7 Things I’ve learned from 2020. Running.

Right, a listicle.

I was told this is what this is called. An article that’s also a list. Apparently that’s good for conversion on the title. Also good in managing expectations. This way, if this article sucks, you will know exactly how long it will suck for. Handy.

Anyhow, I think we can all agree 2020 has been quite a year. For me, like everyone else, it meant -all of a sudden- no office, no travel, no plans. Also it meant panic. I am a millennial. I was born in a time and in a place where basically no serious disease was ever going to get me. Ever. My biggest problem was to obey the tyranny of my watch ordering me to stand up and drink more water. Then all of a sudden: we could die. Like, literally. I think we can all agree this is pretty bleak perspective. And no, my watch did not warn me this time. Sucker.

So, I did what every reasonable person would do at that time. I Googled my way into a rabbit hole of data and desperation. Now, don’t get me wrong, finding out information and seeking the truth (sic.) it’s a good thing. Just not so much at the start of an unknown medical event. Plus, getting all your info from a simple Google search is like blindly taking advice from the proverbial used car salesman. Someone is getting paid here and no, it’s not you.

Then I did the second thing I think most people would do when confronted with change. I froze. Refused it. I mean, I was working nine to six in the office in front of a computer, surely I could do the same in my spare bedroom. Five steps commute versus 30 minutes ride. Not bad. As it turns out, quite bad. Not making changes when everything has already changed is a missed opportunity at best.

So, I did. Make a change.

Bought some running shoes and went out. I am lucky enough I live next to a big park — see a picture below here. So, no excuses. Went out on my own, according to the rules, and started running and never stopped since.

This is what I’ve learned in the process; here’s the listicle part — you’d thought I’d forgotten.

You can do it.

A bit of a cliché but true nonetheless. It really does take very little effort. It’s essentially free and you already know how to do it. Just do it. Damn it — see, that’s a really good tagline.

It will not look good.

Nope. I’d hate to break this to you but those Instagram pictures are lying. No one looks good when they start exercising and no, 10 minutes a day on this app won’t give you a sculped body. No way. It’s painful, uncomfortable, sweaty, hot, cold and miserable. That’s how you know it’s working.

But, it will get better.

Yes, it will. I became faster, stronger, more at ease as time progressed. It’s still painful and I still don’t really want to do it but it does work. And there is no better feeling than that of becoming better at doing something. Remember when you suddenly realized you could ride a bicycle or drive a car? Yeah, it’s good.

Only the next step matters.

Now, this is easier said than done. You know the theory, you’ve watched the video. You should really only pay attention to your next step, nor how far you’ve come neither how far you have to go. I am trying to stick to this one. Nothing is really as easy as that app promised once again, as it turns out. Keep trying.

Consistency is key.

Follows from above. You kind of have to do it over and over again. No instant gains. I know, it’s weird. You can order food, a car and basically everything you can possibly imagine from the Internet and it will show up instantly at your door. Not your health. That requires effort. Urgh.

Plan but be open to change.

Another pearl of wisdom from a chocolate wrapping paper. Yes, we know. You should make things a habit, make them stick, do them always at the same time, blah, blah. Yes, that’s what you should do. Don’t be too harsh on yourself though, listen to your body, look at the weather forecast, be real. At least at the beginning. And no, 10kph wind is not a storm.

Don’t constantly compare.

The kiss of death. How fast is your colleague running. Really, fast. And that person? How? Is that even human? You are not the best. Deal with it. Not at everything at least. And that is fine. You can be inspired by others, learn from others, certainly help others and they can push you to do more if you push them to do the same.

The sum is usually greater than the sum of the parts and each part is both fundamental and irrelevant at the same time.

If I had a whish for a collective learning in 2020, it would be this one. To make it the year we realized that to achieve anything worthwhile we can be better together; individuals, acting as one, asking for more, wanting something better, for all.

And, that’s it.

If you count the last one, it’s eight. Learnings in the listicle. I cheated. But I could not resist. When everything changes, not changing always is a missed opportunity.