The Power of Persistence: 5 Lessons From a Season of Running
By: Suzanne Kvilhaug
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When I’m in the running swing of things, especially during a race season, I become a little philosopher out there. Running somehow acts as a catalyst for my mind to form all of these revelations. Feels as if Buddha is in the house with the bib number 411. My last race season takes the cake for how many cartoon light bulbs kept popping up above my head. It all started during the first race when shit hit the fan. There I was around mile 1 wanting to rip the bib off and bow out because I could not imagine finishing a 3+ mile course. It’s not that I wasn’t in shape, I just wasn’t in race shape.
People running races on the regular are fit as a fiddle and strong as an ox. And the thing is, I was no rookie out there. If I had to guess, it was probably around my 14th race season but that’s the nature of running. Nobody is spared the difficulties, no matter how much they’ve done in the past. As my mind completely crumbled, I did some sort of unsightly walk/run combo to finish. Once I finished, all I could think of was what was ahead of me if I decided to continue the season. Until I got into better shape, races would be full of a whole lot of physical pain, mental pain, and emotional pain. Yeah, the pain would start to lessen and the joy and benefits of running would start coming back but crossing that bridge is never without a whole lot of nuisances.
My tolerance felt too low for dealing with the infamous nuisances of getting in shape. Enough felt like enough. Tennis had been calling my name for a while and maybe it was time to answer. So, was I going to throw in the towel and start googling the best tennis rackets for beginners? I sat on the decision. Instead of ending things on a bad note, I decided to run one more time and take it from there. Next thing I knew, one more time turned into 27 races in four months and I declared it my favorite race season yet. It all felt like it happened in the blink of an eye and what it taught me will live in me forever.
The best way out is always through
During race number one, “the best way out is always through” (quote from Robert Frost) kept repeating in my mind. The best way out is always through. Or really, the only way out is through. How true the concept was for my current predicament…and how much I wished it wasn’t. If I wanted to get in shape, the only way out of the discomfort and pain that I was in, was to go through it. Never does this concept cease to amaze me in real-time. As you’re going through it, you’re getting out of it, and one day, you’re through it. Being able to compare the first and last race on the same course gave me measurable proof that by showing up, saying yes, and pushing through, I was definitely out of that first day's pain and gliding along with a smile. What started off looking like a giant Olympic-level obstacle course ended up looking like a beginner’s only loop.
If something feels off with your body, it probably is
As I started to get more in shape, things weren’t as smooth sailing as I’d hoped they’d be. Even though my fitness base was getting stronger, something was wrong with my body. My calves started to feel numb often and this had never happened before. At first, I thought that I was just that out of shape but something seemed way too off. I took action quickly and realized that I was low on iron and started taking plant-based iron supplements. The numbness went away instantly, I felt great, and I was glad I didn’t write it off as nothing major. Getting into shape can be hard on the body but if something feels concerning, don’t assume it’s all part of the process and keep pushing through.
Learn from people who are doing hard things with ease
Mid-season, things were almost clicking. Keyword, almost. I was still in a bit of a struggle out there. During a race, I spotted a guy ahead of me who was exuding strong veteran-runner energy. His pace was really steady and he seemed to be moving forward with ease, and on cue, a light bulb went off. Since I was feeling a bit shaky and inconsistent, I might as well just do what he’s doing. So that’s what I did. The entire way. I ran right behind him and planned to pass him towards the very end. Plan was executed. If he wasn’t there, the race would have been a total bust for me. I was able to start getting stronger with a steady pace and string together a whole run vs. my start, stop, and go routine. That showed me that people who put in the work and show up can teach and inspire simply by being there. I had to let him know this after the race and he was completely surprised. If people’s strength is part of how you learn how to grow stronger, tell them if you can. And yes, I was right, he was a veteran runner and I found out it was his second race of the day.
Don’t be too specific with goals at the start of something new
You can’t really know what’s possible until you start working towards something. Just begin to put the work in. Once you get more of a clear picture of your skills and how things really feel, set concrete goals. This can apply to anything. It can be easy to “dream big” or “go hard or go home” but when it’s time to walk the talk, it’s a whole different world. Especially with running. Running can make a liar out of anyone real quick. Once I decided to run the season, I trained often and showed up to every race I could. My only goal was to build a solid foundation. As my base finally got to a good place, I made two concrete goals. Beat one strong runner who kept beating me, and finish one race at an 8-minute pace. Two lofty goals because 1- he was much faster and stronger than me during all of the races so far, and 2- I started the season at a 10-minute mile pace, and a 2-minute difference in pace is huge for running. As we got towards the end of the season, miracles started unfolding. I finally beat this guy (he asked me if I started putting rockets in my shoes) and I finished one race in the 8-minute mile pace range. I only created these specific goals after I narrowed in on what I knew I had a chance at achieving. Over the years I’ve found that a bit of a reality check mixed in with somewhat lofty goals can be what really makes things happen.
With laser focus and consistency, things can drastically change for the better in several months
Consistency was key for me to get better mentally, physically, and emotionally. As I became consistent in action and focused in thought, things drastically changed in such a short period of time. It all depends on what you want but usually, laser-like focus with steady commitment can be the dream combo for the results you want. One of my favorite things in life is the symbolism behind things. I could never begin to express how daunting things felt at the start. There was little to no chance of me competing in one more race never mind 20-something more. And the best part was, I found so much joy in the journey once I decided to take it. Now for the rest of my life, I’ll reference that season when I’m faced with something that I know deep down may be possible with the right mindset and a lot of effort. As for my next race season, I’m doing my best to stay in decent shape so I don’t have to go back to square one and reread this article for tips. But then again, there’s always tennis…
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