368: Are You Running Out of Fear or Love?

Fear vs. Love: Understanding the Impact on Your Running and Life

All of our actions and decisions are fundamentally based on emotion. This notion, backed by years of psychological research, suggests that every action stems from a feeling. It's an intriguing premise that challenges us to reflect on our daily choices.

I recently read a book that suggested that if you boil down all of the human emotions, there are only 2 that drive our actions: Fear or Love. While we could debate on this topic alone, for today's episode, we will assume this premise is correct.  If it is so, we then have to ask ourselves - are we operating from a state of fear or love when it comes to our running? 

The Fear-Based Approach

When we talk about fear, we're discussing a mindset that can often lead to unsustainable actions and stress. For instance, many runners start their journey by running because they don't like their bodies or are afraid of gaining weight. This fear-based motivation may initially produce results but often leads to a detrimental cycle of overexertion and insufficient recovery. Fear stimulates the stress response, making it challenging to achieve long-term health goals.

Recognizing Fear in Running

Running out of fear isn't limited to beginners. Experienced runners can also fall into this trap. For instance, competing out of fear of losing a spot on a team or falling behind peers can lead to excessive workouts and inadequate recovery. This fear-driven approach ultimately creates a vicious cycle of stress and potential injury.

The Love-Based Approach

Conversely, running and making choices from a place of love fosters a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Running because you love your body and want to take care of it changes the entire experience. This mindset involves nourishing your body, ensuring proper recovery, and focusing on overall well-being rather than merely avoiding negative outcomes.

A love-based approach involves asking questions like, "How can I get faster because it would be fun?" or "How can I run longer just to see what's possible?" It’s about connecting to yourself, God, and others through running, making your running journey an integral part of a balanced and fulfilling life.

Living out of love means making conscious choices and rational responses rather than reacting from a place of fear.

Acting out of love often requires a broader perspective. While fear narrows our focus to immediate anxieties, love helps us zoom out and see the bigger picture. Even if one specific result isn't achieved, the overall lifestyle and mindset shift towards support and nourishment lead to long-term health and joy.

Awareness and Conscious Choices

Ultimately, we all act from both fear and love at times. The key lies in bringing awareness to our decisions and understanding what drives them. Are you registering for a race out of fear of falling behind or because you genuinely enjoy the challenge? Is your decision to get out of bed for an early run driven by guilt or a love for your body and health?

By examining these motivating factors, we can make more conscious choices that align with love and support a healthier, more joyful life.