have less enthusiasm and energy to get my running shoes on. I don’t always run for a long time, but I run. Another phrase I’ve borrowed from another ancient Stoic friend, Zeno, is:
‘Wellbeing is realised by small steps, but it’s no small thing.’
Little things add up…be they bad habits or good habits. If I can run for 10 minutes, instead of 30, then that’s still a win for me. A small dose of exercise is better than no exercise.
Running certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. But finding an enjoyable, uplifting, physical activity is certainly something to discover on your own terms.
Change is constant…so each day is a new opportunity to get into a better state, or go the other way into a worse state. The small habits that we choose are very important, as we perform these habits on a daily basis, thousands of times. Changing small things isn’t always easy, but it’s possible. Health coaching can really be a proactive way to achieve better health outcomes for individuals and businesses.
I’ve been a qualified health coach for 5 years now. I now help professional businesses proactively improve the health and wellbeing of their workforces – preventing burnout, increasing resilience and saving money
As well as a health coach for the NHS in the UK, I’m now helping businesses proactively improve the health and wellbeing of their workforce – preventing burnout, increasing resilience and reducing sick days. All this has beneficial effects for individuals and companies…saving money and keeping people happier and healthier! Society in general is also improved – one person and one habit at a time. Should you want to find out more about I could help your team find their ways to a healthier, happier life, please do get in touch. [email protected]