On average, I run about two to three days out of a week. Since I moved back to Atlanta, I have been trying to explore new running routes. I prefer running outdoors because running on a treadmill makes me feel like I’m not going anywhere; my mind thinks that I’m not being as productive. The challenges with outdoor running are that there are other elements that you do not have control over… just like life! Over the last few weeks, I started to recognize the similarities in my running behaviors and my personality.
Hill runner: I run up the hill very well. Once I’m over the hill, I stop and begin to walk. If I notice people are out/watching, then I power-walk. I don’t want it to appear that I have given up, so I make it look like I “meant” to start walking. In my day-to-day life, I grind hard and when I have completed a task or assignment, I’m so worn out that I slack in other areas of my life. When I feel like I’m being monitored, I over-commit so that it doesn’t appear that I’m slacking. I’m not great at pacing while running because I always want to crush a goal and I’m not good at delegating because I don’t want it to appear as a weakness or lazy that I can’t “do it all.”
Flat surface: I slow my pace down. I attempt to calculate the distance I committed to and the energy to invest in the run. I always feel like I will run out of energy and a flat surface is easy to walk. I’m also easily bored (that is why I prefer running outdoors). The flat surface is predictable and does not offer me much of a challenge. I usually run slowly or start walking and use the excuse to enjoy the scenery. In my day-to-day life, I am much more challenged and productive the busier I am. Once life becomes a smooth road, I slack off, I get bored and unmotivated. I’m not the most patient person, so continuity without the sight of progress is discouraging to me.
Partnered running/Outside elements: When running with others, I try to be considerate of their pace and their comfort that I disregard what I am capable of. I either run faster than I know that I can handle or I run slower than my true potential because I don’t want them to feel that I am leaving them. If the weather isn’t ideal then I will completely talk myself out of exercising. Its the idea of, “if it’s not perfect, I don’t want it.” If it is a crowded location or familiar people, I get nervous. I feel like there is a level of expectation that I have to reach. In my day-to-day life, I find myself putting the needs and ideas of others before my own. I’ve always told myself that I can deal with being disappointed in myself, but I don’t want to deal with someone else being disappointed. I like to function off of plans and if something isn’t going as planned (depending on what it is) I have anxiety and question if its necessary for me to pursue. I can talk myself in and out of almost anything.
Now, do not get me wrong, I really enjoy running. It is the one exercise that no matter how consistent I am, I’m always challeged. That is life… we are all running this race and it is full of hills, unexpected turns, moments where we are sprinting, and seasons where it seems like we are just taking a stroll. This has certainly given me a greater perspective that my life isn’t as separated as I thought. My fitness life is affected by my social life and my social life is affected by my professional life.
As we are rounding out the year, I want to encourage you to do an audit of your life and look at your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. (SWOT). See how one area of your life is intertwined with others and consider the adjustments that could be made.
From me,
Chrissy