QT: Reflect on Your Running Big Picture Every Once in a While

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How often do you zoom out and take a look at the big picture?

Specifically, as it relates to your running?

I’m not sure why, but I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.

Mid-life crisis? Potentially.

But whatever is causing it, I think taking a look at your running big picture, at least semi-regularly, is probably a good idea.

Define Your Running Why

When I’m talking about your big picture, what I’m really talking about is your why.

Why do you run?

Mental health? Physical health? Social connection? Time alone?

There is no real right or wrong answer to the question.

But being clear about why you run is kind of important, especially in the big picture.

3 Reasons to Look at the Big Picture

I’m sure there are plenty of benefits to zooming out on your running on a regular basis.

But in my mid-life crisis phase, the following three reasons stand out to me at the moment.

Minimize the Risk of Burnout

Even the most dedicated runners can struggle with a feeling of burnout or lack of motivation at times.

It seems to me that burnout is more common when you’re disconnected from your why.

Races. PRs. Specific workouts that you absolutely crush.

No doubt, those things are exciting and can be big motivators at times.

But I don’t think many of us really have a why that is based around running faster or acquiring bling.

So if all of a sudden your race calendar is barren or you have a couple of races that don’t go to plan, it’s easy to lose sight of the reason you’re out there putting in the work.

Change Isn’t a Bad Thing

We all go through various changes in our time on this side of the dirt in every aspect of life.

Running is no different.

Maybe you used to think of a half marathon as a long distance, now you’re not excited about anything less than 50k.

Maybe you used to love hammering repeats at the track, but now you’re all about getting to the trails and just cruising.

Your running is naturally going to evolve over the years, and that’s ok.

But your why? Odds are that isn’t going to change.

Reflecting on the big picture every once in a while is a good way to stay grounded to the sport not matter how it evolves over the years.

Details Don’t Matter

Exact mileage. Specific workouts. Mile splits.

In the big picture?

More than a few of us get so hung up on the various details, we mistakenly think that they are vitally important.

They aren’t.

Do they make a difference in your short-term goals, especially if you’re building toward a goal race?

Yeah, for sure.

But if you connect with your running, why once in a while, you’ll start to realize that the difference between 5.97 miles and 6.0 miles on a random Tuesday is literally nothing.

The Big Picture Keeps You Going

One thing I want to be clear about, I’m not against short-term goals.

Setting your sights on a new PR or challenging yourself in a race you’ve never done before can be a great idea.

But assuming you’re not ready to hang up your running shoes for good, those goals aren’t enough.

But your why? The big picture reason that you run?

That’s the kind of thing that will keep you going for the next decade or few.

So every once in a while, do yourself a favor and zoom out.

Reconnect to the reasons why running is so important to you.

And then keep getting after it for as long as that why still resonates.

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Reflecting on your big picture reason for running, on occasion, is a good thing. #runchat Share on X

How Often Do You Reflect on Your Running Big Picture?

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