What I've Learned from Running and How It Has Benefited Me
What have I learned from running? Can we really learn anything just from running down the street? Can something like this really change our lives or even turn them upside down? Yes, it can—but first, forget about what this person did or what that person wore, and focus on the positives in everything around you. Notice all the beautiful and positive qualities in everyone who’s running around you and with you on your team or in your group, and you’ll learn a lot.
I started running when I was in my third year past forty, and I finished my first Race Marathon At the age of forty-five, after two years of training and relentless effort—during which I faced many physical challenges as well as social, health, and mental difficulties—it was not easy for a man in his fifties, a family man and father of two, to stick to a near-daily exercise routine, so I had to find suitable solutions that balanced exercise with my family, social, and professional commitments. So I began exercising during my children’s practice sessions—each of which lasts about two hours—and then went running at dawn before heading to work, while my family was still asleep. The first lesson I learned was that time management is possible with some sacrifices on my part—out of concern for my family—and on the part of my family members, who may have missed out on some activities and social events.
As for the second lesson, I learned from running that any goal—no matter how difficult or impossible it may seem—can be achieved through hard work, perseverance, and training. This applies not only to sports but to all aspects of life; whatever you want to learn or master, you will achieve it through commitment, effort, and continuous work.
I’ve learned that spreading positive messages—especially within the family—can be done through actions rather than words. My participation in sports rubbed off on my children, who came to love sports and understood the importance of commitment by observing my dedication to them. I felt and realized that I am a role model for my children and for those I love.
I’ve learned that learning from others, recognizing their strengths, and trying to adopt and incorporate them into my own character isn’t a flaw—the real flaw is rejecting those strengths simply because I found them in someone I don’t know. I’ve truly learned a lot from my teammates.in Running Amman And not just in sports, but in my lifestyle as well. From some of them, I learned discipline: during the year and a half I spent with the members of this team, most of them never missed a single practice, not even once, and they never tried to cut the practice short for any reason. The practice ends when the predetermined distance is completed, not when they feel tired or bored. From this, I learned that a strong, resilient mindset is the foundation of success; I would not have succeeded if I hadn’t possessed that mindset—one that believed in my ability to do it.
From this, I learned to reflect on everything I encountered while running—on the tree and how God caused it to grow to provide sustenance for every living creature; on the drop of water that falls on our heads as we run and how God created all living things from it; and in the conditions of people and stones—and how God has blessed us with every blessing, from health to shelter to material means. So I have come to appreciate more fully the blessings God has bestowed upon me, and I look to those who are less fortunate than I am—not those above me—and I praise God for what He has given me.
As for what I gained from this, I was able to spend more time with my children—at least while driving them to and from their sports club. This led to conversations between us about what was on their minds and the situations they were going through in their lives, especially at that young age when they lack experience and still have so much to learn.
I’ve benefited from being in better health, as I no longer feel the various pains I used to experience before I started exercising, and I’ve benefited from looking better, having lost a lot of excess fat from my body—especially around my abdomen. I’ve also greatly improved my diet, as I used to neglect many essential nutrients because I refused to eat certain types of fruits and vegetables that I desperately needed to get the nutrients required for exercising.
I also benefited and learned many life and artistic skills, such as photography, driven by my desire to take better photos when I came across a beautiful view while running, as well as other small details that I don’t have space to list here. I thank God for blessing me with health and well-being, and for granting me the ability to exercise, reap its benefits, and rid myself of much of the negative thinking that no longer has a place in my mind. I’ve learned that knowledge and learning can be a way of life, so I’ve made it a habit to learn at least one new thing every day—even if it’s small and trivial in the eyes of some.
These are personal lessons I've learned for myself, and there may be many other lessons you can learn if you decide to start exercising and draw lessons from it.
