I wasn’t a runner before I joined the lunch breaks. My colleague Geert-Jan a tall and savvy runner took me out on local routes in central London. That not only helped to get to know the area better but also to feel way more alive.
My first 5 km where dreadful. I never ran 5 km before! There were moments, where I seriously thought I will not survive but step by step with a lot of encouragement from dear Geert-Jan made it back to the office and to the shower.
From not moving much to completing several full marathons, numerous half marathons, trail runs may sound crazy. But one trick has helped me to carry on and learn more about myself and my abilities than anything. It is – talking to my body.
From 10 km to 20 km – easy (sort of)
On a run when I wanted to challenge myself, I just told my body, “we will run 10 km and then go back”. Is it ok?” The answer was positive and I went.
Sometimes it can be hard especially for longer distances, but I always made it back without taxis with a stable heart rate.
If I get tired, I tend to promise my body whatever he wants when we reach home or a shop near home. I am very impressed how well it works.
This technique – talking to the body, may appear simple and it is. The only thing that is required is to .. listen. How to listen? I tend to clear my mind out of any thoughts and only then ask.
When running or even hiking I started planning routes not by km but by how many hours it will take to complete. If I go on 4-6 hour run, I would take some food and water and would come back with 30-40 km depending on the terrain.
My favourite runs are actually solo marathons. This is where I pack my small backpack with 2l water, some electrolytes, bananas and dates, and just go. And no.. I do not take any music with me. I realised additional input simply drains my attention and thus energy.
Some resources i.e. Polar sport watch manufacturer, suggests covering your smart watch and keeping the phone in the backpack to go on a mindful run to develop your abilities further. A link to article is here. I totally agree with this approach.
However consistency or in other words Routine is what makes it all work. In the past, if I do not exercise for 2-3 weeks, I get lower back pain, neck pain, I loose my voice (in my job voice was the main tool). Thus I had to always reinvent myself to keep moving.
