The Discipline of Running

People see runners and think, "Oh, they're so disciplined!" But as a runner, let me tell you, the discipline is not all about the running. It's about developing strength in all of the other things.

Running is about the disciplines of going to bed early and getting up early. Running is about the discipline of napping to help the body recover from the week's miles. Discipline is about turning off the phones, avoiding bright lights, and doing regular hygiene in order to get good sleep.

Running is about the discipline of sun protection. Running is about the discipline of wearing hats and sunscreen, especially when you don't enjoy them. Running is about the discipline of doing regular laundry in order to have clean running clothes that are appropriate for the weather.
Running is about the disciplines of nutrition and hydration, about eating and drinking before, during, and after. It is about taking in sugary gels because they are good for performance, not because I like them. It is about fueling regularly, even when it gets in the way of enjoying my run. It is about the discipline of running with a water pack because there are not water stops on the run. It is about eating within 90 minutes of finishing the run because my body needs it, not because I really feel like it.

Running is about the discipline of taking easy days easy and running hard days hard. It is about the disciplines of rest days because they allow the body to adapt and rebuild. It is about the disciplines of strength training and cross training because they make me a better runner. I like to run. Sometimes it is hard not to run.

Running is about the disciplines of stretching and foam rolling. It is about cold showers and icing. It is about taking Advil as needed to reduce inflammation. None of this stuff is fun. Sometimes, it is just needed.

I enjoy running, so running is not that hard for me anymore. It's all the other stuff that is hard, the stuff that keeps me healthy and running strong that takes discipline. The longer I run, the more I have to do of the other stuff, but because I enjoy running, I do it. The running is the reward, not the punishment, and that's why I keep doing it. That's also why I stay disciplined. The profit of discipline is the joy of running.

Self-Discipline

Remember that post I wrote about my tangled life and getting back to the basics? Yeah, much as I would like to say I've done that, I haven't. When I'm tired and burning out, I really struggle to do what I need to do. I stay up late when I need to sleep. I put off meal prepping when I need to have solid nutrition to get me through my long days. I stay on social media instead of cleaning and organizing. I delay exercise until I have to rush to get it done. I don't make time for Bible reading and devotions. And it becomes a vicious cycle.

I know what I need to do, and I don't do it. There's got to be room for a little grace, but I've also go to have some self discipline. Because if I know what I need to do and I don't do it, I am the only one to blame for the consequences that result.