I hate running. That’s a strange statement since I run 5-6 times a week. Someone compared running to hitting a hammer against your head. It feels good when it stops. Yet I continue to do it. In the last 3 years I have learned the following lessons that hopefully can bless you as you transition into the new year. The fact is that 2019 is here. No matter how good )or terrible) 2018 was, it is over. I am not much for resolutions, but I do believe in principles that guide your decisions. So, here are three principles I learned from running for a better 2019.
1. Do it.
It has been said that there are no statues built in any major cities to committees. Opinionology is not a spiritual gift. Talk is cheaper than an after Christmas, Christmas tree. I understand the value of planning, but at some point, implementation has to happen. Perfection is in fact our enemy if that is the threshold you are using in order to start whatever project is in your mind. When I started running, I ran ½ mile a day. I did not have perfect form or appropriate shoes (I have Hokas now, the best!). Yet I ran. I see this happen in other areas as well. I have a couple of friends who are writers but haven’t published a book yet because of infinite revisions. At some point you have to turn the book in and allow editors to earn their money. Action > perfection. Do it.
2. Do it now.
I have never enjoyed the first mile of any of my runs. Whether its hot days, cold days, with or without food in my stomach and after taking a pre-workout supplement. It’s the same thing every time. “I hate this. Why am I running today? I ran yesterday. I’ve run more than ________________.” Yet I run. At some point we have to understand that procrastination is lies with a better sounding name. It doubles as deceit. We lie to ourselves when we say we will do it tomorrow. Now > any other time. Do it now.
3. Do it well.
This is the balance with point #1. At some point during the running experience I decided to make some improvements. So I asked experienced runners for their secrets, I ran with people who were better than me and bought Hokas, compression socks and a foam roller. I followed Hal on twitter and listened up when runners spoke about their experiences. Last year I ran the Chattanooga marathon and took 12 minutes off my best time. It was still slow, but it was better. A friend who runs told me that you can take time off your PR (personal record) every year for the first 10 years you run. I have found that to be true. If I am going to do it, and do it now, I might as well do it with excellence. That is different than perfection. Excellence > perfection. Do it well.
Whatever your plans for 2019 are, remember the three phrases.
Do it. Do it now. Do it well.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NLT) Whatever you do, do well.