The Happy Runner: Love the Process, Get Faster, Run Longer

by David Roche

The message here is not to repeat yourself over and over. It is simply that the warmest love becomes room temperature unless constantly reinforced. For relationships, that means that it may help to express your love and affection and admiration, enthusiastically and consistently, whenever and however you can.

On top of that, society often encourages us to “play it cool,” to hold in these thoughts and feelings. That’s some crazy stuff when you think about it. What makes you feel better in life, when your friend/partner tells you how great you are or when they express an ironic, detached witticism? It’s probably the simple expression of love. You can be the person that extends that joy to others and to yourself. Always be honest, but don’t be “cool.” Screw being cool.

This is one of the most widespread and dangerous misconceptions in running. Because genetics vary from person to person, the “ideal” body type might be downright unhealthy for some people. And trying to achieve this body type could lead to dangerous consequences for long-term health. It’s like a golden retriever trying to get the body type of a greyhound. It might work for a few weeks, but eventually there will be long-term consequences for energy levels, bones, and even happiness. You almost never see a sad golden retriever. You almost never see a golden retriever skimp at the dinner table. Just saying.

You are enough. You are perfect. You love you some you, and you love everyone else too.

It’s a good general life rule that if you think lots of other people are stupid, you may need to check your presuppositions about your own intelligence.

overtraining is 1,000 times worse than undertraining.

When in doubt, do less, go easier, eat more, sleep in. An ounce of preventative actions now are worth a pound of doctor’s bills later.