I've been thinking a lot about change lately. There are a whole lot of things I could point to: recent changes in my career trajectory, the ever-accelerating, anxiety-inducing news cycles, watching my kids slowly evolving towards adulthood, and the home renovation project that I wake up to every day. I'm a pretty even-keeled guy, but it feels like a lot of change right now, and I know I'm not alone in feeling that way.
I'm incredibly excited by many of the changes that life has brought in the last few months. In the context of Minnesota Distance Elite, the rapid growth and success of the team, and my decision to step away from my teaching job to focus full-time on coaching at the end of this academic year are both overwhelmingly positive developments. Even so, change is inherently stressful, and comes with new challenges. We have new financial realities to adapt to, and new demands on our partners and resources. Even in the best of times, change requires a period of adaptation. By no means have I perfected this, but the most powerful tools that I have found in navigating change relate to mindset tools that I found through running.
First, we have to accept the reality of the situation. In running, that could mean experiencing the moment in the race or workout where you are up against the edge and rather than panicking or questioning your ability to continue, it is embracing that moment. After all, getting to this point is for many of us one of the reasons why we run - to find our limits and navigate that edge with as much courage and grace as we can.
Second, we have to set aside the notion that all stress is bad. Training is stress. Work is stress. Family is stress. Relationships are stress. In short, all things worth doing carry an element of stress. We have to embrace the stress of change as a positive driver of adaptation. In running, we know that we have to push beyond a comfortable limit with regularity in our training in order to adapt and improve. The same is true in all aspects of life. Comfort without stress is equally as unfulfilling as stress without comfort.
That brings me to my final point, which is that the stress of change or any other stress can become negative if it is not balanced properly with rest and recovery. Too much hard training without adequate recovery is a recipe for injury or overtraining. Similarly, in times of rapid change, try your best to rest sufficiently, and take time for routines that bring you comfort and well-being: good sleep, time with friends and loved ones, quality nutrition, and whatever other forms of relaxation and comfort work for you. Whatever you do, be sure to find shelter from the stress of change in order to keep it from overwhelming you, and instead allowing it to facilitate growth.
For many of us, the routine of getting out for a run plays a role in reducing stress. I know that for me, running is one of the only things that predictably provides that grounding and calming feeling. It's really quite extraordinary to be able to find peace, even if it's just for a few minutes, in the midst of a chaotic day.
This article originally appeared in the The Connection, TCM's weekly e-newsletter. Subscribe here. Find more Motion Expert content here.
Chris Lundstrom, PhD, is a running coach and exercise scientist who specializes in endurance exercise performance. He is one of the team of Motion Experts TCM has gathered to help its subscribers and participants get the most out of their running. He coaches the Minnesota Distance Elite team and their squad of national class runners, including Olympian Dakotah Popehn. He teaches in the School of Kinesiology at the University of Minnesota, and also works with novice and high school runners. Follow and support MDE on their website: minnesotadistanceelite.com and on Instagram: @minnesotadistanceelite.