As a leader, coach, and mentor, I often encounter individuals who experience setbacks. They feel all their hard work is wasted and they need to start over from scratch, and they have a hard time motivating themselves. It's challenging to instill even a tiny bit of hope that their efforts were not in vain and that it's okay to be patient, relax, and recharge before starting again. I understand how difficult it is, as I've been through it myself.
I found my love for running in 2021. I did my first-ever 10K run that year and in 2022, I finished my first and only half marathon. I was slow, I got injured and recovered, and I unknowingly finished the half marathon with COVID within the time limit. For almost two years, I made progress, my cardio capacity and muscle strength for running improved, allowing me to run for three hours straight. I was enjoying running but also this progress.
However, I hit a setback after the half marathon. I found myself in a constant state of feeling "under the weather." Most of the times, I was not feeling well and so tired. Running became impossible, and even walking was challenging. This lasted for almost a year, leading me to leave my corporate job in hopes of regaining my energy.
Three months passed with no improvement, and I started to fear that I might never return to my previous fitness level. When I attempted to run again, my Garmin showed a significant drop in my VO2Max level.
I felt a mix of fear and anger. Fear that I may not get fit again, especially considering human health levels typically decline after peaking in their 20s and 30s. I felt like my starting point of decline was much lower. Anger that all my previous 2 years of effort was wasted and I have to start all over again.
It's easy to say that all your time and effort is not wasted and will help somehow, even if you don't realize it. But it doesn't feel that way when you can't see the immediate benefits.
Eventually, I started to run again. Because I actually love running. And I changed my goal, deciding not to obsess with getting back to my old records or fitness level. Listen to my body, enjoy again, if I get there again great, if not great, I am having fun. Not doing any exercise is just not an option, because I am on a declining slide. Even if it keeps me at the same height on the curve, that's better than going down.
Two months later, I participated in the Hot Chocolate Run in Golden Gate Park. It's my favorite running event and I highly recommend it to everyone. A friend of mine joined who is not a runner. She was mixing walking and running to finish the 5K, and I was running next to her. So, yes, I was running at walking speed. But I ran the entire 5K without a break or walk. I was so happy. One, because I really enjoyed it. And two, because I felt hope. Starting again didn't seem as bad, and I was more happy that I could do my favorite exercise again.
We run into setbacks in life, and it's not easy to bounce back. But it is a skill we can learn, practice, and improve, much like building muscle through exercise.
We are starting Adaptability and Resilience Unit on March 12. Learn more ways to persevere setbacks a little easier.
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