Life lessons from running

There are many cliches in life and well, that’s because they happen to be true. Here are a few lessons that I’ve learnt from running, also applicable to many aspects of life:

1.     Don’t focus on the whole task (but keep it in mind)

Take it mile by mile: focus on the next milestone and celebrate when you get there.

2.     Run your race

Don’t do what everyone else does (if it doesn’t fit with your aims, lifestyle, current challenges)

3.     You’re only racing yourself

Define your own success (what’s your why?)

4.     Rest/recovery is important

It’s OK to take a break, you will be stronger/more productive

Take in your surroundings, do something different

5.     Revise your race plan – things will go wrong (injury, weather)

It’s OK to change your mind (you’ll learn from it)

Once you’re out there, you can deal with things

Don’t sweat the small stuff (go back to your original aims, your why and what success looks like for you)

6.     Tune in to the seasons

You can’t do the same thing (at the same level) all the time. Work out when it’s best for you to plan, build a base and when it’s best to direct more energy to it

Nature happens. If something stops you in your tracks there will always be an opportunity to build again (and you’ll have extra wisdom when you do it)