Here’s a comment I’ve heard often over the years—“well, you’re a natural runner.” It’s typically used when someone is describing their own lack of interest/progress in running. Often it has been punctuated with, “it’s easy/easier for you.”
Guess what? No it’s not. I usually explain it this way: “Running is just as hard for me as it is for you; the only difference might be that I am traveling at a faster speed.” These days, that “faster” part might not be accurate.
We all have gifts, or things that perhaps come to us more naturally or easily. I am envious of musicians; they are proficient in a language that I cannot grasp. But in no way do I discount the importance of work; the best athletes and musicians and singers and painters all work at their craft. Same goes for massage and bodywork practitioners. We all know therapists who seem to have “it”—that natural sense of touch. Others develop it over time. But none of us are at our peak naturally. This doesn’t just apply to hands-on work. Marketing is as much art as it is science, but no success comes without effort. Building a practice, like preparing to run a marathon, doesn’t happen all at once. It takes a plan, and sustained effort. Even in crappy weather.
Road to Boston: Week 1
Winter visited Colorado this week, as you can see from the above picture. But you know what? I survived. It helped that I left for Florida Saturday; a few days in 60s and 70s makes one day at 25 degrees tolerable. My planned training schedule includes running Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. A little juggling this week, since I knew Florida awaited. But the work will get done in winter weather—not my preferred climate for running. But as a co-worker told me a long time ago, “If you don’t have a choice, you don’t have a problem.”
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