The Journey is better than the accomplishment

Friday, March 24, 2017 · Mike Davis

Good morning

Plantar fasciitis update: Kathy suggested that I use her calf stretch rocker to stretch the fascia along the bottom of my foot. So, yesterday, prior to taking off for my run, I used the rocker (technically called the Medi-Dyne Pro Stretch) before I set out for my run. The device not only got my calves stretched out, but also helped me get a good dorsiflex, which stretched the fascia. My run started out slow due to my lack of activity all day but, it was beautiful out and I did not care a thing about my pace. I ran for 60 minutes and while my hips were not happy about the run (sitting to much), my foot felt pretty good. However, the real test for plantar fasciitis is after the run and the next morning. I did not feel the normal intensity of the burn that I have been experiencing post-run and this morning, I felt much less discomfort when my feet hit the floor. This is great news for me and gives me optimism for beating this injury. I will start using the rocker daily and hopefully that will give me greater ankle flexion.

The great thing right now is, I can enjoy the process without the pressure. I do not have an event on my schedule that requires I be at a certain mileage mark, so bumps in the road such as I am going through, I am able to be more discerning. Not only is this race void helpful for patience with injuries, it also allows me to run for the pure enjoyment. In a given week I have a goal of running 3 to 4 times, with one being a decent long run on the weekend. This week I am on course for 3 runs and when I finish that third run Saturday, I will be quite pleased with my week’s efforts.

So often when we train for a certain race, we get solely focused on where we need to be mileage wise or even at certain pace to stay on schedule, and that can be very stressful. The process for training can take anywhere between a few months and a year and along that time there are many ups and downs that naturally come with running. The stress that comes with that preparation often detracts from what NFLR and I value most and that is the enjoyment of running and even the process of training. Instead of treating the process of training as fun and enjoying each step, we often put pressure on ourselves to progress as we believe we should. Running is not easy and there are many intangibles that we have no control over. If we can focus on the enjoyment of the process and treat the event as the cherry on the cake, when all is said in done, we will find greater that the enjoyment of training outweighed the event itself. If we push ourselves to run every assigned distance or hit every goal split pace, yet we do not take time to enjoy the many wonderful aspects of running, we will miss out on so much.

I am totally for training for events and I love putting in the effort to accomplish whatever goal is set. However, I have come to believe the training is far more enjoyable than the event itself. Training for six months in preparation for a marathon that will last between 3 and 5 hours, it only makes sense that I enjoy the many hours that will proceed it. Much like life is full of many journey’s and while we can find joy in completion of one, it is not long before we are starting another. Because we are most often in the journey process, finding joy throughout the various challenges along the way, help us to embrace our journey’s not matter how challenging. Running and life are much the same.

Go enjoy your run or workout, as you will not be the same person when you finish.

God Bless and have a great weekend!

Mike