There is more than running...

I am the first to admit that running is a major part of my life. It predominantly governs everything I do, from when I wake up, to when I eat, or when I meet my friends, etc. There is a lot to be considered, because ultimately, if I want to get to the best out of my ability, I have to do everything I can to help me get there, even if that means not doing certain things. However, whilst running occupies a lot of my time, which I enjoy as I love it, there is more to my life than just running, and I find this important in helping me improve as an athlete.


Can’t run all day, everyday.
No matter how hard you might train, you simply can’t run for every hour of the day. Firstly, you likely wouldn’t be able to do that much training without breaking and falling apart, and secondly, chances are your training would be absolutely awful in quality because you would be doing way too much. Whilst training does take up quite a lot of time, there is still a lot of the day left to do other things. For me, this spare time is spent reading, writing (I’m doing a masters in creative writing), doing work (writing related again), cooking, or spending time with my family/friends and my dogs. Running is a huge part of my life, but without all these other things, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. There is more to me than just running.


Have other hobbies.
In addition to running, I have lots of other hobbies that I enjoy doing. A lot of the time, doing other things, whether that is working or doing another hobby, makes you continue to appreciate your training. Every time you have training to go and do, because you have been occupied by other things in the meantime, you are ready for the release that it provides. When I have completed a training session, I am able to switch off from running and focus on something else. I find this helps keep my mind refreshed, so it can recharge before I go into the next session or run.

Need other focuses.
I personally find I run at my best when I am happy and enjoying the sport. This coincides with me not overthinking my training or putting too much pressure on myself. Therefore, having other things to think about each day allows my mind to focus on something other than running. This means running doesn’t become the be all and end all of everything. If a session or run doesn’t go to plan, I can do other things to take my mind of it and remind myself that there is more to life than running.


Will come a time when running isn’t so important.
At the moment and for many years to come, running is and will be a massive part of my life. However, when the times come for me to give my all to something else, without other hobbies or aspects of my life, I would be extremely lost as an individual and with what to do. I know one day I will have to channel my energy elsewhere, so by having other things I enjoy, I know I am preparing myself as much as possible for when this comes. This way, when I can’t do so much running (which I love), I can do something else that I enjoy doing.


Ultimately, I keep telling myself, that whilst I love giving as much of my time as I can to running, it is important to do my other hobbies too, because these make us who we are and give us another focus in life.