Running Is A Great Classroom

I have been really focused in my writing and video on the cause that I am running for.

While amazing support is being conjured up for the project – I am having many epiphanies while doing my daily run.

A lot of people have suggested that I should listen to music and that I will get further, and distracted from the pain.

While this is tempting, and probably more enjoyable, I am on another mission, a more personal one.

One of my readers and friend, Heather Conroy, recently gifted me a book called “The Mindfulness Solution”. It has really alerted me to how often we do something while thinking about something else.

Whether it be eating in front of the television, preparing a meal while on the phone, or singing while hanging the washing out.

All of these things tend to take us ‘away’ from what we are doing. I have realised the huge extent, as humans, we like to distract ourselves from what is actually happening.

Perhaps we think we are great at multi-tasking, but perhaps we are just not great at living in the present moment.

While I have written a lot about ‘being present’ (examples here, here and here) running is actually the head lecturer on the subject.

So far my grades are fairly embarrassing, but I am aiming for a High Distinction.

Let me illustrate.

When I run there is a tape that plays that belts out a lifetime of beliefs I have about my running ability and environmental factors.

It would not be unusal while beginning to jog for my mind to throw out these one liners:

“Oh My Lord, I have to get all the way to the end of this ROAD?”

“It is too hot I need a drink”

“How am I ever going to do 5kms, I can’t even do 2.5km”

“Why did I commit to this, I am NOT a runner”

Through running I have become really aware that my thought patterns are not the nicest people in town. But, they don’t know any better.

They are powerful, but I am trying to decrease their power by recently introducing some kinder folk to the mix.

The present moment folk.

These guys are new to my mind so it is only through steadfast repetition that they are starting to gain a voice and take on the demons who have lived in my mind since forever.

The new guys are doing their best to keep me in the present moment.

They do this by repeating the mantra “One foot in front of the other, One foot in front of the other”

Midway through an old familiar grumpy bastard might interrupt “Geez it’s hot, you need to walk”

But the friendly folk ignore them and get back to the “One foot in front of the other”

It is taking practice but with repetition the grumpy bastards are starting to back off, albeit a little.

The nice guys are drawing my attention to what is actually happening at the very moment.

It is from their friendly reminders I actually realise I have a nice rhythm, nothing hurts and my breathing is steady. They allow me to realise that right at this moment, all is actually well.

The fearmongers telling me I cannot do it are simply catastrophising. They have my best interests at heart but are uneducated.

Every day as I hit the road to run there is an ongoing battle between these thoughts.

I know which ones I like better, and while the bad ones have been around for eons, I am hoping that through my journey to conquer 5kms I will have also achieved a personal quest.

To realise the only reality that exists, is in this moment.

If I can strengthen this even more I am hoping that moment by moment; one foot in front of the other I will overcome my personal demons and conquer my goal : Five Kilometres.