The Lost Art of Being a Rookie

The Runner's Rookie Mind

One of the best decisions I made in my early years as a runner was willingly embracing the role of beginner, rookie, padawan.

I wasn't too proud to ask "stupid" questions — and I asked many. I was forgiving with myself when I made mistakes. And I existed in a constant Alice in Wonderland state of mind as I discovered new aspects of the running world or tried something for the first time. This happened almost daily.

Showing yourself as a beginner isn't something to be taken...