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Patience My Dear,

Those who know me know I am not a very patient person. I grumble at drivers who drive slower than snails. I grumble if waiting in line takes longer than I think it should. I grumble greatly at my computer when it takes a light year to open a screen. I’ve been known to say, “Lord, please give me patience and give it to me NOW.” I’m still not a very patient person, but thanks to running; I am a more patient person now than I used to be.

In the beginning, after I found out I wasn’t going to die when I ran, I wanted to just run as fast as I could. I wanted to immediately run a race and compete. I went through the terrible “toos” and ran “too” fast, “too” far, “too” soon. Learning to be patient with my training was a difficult process for me, because it felt so good to run, run, run. I was able to run three miles all at once, so why shouldn’t I go for five? I started speed work on track and was able to run a 1:45 minute 400, so why shouldn’t I do a couple more and try to run 1:30 minute 400? I complained when my coach warned me about progressing too quickly, but with a little bit of patience, I finally became a healthy, strong, and injury-free runner.

I learned that one cannot just sign up and run a race. One, namely me, needed to take baby steps and do the training first. Speed work then was new and fun. It was definitely a different experience. Learning about intervals and ladders was new, and I was eager to learn. I was told speed work would make me faster and prepare me for races. Finally, I was told I could enter a 5K.Then all of a sudden I became scared to death. I just knew I would be last to the finish line if they even kept the finish line up that long. I knew I would get lost as everyone would be so far ahead of me. With the little bit of patience I was able to conjure up, I waited at the starting line. The race started, and I shot up the road like the ball fired from a cannon. A tiny whisper told me to be patient, slow down a little. At the second mile mark, then speed up and finish strong. I’m glad I listened. Patience helped me have a great first 5K.

Now nutrition is another thing. I seem to still be learning about what to eat during training and how to eat to fuel the run. I love to eat, and I love to eat everything. I’m an emotional eater. I eat when I’m sad, when I’m happy, when I’m stressed, when I celebrate. Well, you get the idea. The hard part of using food for fuel is having patience enough to reap the results. I know I should keep a balanced diet of protein, carbs, and good fats. I know my eating should be portion controlled. I know I am what I eat and eating a chocolate cheesecake makes me move like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in Ghostbusters. I guess this is a good exercise in patience, and someday I’ll grasp the idea that eating good stuff now will make me run better tomorrow.

I learned the hard way that it is very important to be patient with recovery from illness or injury. I became ill or needed to rest from an injury and thought a little run wouldn’t hurt. And when I recovered, which took longer because I didn’t rest, I felt I could take off running right where I left off. Not being patience with recovery will almost always result in a relapse or another injury that will keep you away from running for an even longer period of time. Take my word for this. I know from experience.

It was hard for me to have patience with my running. It may be hard for you too, but remember your running is for a lifetime. Try to be patient with the process and enjoy your journey.