The Life Lessons we Learn from the Run

Today was my hardest and fastest workout in a long long time.  Maybe in almost a year.  Definitely in this training plan.  Towards the end of my ten 1000m repeats, I could see that I underestimated the time it would take to finish the workout.
The 10:35 kinder pick-up time was quickly approaching,
and
I
Was quickly FADING.
I wanted to quit.
My son was ready for mommy time,
     and I knew I needed to hurry or I'd be late to get my daughter from school.
So
I ended the last 1k at only 400m.

But as I started to get off my treadmill, I hated the feeling that came with quitting because it was hard.
I hated the feeling of walking away from something because I just didn't want to push myself.
So I stepped back on the treadmill
       and finished.
Stronger than planned.
More Determined.
Knowing that finishing would feel so much better than quitting.
And It DID.

I'm so glad I finished today. So glad I got back on that treadmill and did the rest of the repeat even though I was exhausted. I KNOW that workouts like today carry over to my life. When my life goals get blurry and hard and seem as if I can't finish something or make something happen, I will remember workouts like today that tell me there is more in there than I think.  It's up to me to dig deeper.

There are so many lessons we gain from our runs...the slow and steady ones, the challenging ones that leave us feeling as if we can't push another step but do, the ones we drag ourselves out of bed for, and the ones that we take PURE PLEASURE in. And the ones we really do skip because we know what is best for us and how to listen to our inner voices that tell us what we need the most.

Some of the lessons I've learned from my training:  

The hard workouts like today that we push through even when we want to quit teach us that we have more inside of us than we think we do.

The runs we go on where we are filled with so much joy and love at doing something we feel made to do...where we come back feeling refreshed, energized and inspired....These runs teach us to be true to our passions and in making time for what makes our souls sing.

The long runs where we keep going at a steady pace all the way to the end teach us about endurance. They teach us to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  To keep working towards our dreams and goal.  To keep making our way through life.  They teach us about the satisfaction that comes from reaching the end of a long process and not stopping.

The runs we have with friends where we talk and laugh and just enjoy the companionship of another runner teach us about the value of having friends that share common interests.  They teach us about the treasure of play and friendship within our sport...within our daily lives. They teach us the value of surrounding ourselves with people that uplift and encourage us.

The very EASY or RECOVERY runs teach us the necessity  of slowing down in life.  They teach us of the value in stepping back a bit and not always having to be pushing ourselves and making BIG things happen.  The value of just being content with being present and with the day as it comes.  

The REST days teach us the value of being STILL in life.  They show us the truth in just wrapping ourselves up where we are at and just being where we are at.  Just resting and replenishing. Taking time for us to do what recharges us so we have more to give later.

I could think of so many lessons I gain from my running.  So many things I take from my training and carry over to my LIFE.

What are some things you've learned about yourself or life through running/training for something?

Amanda