We run many races in our lives, from short sprints to lengthy wars of attrition.
Some are ‘A’ races, central to our mission, the big goals we’ve set our sites on, that we have given meaning to and are working diligently towards. Others are ‘B’ and ‘C’ races, done for practice, testing or just the fun of it.
It’s knowing the difference and racing accordingly that’s key.
It’s easy to slip into racing everything like it’s an ‘A’ race. Letting our competitive spirit get the best of us. Physically and psychologically investing. Going out and giving it our all.
But if we do this every time we step up to the start line we miss the point. There is inherent value in treating the ‘B’ and ‘C’ races for what they are. Testing and having permission to fail is important. Doing things for fun with no expected outcome is important. Not only that, charging hard at everything is a path to burnout and injury, and when we put ourselves in ’the hole’ mentally and physically, we limit our ability to get out and train the next day, harming preparation for our ‘A’ race – what we’ve decided is truly important to us.
This, of course, applies to both mental and physical endeavours. But it’s mainly a small reminder to myself ahead of a ‘C’ run today.