life is a journey not a race so enjoy every chapter
A Singh Story
Sharing stories and perspectives helps people in our community improve their ability to comprehend whatever they’re going through… good and bad. The better we can comprehend our circumstances, the better we can navigate our lives.
This week, we get a beautiful perspective from one of R4Rs best, Singh.
It's always lovely to meet fellow Canberra runners in our interstate events even better when you are running back to back both days.
On the first day, I kicked-off the half marathon in pouring rain, I had fresh legs and wanted to run faster like everyone but something in me was telling me hold your horses you have a full marathon to run tomorrow.
I wasn’t sure how hard to go and how much energy to save in the tank for the next day. This too happens to all of us on a day-to-day basis when we are in a dilemma, should we be partying hard or saving up for a house or retirement?
We live in a fear of what if we outlive our savings or we die with a bank balance which is a waste of all the overtime we did for no reason. Well, I finished the half marathon with enough in the tank, not sure if I could buy a house for that.
On day two, while starting the race on tired legs I could feel some niggles here and there. Some of the runners smiled at me and took off at a fast pace. I was trying to tell myself not to be carried over by other fast runners.
Same philosophy in life, not to compare your chapter one with someone's chapter four as we are all in our own journey of life. After about 30 kms I was feeling good and could see I was overtaking other runners.
Hang on, I was passing these guys who took off like a bride's nightie at the start, they seemed buggered now. I paused and asked if they were okay and shared a gel with them and moved on.
This happens in life too, we are not sure whose life story can change at what chapter for better or worse. Someone meets the right person at the right time and may have it all, and the other may make a wrong choice and lose it all in the next chapter.
I was fortunate enough to be an Achilles guide to a young visually impaired person who lost his eyesight in a car crash in 2010 at 27 years of age. I was amazed by his motivational talks during our run that such a life changing event could keep someone moving with happiness.
So be humble and kind. As we are all in our own stage of life and running our own race.
With three kilometres to the end, I could hear a lot of cheering, I tried to run faster in excitement and saw people walking in the opposite direction with medals around their necks. They had finished the race at least half an hour early and seemed like they were cheering "suckers hurry up, people need to go home".
No matter how fast you think you are, there is someone faster than you and no matter how slow you think you are, you are still faster than the person sitting on the couch with their phone on socials, wishing it was them crossing the finish line like you.
Moral of the story, life is a journey not a race so enjoy every chapter as it comes as no one knows what's written in our next chapter or if this our last. No matter what age or stage of life you’re in, be thankful, grateful add a few minutes of exercise to your bank daily. You may not see any results now but would definitely reap the benefits in future.
Thankyou for reading my mind games during the double marathon.
This Friday
Running for Resilience is teaming up with UC to promote mental health on campus. Join us on Friday, 26th July at 8:30 am from the Coffee Grounds Café for a 5-6km jog, followed by coffee and breakfast!
Next Monday
Join the Running for Resilience team at 6pm next Monday on the 29th of July for a run from The Dock, followed by a screening of The Blood Run movie at 7:15pm, with all proceeds going to the Leukaemia Foundation.
This is beautiful Singh! Thank you 💖