On the happy runner.
What makes a happy runner?
I’m a runner. (And as an aside: I’ve been running for decades now, and it took me ages to say that sentence out loud. What helped me do so is the topic of another book post, stay tuned.)
Back to topic: I’m a runner. I love running. I love change. I’ve always seen running as a means to change if needed (for others, of course, never for me J). And while I AM familiar with the infamous runners high, my running has rarely had a particular brand of “happy”. It was a practice, sometimes with a connotation of duty.
Enter “THE HAPPY RUNNER” by David Roche and Megan Roche, MD. I snatched the book up as soon as it became available. And what can I say, it opened up a whole new world.
Let’s start from the back, because that’s the training principles. I love that there are no training plans per se. Instead, I found a lot of interesting insights, explanations, and thoughts, which actually helped me reflect on my own training. Full disclosure, not only have I been running for a long time, I’ve also been struggling with pre-made training plans for nearly as long. To the extent that I am now a running coach myself, just so that nobody can think to explain my personal issues away with “most people…” So yes – give me insights, give me building blocks, and I’m a happy camper.
Most important to me from a change coach perspective (and a personal one) is the first part of the book though. In a nutshell: why do you run - and why do I run? I’ve never run to be fast at races (I love races, and I am sloooooow. I hate 5k and 10k, because you have to run fast at those. Incidentally, I’ve been a pretty fast runner on sprints in my past, but that does not translate to marathons. Darn.). I’ve always felt the need to justify my love of running especially as a slow runner. Embracing the process has actually meant that I can be as slow or as fast as I want, and STILL love it. LOVE IT!
Finding my own WHY for running is still an ongoing thing. And that’s ok. It brings me outside. It let’s me sort my thoughts. Sometimes I compose entire blog posts in my head, when I’m out there doing easy runs. I have bad running days. I have good running days.
I know I still want be running decades from now. And that’s a pretty strong motivation to go out there.
I had some running related dreams. Some have come to fruition and it was GLORIOUS. Others are still in the vision and planning stages.
Going out there in all weather conditions has kept me on an even keel even though a pandemic (ok, but more even that I’d have been without the running.). Also: It does feel pretty bada$$ being out there in a snow storm. Less so in an epic heat wave. Just saying.
Back to the book: it has also brought me the perspective of enthusiasm. Being an enthusiastic runner instead of a dutiful runner is liberating. I’m still doing the same workouts, it’s just so much more fun.
So yeah, I’ve loved this book and I still do. I recently picked it up again, and I realised just how much has stuck with me since. That’s the best kind of book that unconsciously changes your outlook on things. And running, of course!
Happy reading! And happy running!
Here’s more on goals and visions…
I totally get how paying a compliment will make us feel better – us as the ones paying the compliment. And I also get how the assumption comes about that the recipient will feel better, too. After all, we are full of good intentions – and intend to “spread the love and positivity”.
How do we make sure that the recipient will indeed feel the love - and not resentment, anger or worse? Let's find out!