Things I’ve Learned as a Runner

Running shares many parallels with life. The experiences I've had while running often translate to both my personal and professional daily life.

Don't Outrun Your Pace

If you start out faster than your usual pace, you’ll quickly reach a point where overexertion forces you to stop. Good pace management is therefore essential. Find your own limit to be fast, but not so fast that you overexert yourself.

Similarly in work life: Too much zeal can quickly lead to burnout. Make sure to slow down in time so you can reach your goal safely instead of not at all.

Enjoy the Journey

When running, the finish line isn’t all that matters. You run to experience running itself. The same applies to life, especially in the professional context. Often we work only towards a goal, be it earning money or completing a particular project. However, if you focus only on the goal, the journey there becomes a burden.

Focus on the process, delight in the small advances, and enjoy each step. After achieving one goal, the next one awaits. Most of life is made up of these journeys, so start appreciating them.

Slow Down When It Gets Tough

When climbing a hill, I consciously slow down and take smaller steps. I pay special attention to the path and focus on every spot where I place my foot. It’s better to reach the top slowly than to have to give up halfway.

This advice also applies to life: Recognize challenges early and adjust your pace to avoid exhaustion.

From the Top of a Mountain, You Can See Far

From the perspective of a mountain, other mountains seem less daunting. Every challenge might initially appear overwhelming, but if we tackle it step by step, we eventually reach the summit. From there, we have a clear view of further challenges.

If You Lose Momentum, Just Keep Going

Every runner experiences the so-called “runner’s high,” where moving seems almost effortless. However, a short break can make it difficult to find your rhythm again. The same is true in life: If you stumble, whether in a project or in changing habits, it's important to get active quickly. Setbacks are normal; what matters is how quickly you recover and continue.

Don't let yourself lose momentum!