THE PRICE OF CONVICTION, THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE AND THE PITFALLS OF PATIENCE
©Patagonia
The experience of not seeing progress as fast as I would want to can feel frustrating. While can borrow someone’s idea or dream, but you cannot borrow their conviction. Conviction is the glue that holds your dream together when everything is falling apart.
There’s a very fine line between conviction and stubbornness. As I have experienced before, one’s stubbornness masquerades as conviction, but when there is no underlying foundation to support a set of beliefs, it quickly leads to losing sight of your goal. If your conviction is shaken at every turn, it may be a case of not wanting to lose face rather than having a deeply held understanding of your goal. Conviction is mentally costly because it often requires us to hold onto something others see no value in and we are willing to sacrifice everything else because we inherently believe that we are on the right path. If it means looking stupid for a while, it should not matter in the greater scheme of things. Once you have conviction, and merge it with diligent effort, then you will see the results you are longing for. If you believe in what you are doing, build a solid foundation mentally to help you weather the inevitable storms that will come your way.
“Patience is a virtue,” the cliche goes.
“Trust the process,” the elder reiterates.
“Life is a journey, not a destination,” the famous phrase echoes through time and across social media.
Having the conviction of pursing your dream, often means not signing up for the easy road. We are intrinsically wired to look for the easy way out and the path of least resistance can be a tempting. We are constantly on the precipice of better and that our past does not define us as much as our dedication to a brighter future. We can slip and we can fall, but better days are ahead if we are willing to put in the work. As a runner we push past patience so frequently, and encounter injury so often, because we dream that on one special day we might escape the typical confines of muscle fatigue and oxygen debt, and bound freely towards a better version of ourselves. So, to unlock magic, we must imagine reaching heights that seem unattainable. We need to understand that patience is virtuous, and life is about the journey and not the destination, which is why you may have to take one step back, in order to take two steps forward. Patience for an uncertain future is often conflicted with short-term opportunity and instant gratification, yet no one can tell you which moment will be greatest.
There are two fatal flaws around the concepts of patience. Firstly, steady progression may take too long. The artificial timelines of sport provide structure and excitement. Whether aiming for an upcoming marathon, or trying to win a championship this season, the opportunity at hand feels grand enough to stay long. On the other hand, we aim to achieve near-term success, focussing on the present moment, because tomorrow is not given, especially in a world in that we are living today. Maintaining balance between ambition and restraint is elusive when the window for opportunities is only open for so long.
Second, progression takes longer for some than others. Though reasonable runners accept that some athletes are simply faster at birth, it is maddening to realize that some people also seem able to train without restraint. The cruel truth about “patience” is that while it might be prudent, some athletes forgo it and survive. Maybe the simple “patience” platitude is so difficult to swallow because it is not enforced equally. It is an ego blow to realize that not only were you not born at that higher level you long for, but you also may never get there no matter how much work you do. Settling into steady improvement demands appreciation for where you are now, even if you wish you were higher. Reflecting on the deeper truth of patience and appreciation for the journey, what emerges is that no one knows when your best moments will occur. Patience is key, while battling the inner conflict, ensuring that you arrive at the finish line. Your body is moving towards one direction, while your mind is heading another way. This internal fight is the beauty of the ultra-distance races. There are plenty of moments of pain and boredom, which make you want to stop rather than thinking about the next step. Yet, it is the monotony of the given moment, which becomes the beauty of the entire experience.
Limiting emotions means saving energy. When you make decisions, emotions are the main things that make you choose one thing or another. After all rationality is the name of the game and enjoying emotions are they key to unlock the magic. Despite all the training, as the hours build up, highs and lows, anger, and joy are becoming inevitable. Embrace them, but do not let them decide your decisions, separating what you are feeling and how you respond to those emotions. It is a lot of counting. Counting steps, counting houses, counting road signs. Counting the things, you see. Whatever it is. 3, 2,1 and eventually you will have the finish line in-sight. Suddenly, as always, body and mind loosen up, and you find yourself picking up the pace and running across the finish line.