The 68th Edition
That’s Runnable Newsletter is changing forever!
Ah, the inevitability of change. Change is the only constant in running… and in life. We either resist it and get dragged along, or embrace it and grow stronger.
Something to Think About
The more we cling to what was, the harder it becomes to step into what could be.
Something to Ask Yourself
When change arrives in your running – or in your life – do you resist it, or do you lean into it with curiosity?
Article of the Week
You may notice I choose a lot of Psychology Today Articles. Well, this week’s not different. This is a reflection on how to move past resistance and fear when life changes direction, this piece explores how embracing uncertainty can actually expand your sense of possibility. You’ll learn practical ways to reframe discomfort as growth and how to lean into transitions instead of fighting them. Expect a mix of psychology and encouragement to step into new chapters with more resilience.
Track of the Week
A bit of Nathaniel Rateliff on the Playlist this week… 10th Anniversary!? Mad.
Personal Lesson
I used to think that if I just found the perfect routine – perfect mileage, perfect plan, perfect nutrition – that would be it. I’d find stability and control, and everything would start to feel easy. But running has a way of laughing at your plans. Injuries come, life gets busy, weather ruins long runs. Whilst it’d be understandable for my ignorance to cause some frustration, over time, I learned that consistency isn’t necessarily about repeating the same week over and over. It’s about showing up, in whatever way the moment requires.
You might hear me sometimes talk about this in another way, saying “perfection is bullshit”, or “stop trying to optimise every aspect of your life”. Well, this is sort of the same message. There was a time where I thought if something wasn’t going well, I was failing. Now I know that even the top performers don’t get everything perfect and actually, the best ultra runners, for example, are just pretty good at all the things.
This shift changed more than my training. It changed my life. When jobs ended, relationships shifted, or opportunities appeared out of nowhere, I stopped trying to force control and instead asked: how can I adapt here, just like I would on the trail?
Seeking control over everything and lacking acceptance of things you can’t control, sows anger, frustration, a feeling of unfairness, and ultimately stress.
Running – Life’s Metaphor
Every race plan looks neat on paper until reality shows up. Hills are steeper than expected, weather turns, food doesn’t go down or feels dodgy. Running teaches us that success belongs to those who adapt, not those who can only cling to the plan.
Final Thoughts
Change is not the enemy. Unexpected things are not the enemy. These changes and shifts are a fact of life. The seasons shift, our bodies age, people around us move in and out of our lives. Even our interests, opinions and desires change, too. To pretend otherwise is to deny reality.
Instead of bracing and fighting against it, we should prepare for it. Just like carrying an extra layer on a run or taking more fuel than we think we need, we can equip ourselves with adaptability, perspective, and patience.
What I’ve noticed recently is that with change comes opportunity. A sudden change in environment might require you to be more creative with how you train. An injury might lead you to strength training that makes you more resilient in the long run. A career shift can be the start of a life that fits you better than the old one ever did! (I’ve seen this many times).
Don’t just accept change – expect it, train for it, welcome it. The runner who adapts doesn’t just survive; they thrive. And the same goes for you, in every part of life.
Thanks again for reading and subscribing.
Run the runnable, and keep showing up for yourself!
Tommy 🙂