A bit of healthy competition.

An extra guest blogger for this month, from my wonderful partner, Justine. Justine has written some blogs for us in the past, as a ghost writer. However, for this blog, she has agreed to write under her real name Justine speaks from the heart for this blog. Below are her words.

So the big one has passed, last week the London marathon occurred, and the BBC gave extensive and beautiful coverage to the high-point of the British running calendar. Professionals, elite runners, charity fund raisers, club runners and fun runners all embarked on the 26.2 mile course weaving through the streets of our capital, to the cheers of the crowds covering every inch of their journey.

For most it will have been a journey of some form or other. For some an emotional journey, perhaps overcoming their own ill health to run, or running in memory of someone who was treasured to them. For some it was perhaps a battle for themselves to get to that start line, let alone the finish line, and the journey of covering each and every one of those steps was an effort. For some, if not most, this will be off the back of months of training, early morning runs, late evening runs, solo runs, time away from family and loved ones, to ensure they could do justice on the day. For others it will be the challenge of beating themselves and achieving a new personal best time. Each person facing their own personal competition.

For most people on completion of their marathon, the first question likely to be asked is “what was your time?” Within the running fraternity it is a question always hovering, both for individuals and within groups. And of course, we all want to know how someone did, but why do we become so focused on times? Why do those few seconds matter? Why do we feel so crestfallen when we don’t achieve what we expected or want to, why do we feel jealous when our peers beat our time, or pleased when they don’t? Is this all healthy for us?

Don’t get me wrong, I am in no way saying competition and timing and increasing mileage are wrong, goodness no, but there becomes a very thin line almost invisible line, whereby this healthy fun competition or challenge to oneself switches into something a little unhealthier.

I write this from the experience of myself and many of those around me in the running world.

After starting out with parkrun and being pleasantly surprised I could complete the course albeit slowly and with child in toe. I actually enjoyed it too, the endorphin release was great, and the smile of joy from all those around me finishing was great. My time was incidental. As the weeks progressed and it became easier, I noticed times were coming down, and I was again pleasantly shocked. And so happy that my child’s time was also improving, bringing them great happiness.

The day we came sub 30 together was great!

It was soon after this that I joined a club to try and improve my technique, to help me use my body better, and let’s be honest, it wasn’t going to be long before I couldn’t keep up with said infant! Don’t get me wrong, being part of a club in great! The motivation, the encouragement, the friendships.

Once races and competition start to become part of life, be that against your team mate, your rival clubs, or yourself, it gets serious, and for some too serious. The scales of balance may sway into a negative position. When the drive for those few seconds becomes all consuming; social events are rebuffed because of running or training, non-running friends may fall by the side, family time becomes compromised, eating habits and exercises become too important, then the competition has changed. It is perhaps no longer that fun, enjoyable event, it is no longer for keeping the weight stable and the heart strong, it is THE priority.

I know, it happened to me, and yes I have a parkrun time of 22 mins and a half marathon time of 1 hour 45 as PB’s, but; at a cost. Times that cannot be taken away, but times I don’t plan to re achieve, life is more fun without the pressure.

As a physio, it is something that I see which delays recovery from injury for many people. People who NEED to get back earlier than their body is ready for, or return from injury, or ill health, and quickly expect their body to return to the same level of running as before. Demand it of their body, which is not ready and then they subsequently return to an injured state.

I stepped away from club life, and continued in the running world, in smaller groups. I love going to parkrun, but cant remember when I last ran it, I don’t mind. I still run, I run with my friends and my partner, and my local group. I run for fun and fitness, and whilst I have joined in several month long challenges in running. I have also been sensible, and pulled back, and not run on the days I have been full of cold, or the kids have been ill and need me, or I have had another event in my life. I have friends who are following the RON Hill run every day, and whilst there is nothing wrong with this per se, but it is after all only running, and not the be all and end all of life.

Whilst I apologise if Mo, Ussain or the Brownlee brothers are reading this, in which case most of it is irrelevant to you!

My message for my friends and readers is:

running is fun, running is great fitness, running is a great calmer and undoubtably helps with both mental and physical health. Those happy endorphins are great and the post run/race buzz on social media is great too! Just don’t let it be everything. If injury come and you can’t run, it can be a lonely place. We all need fun, fitness, health, friends and family equally…….