We decided to start the New Year with inspiration. We will be inspired not even by a story, but by a declaration of love for running from a person with a rather impressive running experience. He doesn't run for results, he runs because he loves it. Running for him is meditation, flow.
So, the creator of the magazine "It's interesting to live" Armen Petrosyan with his running story!
I have been trying to run in the morning since childhood. My dad was a military man. Wherever we moved, I signed up for sports clubs everywhere. Regularly, despite not very comfortable soldier's shoes, I ran for two years in the army. In 1990, I became an entrepreneur, and I didn't have enough time to deal with myself. By the age of 32, he had acquired a standard set of business people: a bouquet of diseases, excess weight, insomnia. The experience of conscious running has been counted since January 1, 2011.
In 1998 I got into a car accident. In memory of her, I still have problems with my knee and spine. In order not to get fat and maintain the spine in working order, I started going to fitness halls 2-3 times a year. Started, quit. For several years I did gymnastics, which we pass off as yoga.
My bad knee made me run. It began to hurt more and more often. I walked around with a wand a couple of times. I even thought it was cool. One day, in front of my children, I was barely getting out of the steering wheel, and I was struck. I seriously wondered what awaits me next. I wanted to run from fear.
Running still doesn't always bring me pleasure. In bad weather, I often have to convince myself to go out for training. I've been through trauma. I have read a lot about the need for a gradual increase in loads, about the importance of listening to your body. I read a lot of books, but I had to learn from my mistakes.
A lot changed after I couldn't run the marathon in New York. I have been diligently preparing for the start for almost a year. I imagined how I would finish, I was guessing the time. A month before the start, he was injured. The tickets and the hotel were bought. I decided to go to the start at least as a spectator. I stood for three hours in the crowd. The people who made the strongest impression on me were the people who ran for their own pleasure. There I decided that now the main thing for me would be the ability to move without restrictions. After six months of recovery, I began to prepare for my marathon, but pay attention to the running process, every workout. I keep a strange training diary in which I write down the mood with which I ran, thoughts and ideas that came to mind. I train in the forest, so it's not difficult for me to find interest and objects to observe while jogging.
Now my goal is to keep myself in such shape that I don't limp all year round, and while there is no snow, from May to November, to be able to run a marathon in 4 hours.
I try to take part in all competitions that are held in our city, but I consider marathons to be serious starts for which I purposefully prepare. So far I have managed to overcome the Siberian Marathon in Omsk in September 2014. I am very happy with that start. I tried very hard not to let my knee down and not have to get off. I was happy at the finish. I compete only with myself, and this time the victory was mine.
For me, a long run is an intense communication with myself. Participation in competitions adds emotions. Returning by train from Omsk, I filled a notebook with thoughts that caught up with me after the competition.
It's hard for me to run in winter. In October, we already have snow, it's cold enough. My motivation is simple: if I don't load my body, my head works worse. I know that I have more time, I get sick less often, so I run. A very pragmatic approach.
Jogging for me is a way to reset my head. I don't listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks. I run and listen to my body. I call it "thinking with the body." You can just count your breath in time with the steps. This is the best meditation for me. Fortunately, I live in a small town, 10 minutes by car — and I'm in the woods. You've worked out and you're going back to work with renewed vigor.
I must admit, I myself doubted that I could run a marathon. Such achievements make me calmer, it adds confidence that you can do anything you really want.
This year I have planned three marathon distances. In 2016, on my 50th birthday, I want to give myself the gift of overcoming half of the Ironman distance.
Running for me is meditation. I start running and gradually switch my attention to my body. After 10-15 km, a lot of things that you could have worried about at the start disappear from your head. It's like in that parable about the monk who explained to the disciple that he could not teach him anything. Since it is impossible to pour tea into an overflowing bowl. A long run frees my mind for new insights and fresh experiences.
While running, I try to distract myself from all thoughts. I run and switch my attention to different parts of the body. I breathe through them. I count my breath, my steps. I repeat short mantras.
I would advise you to set yourself a trial period of 100 days during which to run regularly. Many of my friends, who started running with me, finished in 2-3 weeks. Give yourself a word, challenge yourself for 100 days to run every other day, 3-4 times a week. During this time, you will surely get involved, because you will feel positive changes from regular classes.
I adhere to the following principle: fast is slow without interruption. It is better to run slowly, little by little, but regularly, than to get injured in a month or stop running altogether, because you have "everything hurts".
Try not to jump on the scales every day for the first 100 days, not to count kilometers and not to break personal records. Enjoy the movement, stay in the fresh air. Don't compare yourself to anyone. Compete only with your own laziness and disorganization.
The most important thing is to try to find joy in running. Our life consists of successful days. Successful days are made up of happy moments. Running will add opportunities for you to find positive moments.
