I’ve had an incredible five years of running- one minimal injury, a steady routine and close to 5000 miles under my belt. Any runner would be proud. I started running actively as a result of a breakup in college and I haven’t looked back since. Starting out as a runner can be a daunting experience, especially if you’ve never run before. I am grateful for the breakup in many ways because it catapulted me into this new world that has kept me sane for almost half a decade.

Although I had previously ran as part of a KenSAP, I became fully committed while in college. Since then, running has served me beyond physical and mental benefits. I keep learning new techniques and lessons along the way that I apply to my career as an engineer. Here are the top lessons for the last five years:

What You Love, You Invest In

Running, as any physically taxing sport, requires passion, commitment, and investment. I have learned that investing in the right gear, that regular massage, training program(s), races, and nutrition is crucial to achieving a running goal. It also takes a lot of dedication to wake up early and go running. I have learned to sometimes forgo comfort as I work towards the running goals that I want to achieve.

If you truly love something, you will invest in it.

Time, resources and commitment are essential in achieving success and fulfillment in anything you do whether it’s a career, a hobby, or relationship. Investing in what you love means prioritizing your needs, goals, and values.

I happily extrapolate this to other parts of my life- work, adventures and relationships. If I want something so bad, I will prioritize my time and resources to pursue it. It’s not always a clear-cut path, but this is a guiding principle above which I navigate my most of my life and career.

I’ve invested in my running by purchasing high-quality shoes, clothes, and gear that help me perform at my best. I’ve also invested in races, which have taken me to different parts of the world and allowed me to meet amazing people. By investing in my running, I’ve been able to see improvements in my speed, endurance, and overall health.

As someone working in tech, I invest in continuous learning overtime to keep growing in the field. It takes time and dedication, but it pays off.

What Your Mind Can Conceive You Can Achieve

Running is not just physical; it’s also mental. In fact, you’ll get told that on race day that getting to the finishing line will be 70-80% mental and the rest physical (all the preparation that you could have done IS done, it’s all about how much you want to see it through). The mind plays a significant role in overcoming challenges, pushing boundaries, and achieving goals. If you believe you can run a marathon, you can. If you believe you can improve your time, you will. Similarly, if you believe in yourself, your abilities, and your potential, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. I’ve learned to train my mind to focus on my goals, embrace challenges, and learn from failures. I take this into my career whenever I am working on something new or want to grow in a particular area. This has been revolutionary for me and has helped me overcome imposter syndrome while working in tech. It’s all about the right mindset.

When I first started running, I could barely run a mile without stopping. Over the years, I have continued to push myself and believed that I could run further and faster, and I have.

I have visualized myself crossing the finish line and believed that I could do it. And I did. This lesson has taught me that anything is possible if you believe in yourself and put in the work.

The mind is a powerful thing. If you can conceive it, you can achieve it.

Rest Is Important

Running is not just about training hard; it’s also about resting well. Rest is crucial in preventing injuries, promoting recovery, and improving performance. I’ve been through periods of my life where I neglected my physical, mental, and emotional well-being in pursuit of your goals.

Running has taught me that it is important to take breaks, prioritize sleep, practice self-care, and seek support when needed. Resting doesn’t mean giving up or being lazy. It means recharging, rejuvenating, and refocusing. Similarly, rest is essential in achieving balance, wellness, and productivity in life and career.

Runners often focus on the importance of training and pushing their limits. However, rest is just as important as training. I’ve learned to listen to my body and take rest days when I need them. I’ve also learned to prioritize sleep and recovery by stretching, foam rolling, and getting regular massages. By taking care of my body and allowing it to rest, I’ve been able to stay injury-free and continue to make progress in my running.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of taking care of yourself when it comes to working in tech. Burnout is a real threat in the tech industry, and it’s crucial to prioritize your well-being and long-term aspirations. I’ve written about burnout before and why it is important to make time for self-care, take breaks when you need them, and don’t be afraid to speak up if you’re feeling overwhelmed because without rest, you risk burnout and a decline in performance.

Nothing From Your Past Is Wasted

Every single run I’ve been to has helped build my endurance or speed and ultimately made me a stronger runner. Likewise, every experience and skill I’ve gained through a personal/work project, an article, a minor interaction at work or different relationships outside of work in the past has contributed to making me a better engineer. Everything I’ve learned and experienced has helped shape my problem-solving abilities, creativity, and overall approach to work. I’ve come to appreciate the value of a diverse background and the unique perspectives and insights it can bring to my work as an engineer. I have gained transferable skills that have brought me to where I am.

The point is that all of our experiences – whether they’re from a previous job, a hobby, or even just life in general – can be valuable in our current roles. We just have to be willing to look for those connections and see how we can apply what we’ve learned in new and unexpected ways.

Good Things Take Time

It takes months of consistent training to build up speed and endurance and improve as a runner. I have dedicated months of training towards a particular race or to achieve a personal record. Likewise, it also takes time to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as an engineer. It’s important to be patient and persistent, and to focus on the process rather than just the end result. By putting in the time and effort needed to improve, whether it’s logging miles on the road or learning new programming languages, we can gradually build up our skills and achieve success over time. Put in the time and effort needed to improve, you’ll get there eventually.

~ ‘I’ll be happy if running and I can grow old together’ ― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.

Running continues to teach me valuable lessons that apply to my life. I am grateful for the strength and mindset that have kept me going and the running community that share amazing resources. While I have little intentions to run a marathon, I hope I can run every day just to feel a runner’s high. Keep running, keep learning, and keep growing!