The balanced runner
The life of a marathoner is one of commitment, discipline, and persistence. As a parent, a working professional, and a competitive runner, the challenges of balancing these different roles can be daunting. But the rewards of training for and competing in marathons make it all worth it.
When I became a father last year, I realised being a parent is a full-time job in itself but add in the demands of a busy profession and marathon training, and the task of balancing it all can seem impossible. The milestones for every passing week were the commitment to prioritise training and make time for other aspects of life, even on the busiest days.
The discipline required to train for a marathon is unlike anything else. It's easy to make excuses and skip a training session, but the commitment to show up day after day, no matter what, is what sets successful marathoners apart. And that builds your character to endure the forty two kilometres. In the digital world we live, motivation is in abundance. Discipline is scarce.
But discipline alone is not enough to succeed in marathoning. For marathoners who are also parents, It's not always easy to find time for long runs or workouts while also taking care of household responsibilities. When I became a dad, I thought my days of competitive marathoning were over. Training takes a toll on your body, and as a new dad, I don't have the luxury of spending hours recovering on the couch after a long run.
But with the support of my wife, I've been able to find the balance and make it work. I got faster in my marathon timings after becoming a dad. Ran two marathons in a gap of 6 months finishing 2:59 & 2:56. My wife & son are part of the team. I would come back home and talk to them about my runs. My wife geeks out with me on my run splits. She has been my biggest supporter throughout my marathon journey, both before and after becoming a father. Without her support, I don't know if I could do it.
The biggest investment to your performance is your family. And the time you spend with them is the premium you pay.
The unspoken gains of being a marathoner is persistence developed through training that you could carry over into other areas of life. It's not always easy, but the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with crossing the finish line makes it all worth it.
For those considering taking on the challenge of marathon training, don't be afraid to ask for help. Not just for being a better runner, but to be a present parent ,mindful partner and colleague. When i coach my athletes, i often emphasise “Running is not life, it’s just part of life”
The difference between a good runner and a great one is that a good runner is more concerned about the outcome of the race while a great one is fascinated by the process & learning from the training.
Remember, becoming a balanced runner is not an event. It is a process.