Just have a little... patience

I have always been notoriously bad for having no patience. Wanting to do things as soon as I decide to do them, and not being able to wait once something is on my mind. An excellent example of this is shown by my internet shopping addiction. As soon as I see a pair of tights, or a sports bra I like, that’s it, my mind is occupied by it and I have to buy it. No chance of me pondering over it for a few days, I have to do it there and then. This is also something that used to be translated into my running.


Once I had decided I was going for a run, that was it, I was going there and then. My impatience was mostly highlighted by my inability to warm up for easy runs. I never entered a tough track session without at least half an hour warm up, but an easy run was a different story. I would walk out of the house, consider spending 10 minutes warming up, give in to my impatience and start running immediately. Looking back on it, this definitely isn’t the right way forward.


Having a little bit of patience and taking your time is no bad thing. Yes, it may take a bit longer, but it is always worth it. I will definitely admit when it comes to my personality I am still a very impatient person, but in terms of my running, it is something I feel I am developing more of every day.


When you are thrown in the deep end and forced to be patient for at least 6 months, in order to allow your bones to heal and your body to recover, you really have no choice. Either you quickly learn to be patient, forget your future running career, or find the time ahead extremely difficult.


I did not think I would have developed the patience and acceptance I have learnt to have. Reflecting on my journey, there is no other way to have dealt with it. You have to take every day as it comes and learn to be patient over everything. Of course, I have moments of irrationality and breakdown over how far I still have to go, but this form of impatience is only natural. If I didn’t get upset I would worry whether I actually cared for the sport I love.


The patience I lacked previously before an easy run has completely disappeared. Having had to drive to the pool, get changed, Aqua jog (with a warm up included), shower, and drive home. There is no room for impatience. I have to abide to swim timetables and ensure I can get there. There is no way of simply walking out of the house and doing your necessary training when and where you so desire. I have had to learn to be patient and take my time.


In addition to this, rehabilitation exercises are sooooo important! I can’t stress how vital it is you do these if you are faced with an injury. These definitely cannot be rushed. If you rush these, you only risk making your injury worse; not a good idea! Having to go to the gym 3 times a day for less than 10 minutes at the start of my rehabilitation process definitely tested my patience, but when you care about something, the only choice you have is to get on with it. So, I did. Yes, it was very tedious, but I knew it was only temporary, and I would benefit in the future from doing it properly now!


15 weeks down the line of my rehab journey I have finally given the green light to run. You’re thinking, finally, she can get back to normal training, just start slow and you’ll be fine. Sadly, it is not this simple. My first run consisted of 3 sets of 1-minute jog, 1-minute walk, with a 5-minute walk warm up and cool down. However, now this does not test my patience and I don’t feel it to be tedious. What I have to do now, I have to do. Any second running is better than not running, so I will cherish every moment.


Although presently, 8 weeks seems a long time away until I can run for 30 minutes continuously. I am going to enjoy the journey, continue to be patient, and know that time is on my side and there is NO RUSH.


If you ever find yourself caving in to your impatience, think again, is it really worth rushing? Relax and take your time, it will be worth it in the end

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