Power to not react

One of the sayings I think we have all heard over and over in life is, “Respond not React”.  I think most of us would all recognize that as truth.  One of the ways I really saw that play out recently was while watching the Tour de France.

During most every stage of the race an attack group would move up front and take off.  Watching what would be the winner of the tour, Bradley Wiggins, and his team every stage was really interesting.  They would always have the discipline to not react.  They had a plan and would stick to that plan.  They would not be swayed by the moment or the move but they would stay the course.  Since their team had the top two finishing positions in the tour I think they had a great plan.

It was interesting again to see this play out in the men’s marathon race during the Olympics.  How do you not get influenced by the moment?  The winner stayed patient and moved when he knew he needed to.

Can I keep from reacting at the start line of a 26.2 mile race and running a crazy fast first mile?

Can I keep calm coming off the Queensboro bridge and not run another crazy fast mile?

In a long race I think you have to make sure you are not reacting to things along the way.  You just have to do what you do.  It is so easy in everything in life to watch others too often.  I think many of the problems we all face today is because we watch others and not ourselves.

From finances, religion, politics, running and just everyday conflicts most happen because we are more worried about others than running our own race.

How can I run my own race? 

I run my own race first my making a plan.  Without a plan, all I do is react.  I don’t know any other way if I have not made a plan.  Once I have made my plan I have to have the discipline to stick with it.  For a long time that was a problem for me and I could not determine why.  I finally convinced myself if I had the discipline to do all of the others things it took why can’t I use that same discipline to run my own race and follow my plan?  Sometimes it is easier said than done.

Am I done reacting?  Probably not, but I am getting better.  One thing that is helpful is knowing where I might react.  Going to New York in November and knowing where I might react and where to put that emphasis will certainly help.

Happy running….