Much like life, becoming better as a runner starts with moving forward.
While I was out running on the Appalachian Trail in Virginia, I went to reach for my bag of jerky in the front pocket of my hydration vest for a quick snack.
My hand came away empty. As I tried to figure out why there was no food in it, I remembered pulling it out just as I got to an area where I needed to scurry over a couple of downed trees.
Sadly, I realized that I must have dropped the bag in my scramble to get over the trees. Now I faced a dilemma that is much like life itself.
Do I turn around and go back to find my bag of jerky? Or do I keep moving forward and just make do with whatever is in my pack?
As a runner, I’ve realized the value in relentless forward movement, so I shrugged my shoulders and kept on running.
The advantage in constantly moving forward, in running and life in general is you don’t have time to live in the land of regrets because you’re on to the new adventure.
It doesn’t mean you don’t learn from what happened in the past. You do. I realized I should be conscious of what’s in my hand before leaping over downed trees and perhaps even take a moment to tuck it back in its pocket so I’ll have it the next time I need it. I also learned there is an advantage in pre-planning and having nutrition alternatives available in my pack.
Relentless Forward Movement as a Way of Life
This topic is one of my favorite ones as it is the most listened-to podcast from Living an Ultra Life. It remains one of the most widely read articles I have written and was republished with my permission in Russia.
The reason is that so many people feel stuck in neutral.
A Psychology Today December 2016 article, “7 Ways to Get Yourself Unstuck,” describes this feeling as being “stuck in a rut,” but within this article presents seven ways to get unstuck.
I agree with all of the points made in that article, but my favorite is the second way: Change Your Perspective. “Once you release the grip of the past, you will see your reality in new ways and feel freer to change your attitude.”
When you adopt relentless forward movement while running, you’re not focused on the lousy mile you just ran or the way you’re panting as you climb a hill. Instead, you’re focused on the one direction that will actually get you somewhere: forward.
Instead, you’re focused on the next mile, the next segment, and all the bad mojo gets flung into the breeze away from you.
Adopting relentless forward movement as a way of life is a whole new ballgame. Suddenly, instead of staying stuck on what your Aunt Suzy said about your zits when you were twelve, you remember that you were wondrously and fearfully made.
Whether you’re in a rough spot on a long run or a rough place in life, the only way to get over that rough spot is to move forward.
Adopt it as your mantra when in a tough spot and just keep repeating, “relentless forward movement.” Before you know it, you’ll be rounding the bend and see the finish line.