Running Cycles
Everything in life has a cycle. Humans, animals, plants. The seasons change in cyclical form, as do careers, relationships, great leaders and ideas. The ebb and flow of our ocean’s waves is a fascinating example of cycles.
Running isn’t an exception. As runners, we might have months of races. We might achieve a new personal best time and time again for a year.
But then we become injured. Or tired. Or simply bored with the running routine.
So we stop for a while. We take a break (voluntarily or forced due to injury). We rest. We don’t race.
After a while, we feel the itch. We ramp up the miles again and schedule the races and eventually toe-the-line with an extraordinary amount of strength and determination behind us…
That’s where I am today. I had been forced to the sideline late last year and for several months found contentment in running ‘just to run.’ I love to run (duh!) and was genuinely enjoying the low-key months of not working toward an athletic goal.
The non-committal stage of my current running cycle has come to a close however. I have two 10K races scheduled for the month of May (see the side bar over there –> for details). I have registered, paid the money and talked about my plans with others. I plan to buy new running shoes on Friday.
My disposition has followed suit in this authentic rebirth. I am more conscious about what foods I eat today than I was last month. I am eager to do even just a short 1.5 mile morning run on the treadmill. I’ve taken the stairs all week at work.
I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THESE TWO RACES, I CAN BARELY STAND IT. Seriously.
Know that wherever you are in your life as a runner, things will change, morph, slow down, speed up. Who you are at this moment doesn’t define who you will you be tomorrow as a runner. There are cycles to everything in life.
Even the miles.
