Psychology…
It is through our motions that we learn about the world and our place within it. From eye movements, to limb movement and the manipulation of objects, to crawling and then walking, the developing infant learns that he or she is separate from the world but part of it. The infant learns in time that he or she has agency within the world, that their behaviour/motions actually create changes – in perspective and in how the world responds. From being a relatively passive recipient of stimuli and a reflex driven responder , the infant becomes an active participant in the constant interplay between the individual and their environment, increasingly exercising decision-making and choice.
Physics…
Sir Isaac Newton had a few things to say about motion and he even went so far as to set out some fundamental laws. Break them at your peril. I think it is his First Law of Motion that has particular relevance to running:
“Every object persists in its state of rest or uniform motion in a straight line unless it is compelled to change that state by forces impressed on it.”
This is also known as the Law of Inertia.
I can often describe myself as an object at rest. On the sofa. I am compelled to change that state by my desire for a biscuit from the tin in the kitchen or for a beer from the can in the fridge. Inertia is not our friend. Overcoming inertia takes a great deal of effort, like trying to move a large rock. However, once moving, in beautiful harmony with Newton’s first law, less force is needed to keep going. Herein lie important messages about motivation – running is easier after the first few steps! It is all about trying to discover the inner desire/reasons/motivation to start running in the first place, and to turn it into a regular activity.
More Psychology…
My motivation to do anything, including running, fluctuates over time. It is not a constant. It is mercurial. By understanding and accepting the fragile nature of our motivation, we can learn to nurture it rather than berate it. Treat your motivation to an ice cream once in a while! It is for you to identify the reasons why you want to run or feel you should run. There may be commonalities with others in the running community, but essentially they are your reasons. Embrace idiosyncrasy.
I find that running on a regular basis provides a structure to my week. It has obvious health benefits in its own right, and also indirectly because I am forced to think more carefully about my diet, my hydration, and my consumption of alcohol. It benefits my mind, allowing me time to think, to problem solve, to daydream and be creative. It has emotional benefits, lifting my mood (again, directly through the release of endorphins, and indirectly through a sense of achievement – no matter how fast or slow I was, on that cold and wet morning I overcame the inertia, I got that rock rolling!) and reducing stress. For me, running is CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) in motion – behaviour leading to positive changes in my mood and thinking. It has a big impact on my self-esteem – even when everything else is going wrong, I can remind myself that I have 2 marathons under my belt. So, I can at least run away from everything going wrong!
Poetry…
One of my favourite poems is “On The Move” by Thom Gunn, a sequel to his less successful “On The Sofa“. The final line is great inspiration on those long runs when the end still seems so far away…
“One is always nearer by not keeping still“
As I said to someone at the beginning of my quest to become a runner late in life –
“How hard can it be to run a marathon? It is just one foot in front of the other!”
Finishing Line…
To follow on from my observations in the first paragraph – make a decision to exercise. The choice will lead to physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual benefits that will surprise you! It is never too late, but seek medical advice if necessary and start slowly.
Run free and enjoy!
Psychologist on the Move 