Has anyone else looked at the definition of heart? It certainly can mean many different things! But I think in the scope of this post, I'll stick with these two: 1) one's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations and 2) spirit, courage, or enthusiasm.
Years ago, my sister gave me one of those tank tops that displays a message once the material is soaked with sweat. My message said "RUN WITH HEART". I really loved that top. I was fairly new to running at the time and thought it described how I felt about it. Passionate. Plus, it was a really cool top! But, I must confess it usually looked like "RUN WITH HEAD" which is so wrong and so funny. I digress... 
In my recent coaching class, we were instructed on the basics of training -- running with our heads so to speak. We all pay attention to our form, breathing, stride length, and heart rate zones. We do the prescribed weekly mileage on our training plans. We suffer through intervals training and hit our tempo runs at the recommended paces. It's all very scientific, all very measurable.
But what about the spiritual heart? You can't teach feelings. There is no training plan for character or enthusiasm. "Let's increase courage by 10% each week!" It just doesn't work does it? Can you measure this heart? Do you ever feel burned out and think "My heart is not in this"? Yes, sometimes our enthusiasm goes away temporarily. But I also offer that we would not do this crazy thing we call running if it wasn't a central part of our innermost character.
The measure of heart is that we run. Period. Can you imagine anyone following such rigorous training plans if they didn't have a spiritual connection with running? I can't. Would anyone put up with the aches, pains, and injuries associated with running without enthusiasm for it? Never.
The next time someone asks us why we run,
perhaps we should simply say ...
IT'S IN MY HEART.
What does RUN WITH HEART mean to you?
Please visit Deb and the other participating bloggers. It's fun!
Yes, running is definitely in my heart. Even if I'm not doing too terribly much of it lately. Love those convo hearts!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I'm not doing as much as I'd like to either.
DeleteWell, my blog kind of talked about that . . .
ReplyDeleteI agree -- if you're not passionate, there are plenty of other ways to exercise! But it can definitely be hard to love it at first. I know it was for me. Sometimes you have to fake it til you make it, and if you do, it gets under your skin.
It's funny, my mom was so skeptical about the benefits of my running for a long time, and now she just says keep doing what you're doing! Sadly, I think she just sees the physical benefits, and there are so many more -- I could totally get fit without running!
I would go as far to say (at least as history shows in my family) the mental or psychological benefits may outweigh the physical ones.
DeleteRunning is for sure in my heart! Love this! BTW, I stole your PF sucks heart...I may use it in a later post...
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of you when I made that heart. Steal away. There is a website where you can type up your own sayings. I can only imagine what some people put on their hearts...
DeleteIt is very interesting to read the different posts by bloggers about the word heart. I love your take on it, and yes, I think we all run with heart. I run because I love it and it is also in my heart!
ReplyDeleteThere were many interesting and different posts on this word. My original thought was HR training, but then I went in another direction.
DeleteRunning is tough so I think people who spend their time doing it need to be passionate about it...lol
ReplyDeleteExactly. I can't imagine anything less than loving it or having it feel like a chore or punishment of some kind.
DeleteI love your hearts. I may have to steal some.
ReplyDeleteI blogged about it but it is basically doing it for how it makes you feel. Running is definitely in my heart. I couldn't imagine my life without it.
Please use the hearts. There is a website to create your own and I can only imagine what some people say.
DeleteI love the hearts! I am with you we run with heart! Love it! Your hill or mine makes me giggle!
ReplyDeleteIf our hearts aren't in it, we should find something else I think.
DeleteI love the hearts, especially I smell you smell. Yeah that pretty much summarizes things ! I often run with my head... I am a very rational person !
ReplyDeleteObviously though, you run with heart or you wouldn't do it. You know what a numbers person I am...I definitely run with my head too.
DeleteGreat post, so well thoughtout and nicely put!
ReplyDeleteI can always tell a runner who runs with heart vs someone who doesn't. It's easy, if it's not in their heart, they skip runs, always look for the easy way or least amount to do. They base everything on their race accomplishment.
Those who run with heart, often tell you their favorite runs are the training runs, they go out for a run because they want to, makes them feel better, they head out the door for 3 and end up doing 6 because they were just feeling it in their heart. If I ever lost running with heart, I don't think I could keep it up! Lovely post today!!
I'll bump into people at local events and they will say they haven't run is X days or weeks. But it's not due to injury -- they just haven't. That doesn't compute with me. If I'm not running, you can be assured there is a huge problem. I guess people are motivated differently. At least they came to support the cause of the race.
DeleteWhat a great post! Loved it! And so relevant to how I've been feeling in general this week! I've been sloping on the motivation to get up and workout in the mornings and its actually not the waking up part that's been difficult like usual its more so the actual work out! I'm not in love with running but I feel its important FOR my heart to get in to it! I need that strong cardiovascular system. Been putting off starting my new 5k training, but I guess I just need to really up my "courage" as you say and find the heart to do it!
ReplyDeletehttps://curlycaroline.wordpress.com
Everyone goes through slumps in motivation. The fact you can recognize it and do something about it is the best thing of all. There are times I might not be happy with a particular training run or my race performance, but in general -- my heart is always in it.
DeleteI can attest that running with your heart IS indeed very true! All kidding aside, and the perfect example, I wanted to finish my marathon! My legs (knee) gave out. It threw in the towel back at mile 20 but It was my heart that kept me going. We may have all the skill or talent in the world but without heart we will not reach our potential! This is such a great motivating post Holly!
ReplyDeleteGood point. The heart always finishes the race when the legs are over it. We may have a new mantra somewhere in there. "It's Time For Heart" or "Go Heart Go" ??
DeleteGreat post!!
ReplyDeleteRun with head.....I literally laughed out loud!!
I think everytime I lace up, I feel my heart beating just a little bit harder and faster.
I totally run with heart!
I asked a friend what my shirt said because the message appeared on the back of it. She said "Run With Head!" No, that's not it! Apparently I don't sweat enough on the far right side of my lower back.
DeleteI loved your take on running with heart, and love the little running related valentine candies. I definitely run with heart!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up!
I need to order some real, edible running inspired conversation hearts. That would be so fun for a Valentine themed race!
DeleteLove the hearts! They're so cute! I'm definitely enthusiastic about running and it's made me healthier inside and out.
ReplyDeleteI so agree with the healthy on the inside (and out) statement!
DeleteLove this post on running with heart and love the litte heart candies, so cute!
ReplyDeleteWouldn't they be cute given out at a Valentine's themed race?
DeleteWater skiing comes very close for me but it is 1) seasonal, 2) dependent on a boat driver (I'm lucky here) and 3) such a complicated process -- you need a specific location and a very expensive piece of equipment (that needs tons of maintenance)! Running is just you and the road... anytime you want.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of a shirt that reveals a message when it is soaked with sweat! I have a coffee mug that reveals a message with hot liquids, though, haha.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point. We definitely would not do all of this running if it was not part of our being. Just because you're not feeling it one day (or several days) doesn't mean your heart is not in it. Even if I decided to take an extended break from running, a part of my heart would always belong to it.
It must be the same principal as the hot liquid! Just like hot sweat? I don't know where she found it. I've never seen one.
DeleteI definitely remind myself that I am out running because I WANT to be, so I try to smile through the cold and laugh at myself if I accidentally run through a puddle.
ReplyDeleteIt's why I ran today. Logically, I thought maybe I should cycle or do something else. But, I just wanted to run! So I did.
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