I had a conversation with one of my clients today who expressed her frustration about feeling slow during her runs and struggling to keep her heart rate below 130 bpm. Despite having completed several half marathons successfully, she is now focused on building a stronger running base for future events. At the same time, she is also navigating some personal stress which, understandably, can impact performance.
Although my client has proven in the past that she can maintain her heart rate in the desired zone, her elevated heart rate during easy runs suggests that her body is currently expending more energy to manage external pressures. Previously, when she was similarly stressed but didn’t have a heart rate monitor, she may have believed that she was coping with her stress by pushing hard on her runs. Now, her heart rate shows that this approach may actually be adding more stress to her system.
It’s important to acknowledge that our minds sometimes inflate our perceived capabilities as runners or athletes, leading to frustration when we can’t meet those expectations. In these moments, giving ourselves permission to slow down is essential. Walking or taking breaks are valid options. We need space to breathe and the willingness to extend compassion to ourselves, eschewing self-judgment.
Many of us turn to exercise as an outlet, a way to cope with stressful environments. Over time, we may start treating exercise as a form of escape, a way to get away from our reality. What if, instead, we allowed our exercise practice tobecome a sort of inlet, an opportunity to move toward and better understand our reality?
While running can offer relief from what’s weighing on us, there are also times when we must gently face what’s happening and avoid causing harm by pushing ourselves too hard. Our ultimate goal in moving and exercising should be to balance our lifestyles and to nurture and nourish our bodies and minds. There is real power in observing and respecting the limits our bodies communicate to us.
by Santosh Karmacharya
