S8 MQC2: Life Doesn't Get Easier, You just get stronger..

From Raghunath

When the going gets tough.. the tough gets going”.. is what comes to my mind….As we get deeper into the RHWB program.. we conquer our “Minds over body” and accomplish our goals with a feeling of self satisfaction. I also think this is true for other areas of daily life.. relationships, working with colleagues, new projects etc.

From @Ramanpreet Kohli

Here are my thoughts wrt running and training program:

When I started, even a mile seemed like eternity.But as I progressed in the training program I learned a lot.

I learned the importance of strength training (though guilty of missing a few sessions),how small changes in nutrition (eating right an hour before run)and hydration (always carry water along)can fuel and better your run, new easy to follow strategies from fellow experienced runners(like how to tackle elevation at the your everyday trail ),train your mind to focus,what dressing works best for me in different temperatures ( as everyone is different) and most importantly how to discipline myself for my runs amidst the dynamic changing of priorities in a normal week day.

So, definitely the strength to tackle these new long training distances for me comes from learning from the experience and wisdom of our coaches and fellow runners.

From @Kamal Karimanal

this is so true! Not only is the novice in the first picture getting stronger by persisting, we also see that he is using an Aid (a shield) to weather the rock storm.

This has several parallels in running. To a novice runner, the entire process of finding time, enduring discomfort and handling the weather conditions may seem insurmountable obstacles. But, by the end of the season, they all will have gone through life changing personal development in physical as well as mental fitness. Having said that, it can be debilitating setback if one conflates determination with bravado and tries to avoid training aids such as fluid intake, basic nutritional supplements, sun protection, weather friendly attire, the right shoes etc. these are like the shield. If a runner fails to utilize these training aides, all it takes is an injury or very bad experience that will cause premature exit from running and result in foregoing valuable life changing gains.

To me personally, i had very bad experience after long runs that made me feel weak despite extraordinary efforts. I was not taking sufficient gels during the run. I thought just one gel can get me through a half marathon. Luckily i realized my mistake and followed instructions to overvome a debilitating condition related to running. Feel much stronger after runs because of it.

From Coach Mo @Moninder Bhogal

When you start training even small things like heat, cold, rain dark etc seems like big road blockers and make us vulnerable. With the training and your consistent efforts, YOU become strong and rise above the situation. The problems are still there but your have developed a protective shield around you 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼