I used to say, “I don’t run unless someone is chasing me.” Well at 34, I realized that an older, fatter version of me is chasing me, and I want to outrun him. So now I run a little.
I still wouldn’t consider myself a “runner,” but I do enjoy going for a run now and again. Right now I’m running a 5K (3.1 miles) once or twice per week. It’s a good run. Not too long. Not too short. Enough so that I feel it and I’m tired afterwards.
While running this past weekend, I had a few thoughts about life, business, and entrepreneurialism. I’d like to share those thoughts.
Focus on the goal
To keep myself going at some points during my run, I will look out into the distance and pick a point.
Next, I run towards that point. I focus on the goal and let everything else slip away.
Find the rhythm and keep going
“Don’t step on a crack or you’ll break your mother’s back.” I remember that everytime I run because I play a game where I try to run inside the boxes of the sidewalk, avoiding the cracks. It helps me get into a rhythm.
Once I find that rhythm, focusing on the goal, I remind myself to keep running.
It’s took about 6 runs before my brain switched from “just stop, just stop” to “keep going, keep going.”
Evaluate along the way
I use an app called Runkeeper. Every 5 minutes it will update me on how far I’ve run and what my pace is.
Once I’ve run the first 2.5K the app lets me know. At that point I turn around and run back the way I came.
As I’m running, I take note of my pace and make adjustments. If my pace is too slow and I’m feeling good, I pick up the pace. If my pace is really good but I’m starting to cramp up, I’ll slow down. Having the data is helpful.
Have a good soundtrack
I don’t know how anyone can run a marathon without music because running a 5K without music seems like madness to me.
When I run, I like to listen to dance music, or anything with a beat. It’s what I need.
That being said, in life and business your soundtrack is more than music, it’s the people you surround yourself with. The people that you choose to associate yourself with professionally, and personally are your soundtrack, they set the tone, tempo and content. Choose the right soundtrack so that you can keep going and improving.
One more thought: Movement
I wrote a post, not long ago, about rock climbing. While rock climbing, I realized that the mindset and process is similar to entrepreneurialism. This past weekend, it happened while running. I’ve had a multitude of thoughts about business and life while snowboarding.
Maybe there’s an opportunity here to design a course for aspiring entrepreneurs using movement and sports?
Any thoughts from the audience?