I definitely think the lessons you learn as a runner translate to business and a work environment. I know I’m biased because I am a runner, but when I coached, I noticed that the kids who ran as a sport were “different”. They took school very seriously and made good grades, participated in other activities, and were very driven. I’m not saying other athletes weren’t, but it takes a certain level of concentration, drive, and determination to be a distance runner. Most of the kids I coached are in AP/IB/Honors classes and have scholarships to college, if they don’t have it for running they have it for academics.
Even as an adult, it impresses me when someone sticks to a training plan for a race for 8 weeks and doesn’t give up on it. That definitely translates to work as well with long-term projects.
I think my discipline and ability to push my limits before I became a runner has gotten me a long way from being a non-runner to running half-marathons (and a full next fall!). They say that your limits are more mental than physical, and I tend to ignore that voice in my head that doubts my abilities, and just go for a goal without inhibition, allowing me to push my physical limits.
I have three as well. 1. Be honest. Always tell the truth. To yourself and others. 2. Be on time. When you say youre going to be there, be there. 3. Do what you say your going to do. If you set goals and have a plan to get there, then execute the plan.
One trait I had before I was a runner that helps me in running is my work ethic. Whatever I’m working on, I’m 100% in on it during that time.
Running has helped me acquire mental toughness that I feel like I didn’t have before. Sometimes my job involves people getting angry/yelling at me and being a runner helps me keep calm and keep from getting upset in those situations. And then of course when I get home I can go for a run to burn any lingering emotions off 🙂
I try to run without fear by not doubting my ability and trusting my training.
I have always been of the mindset that complaining doesn’t accomplish anything. When I started running that was helpful – I didn’t complain about workouts, I just did them.
As a runner I think if you are going to run you should give it everything you have – I try to carry that theme out in all of my daily tasks (cooking, cleaning, mom stuff…)
i’m SOOO with u on complainers, i can’t really stand the whiney types…sort of like, “we’ve ALL got stuff we could complain about, but you don’t hear us all throwing the pity parties!” hehe
One trait I brought to running: DRIVE. [Ha. That actually sounds kinda funny!]
One trait running brought to life: Faith that the small bits of work will coalesce into something larger (if you plan them properly!). A few tempo runs won’t win you a PR. Intervals won’t let you finish a marathon. This one workout won’t make or break anything. But when you put it all together…magic happens. Well, not magic – that’s the point. But good things happen.
How do I run without fear? I don’t let the stories about a few bad things dictate my running life. Yes, I take precautions. Yes, I avoid seriously bad situations. [And yes, this all is a little less relevant in the safety of Singapore.] But I don’t let fear dictate my life. I run alone. I might just run through dusk. I run at the side of a shouldered road sans sidewalk. I run on trails. Are all of these the absolutely, guaranteed, very much most safest options? Probably not. But they’re also not the most dangerous things ever – and at the end of the day, I refuse to let overblown fear force me onto the treadmill 24/7. Stupid? Perhaps. Doing what I love? Absolutely.
NEVER let fear stand in your way, I love your outlook. of COURSE be safe and do all you can, but if people over-thought about anything they would find a reason to be afraid. keep running sans fear! 🙂
Great stuff.
thanks!
I definitely think the lessons you learn as a runner translate to business and a work environment. I know I’m biased because I am a runner, but when I coached, I noticed that the kids who ran as a sport were “different”. They took school very seriously and made good grades, participated in other activities, and were very driven. I’m not saying other athletes weren’t, but it takes a certain level of concentration, drive, and determination to be a distance runner. Most of the kids I coached are in AP/IB/Honors classes and have scholarships to college, if they don’t have it for running they have it for academics.
Even as an adult, it impresses me when someone sticks to a training plan for a race for 8 weeks and doesn’t give up on it. That definitely translates to work as well with long-term projects.
hey, call me biased because i’m a runner too, but i certainly think drive in running, drive in school, drive in LIFE all run parallels. 🙂
I think my discipline and ability to push my limits before I became a runner has gotten me a long way from being a non-runner to running half-marathons (and a full next fall!). They say that your limits are more mental than physical, and I tend to ignore that voice in my head that doubts my abilities, and just go for a goal without inhibition, allowing me to push my physical limits.
awesome comment and we’re totally on the same page! 🙂 here’s to telling that ‘little voice of doubt’ to shut the heck up! 🙂
I have three as well. 1. Be honest. Always tell the truth. To yourself and others. 2. Be on time. When you say youre going to be there, be there. 3. Do what you say your going to do. If you set goals and have a plan to get there, then execute the plan.
these are quite good ones, let the list keep growing. 🙂
One trait I had before I was a runner that helps me in running is my work ethic. Whatever I’m working on, I’m 100% in on it during that time.
Running has helped me acquire mental toughness that I feel like I didn’t have before. Sometimes my job involves people getting angry/yelling at me and being a runner helps me keep calm and keep from getting upset in those situations. And then of course when I get home I can go for a run to burn any lingering emotions off 🙂
I try to run without fear by not doubting my ability and trusting my training.
haha…glad running has allowed you to put up with annoying people in life. 😉
I have always been of the mindset that complaining doesn’t accomplish anything. When I started running that was helpful – I didn’t complain about workouts, I just did them.
As a runner I think if you are going to run you should give it everything you have – I try to carry that theme out in all of my daily tasks (cooking, cleaning, mom stuff…)
i’m SOOO with u on complainers, i can’t really stand the whiney types…sort of like, “we’ve ALL got stuff we could complain about, but you don’t hear us all throwing the pity parties!” hehe
One trait I brought to running: DRIVE. [Ha. That actually sounds kinda funny!]
One trait running brought to life: Faith that the small bits of work will coalesce into something larger (if you plan them properly!). A few tempo runs won’t win you a PR. Intervals won’t let you finish a marathon. This one workout won’t make or break anything. But when you put it all together…magic happens. Well, not magic – that’s the point. But good things happen.
How do I run without fear? I don’t let the stories about a few bad things dictate my running life. Yes, I take precautions. Yes, I avoid seriously bad situations. [And yes, this all is a little less relevant in the safety of Singapore.] But I don’t let fear dictate my life. I run alone. I might just run through dusk. I run at the side of a shouldered road sans sidewalk. I run on trails. Are all of these the absolutely, guaranteed, very much most safest options? Probably not. But they’re also not the most dangerous things ever – and at the end of the day, I refuse to let overblown fear force me onto the treadmill 24/7. Stupid? Perhaps. Doing what I love? Absolutely.
NEVER let fear stand in your way, I love your outlook. of COURSE be safe and do all you can, but if people over-thought about anything they would find a reason to be afraid. keep running sans fear! 🙂
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