TL;DR
A “velvet rut” is when you’ve:
- built up your life exactly how you want it to be;
- minimized inconveniences and handed off the stuff you don’t like to do;
- found out what you enjoy, where you enjoy it, and never plan to leave.
You’re stuck, but the velvet rut tricks you into thinking you’re not stuck.
Instead, ask:
- Are you challenging yourself?
- Do the choices you make push you or do they help you atrophy?
If not, maybe it’s time to consider a new challenge!
Are you ready to be challenged?
Sometimes random chance brings you to a topic that you want to share.
It happened to me earlier today when someone posted a link to a “Daily Stoic Email”. After reading it and noticing that it’s not specifically about running, I started to see how it could be applied to runners.
For example:
- A “training plan” that consists only of easy runs (because intervals and long runs are too uncomfortable)
- Focusing ONLY on one type of event, because that’s the event you’re best at
- Sticking with the same brand of shoes, because they’re reliable and a reasonable fit
- Never running hill sprints, because they’re just too much effort
- Only ever running in the evenings, because mornings are too cold and too “early”
OK, OK. I realise that some of these may be a little contrived, but the questions to ponder are:
- Are you challenging yourself?
- Are you making choices that push you or choices that help you atrophy?
If not, maybe it’s time for a new challenge?
And maybe I can help with that!
The Daily Stoic Email
are you ready to be challenged: https://dailystoic.com/are-you-ready-to-be-challenged/
Feedback? Questions?
Join the discussion in the from1runner2another Facebook group.
