- Prioritize relationships.
Sometimes it feels easier to run alone but being with others can help you get back on track.
However, try to surround yourself with those who either share your goals or support you on your own running journey.
with my crazy friends who ran 13.1 miles even though the race was cancelled
These relationships also include your VIRTUAL running friends!
As I said above, it’s often easier to just run by yourself on your own schedule.
I am fortunate that my area already has many running groups formed. You just have to join them on their runs.
Virtual groups count as well!
Proper nutrition, ample sleep, hydration, and regular exercise can strengthen your body and help you adapt to anything life throws at you.
Hello Running!!
and of course I need the other things too.
Meet George!
Journaling, yoga, prayer, or meditation can help. And when you do any of these activities, remember to focus on the positive aspects of your life and remember the things you’re grateful for.
Truthfully, I am not really into mindfulness and the closest I get to it is during my solo hikes or runs in nature setting.
In stressful times, you may often turn to overeating, alcohol or even over-exercising. You may feel better but it’s like “putting a bandage on a deep wound.”
Find ways to manage your stress in healthy ways.
I admit that an ice cream cone or a glass of red wine does make me feel better. But I’ve never had a problem over-indulging with either. Running or hiking with friends has been (and will be) my regular stress-reliever.
with my Friday evening walking buddies
Whether you volunteer or simply support a friend in need, you will gain a sense of purpose and self-worth.
Again I feel fortunate that there are many local opportunities to volunteer as a runner: being a mentor with the Frehofer Run training group, or with STEM or with GOTR. You can also informally mentor/help your running friends.
In other words, acknowledge and accept your past (unhappy) situations. But more importantly, take initiative in recognizing the strengths that you possessed and the successes you achieved during those difficult times. This will increase the likelihood that you’ll rise up again if you happen upon painful times.
I certainly shocked myself by running SIX half marathons virtually in 2020.
half marathon 8 out 9 and 6th virtual run during 2020
And without any races to train for, I ran over 1000 miles.
Both these should be a confidence boaster for 2021 even if I set different goals.
You need to set realistic goals in addition to a BIGGER (possibly unachievable) goal.
This goal should be something that you can do regularly. Even if it seems like a small accomplishment, it can enable you to move toward the bigger goal that you want to accomplish. Your big goal may seem unreachable but it can help to focus on smaller tasks or activities related to that goal.
TWELVE half marathons in one year when half marathon after marathon was being cancelled. How will I continue to do long runs on the weekend without any race to train for??
Simple. Just stay healthy and run.
Every run counts and could lead to the bigger goal of running 1000 miles for the year
- Look for opportunities for self-discovery.
Runners can find that they have grown in some respect as a result of having faced adversity.
Maybe by running fewer miles, they have fewer injuries. Maybe by not running any races, they have improved their form or pace. Maybe by not worrying about speed, they have added endurance.
9 months after the Fred Lebow HM, I ran this hilly half 3 minutes faster (and without wearing a watch)
Not sure which one happened for me but I think it was the latter. Nevertheless, I hope to improve as a runner in 2021 as well.
- Keep things in perspective.
“How you think can play a significant part in how you feel.”
Try to be a “glass half full” or optimistic kind of runner.
It’s not the end of the world if you never PR again or you do not qualify for a prestigious race or you do not win any age group awards.
Focus on what you CAN do.
This may be the last time I time qualify for a NYC race so I guess I will have find other big races to run.
Accept that change is a part of life.
As runners get older, they get slower. This is often hard to accept but it’s a fact. After a year of not racing, our finish times may have declined at an even faster rate.
And even when in-person races return, they will probably be different.
I wonder how many races in 2021 will I look like this?
- Maintain a hopeful outlook.
Expect that good things will happen to you as a runner in 2021.
Visualize what you want, rather than worrying about what you fear.
races with ice cream at the end?
What did last year’s negative experiences teach you? What strengths did you discover that helped you deal?
Use them to make this year your best running year ever. (Best does not have to mean fastest, most races, most PRs, most awards.)
Running Happy! With Friends!
My First 5K and More... 