The Power of Patience: A Fitness Journey

The Dangers of Impatience

Growing up, I was taught that a strong work ethic and a sense of urgency were essential to achieving my fitness goals. I believed that if I wasn’t pushing myself to the limit, I wasn’t doing enough. This mentality served me well in some ways, but it also led to burnout and injury. I let my inner critic drive me to take on too much, too soon, resulting in a string of failed attempts and setbacks.

A New Approach

One summer, I decided to take a different approach. I started distance running, not because I was good at it, but because I wasn’t. It was a challenge, and I was drawn to it. I didn’t read up on the best techniques or train with a coach; I just started running. And to my surprise, it worked. I got better, stronger, and faster.

However, as I continued to push myself, I realized that I was neglecting other aspects of my fitness. I was slow, lacked quickness, and couldn’t explode or attack. It was time to reset and focus on building speed.

A Fateful Sunday

On a sweltering Sunday in July, I woke up determined to make a change. I designed a new challenge on the spot: a series of dead sprints, goal to goal, 20 times. Between sets, I’d walk back, do some pushups, and try to look cool. But I skipped the stretching, thinking it was boring.

The Price of Ambition

As I sprinted and walked, I felt like a warrior on the battlefield. But by the 14th sprint, I was fully primal, yelling loudly, until I felt a pop. My hamstring had called it quits, and I face-planted, knowing it was bad. I was alone, stranded, and dehydrated, thinking of hamburgers.

The Lesson Learned

In that moment, I realized that my body had been trying to tell me something all along. I’d been ignoring the signs, pushing through the pain, and neglecting my own needs. It was time to listen, to slow down, and to focus on patience and rest.

I learned that fitness isn’t just about pushing ourselves to the limit; it’s about listening to our bodies and honoring their limitations. And sometimes, that means taking a step back and starting again.