Helping People
I have at long last realised what is wrong and possibly why people misunderstand me. In the past I have been perplexed by some people’s attitude towards me, having heard myself being described as ‘a bit in your face’ etc. which puzzles me greatly, as I do not see myself like that at all, quite the contrary.
When I first started running I didn’t have a clue what to do in terms of training, technique or anything. As I became injured and made the many mistakes along the way I gradually learned a considerable amount. Running means a lot to me and I see it does so in many people. Thus when I see people making similar mistakes to my own and ending up injured I feel like helping them. My natural feeling is that I would have liked the help and benefit of someone else’s experience when I went through setbacks in my running. However, what I didn’t realise was that people become set in their ways and may not take too kindly from what I believe is the benefit of my sharing knowledge on running issues. Some folk, I am sure just think I’m a ‘knowitall’ type. Because I am so passionate about running, I think I can give the wrong impression in my over exuberance. I don’t realise I am doing this and have been horrified to find out what some people perceive me as being like. I am not that person at all, far from it. I don’t think the text talk Internet forums help much in this respect either.
When I discover something that works very well for me I tend to get well into it and perhaps a little obsessive about getting it right. I then lose sight of the fact that not everyone will necessarily share my views or indeed wish to try whatever it is with the same over enthusiasm. Furthermore, just because something makes perfect sense to me doesn’t automatically make it a matter of fact for everyone else. My perception could be just as faulty as anyone else’s or for whatever reason, the technique, style whatever may not work for certain individuals for a number of reasons. What makes me think I know what is best for people? I don’t, people have to figure it out for themselves. I do think it is important to keep an open mind though generally and it seems too many people these days are not willing to even contemplate some things or give them a try which I find sad. I have to realise though that I cannot change how people are.
My naivety is that I assume everyone would like to be helped. I see people getting injured and I know or at least I think I know what may have caused it and how they might fix it. Sadly I have never until quite recently stopped to think that for whatever reason some people simply may not want my help.
I have found a good solution, it is of course, this blog. Everyone is free to read this if they feel like it and if they see anything that may help them then they can give it a try and see. Equally people are free to simply click on another link and forget they ever saw my writings. I have decided that I will no longer volunteer my help to people but I am more than happy to help people if they so desire and they think that I can be of assistance. I am currently helping a few people and I am very happy to be doing this. Seeing others improve their running, drastically reducing their chances of injury and being a part of that is something I enjoy very much.
I think some folk see my demeanour as a little in your face and preachy. I am simply very keen on a subject and enthusiastically share my views, or I used to. I think it is best for me to keep my views to myself and simply let the reader decide.
Oh, I’d also like people to understand that anything I write here is from personal experience and I cannot be held responsible for any personal harm or injury resulting from anyone trying any of the techniques I describe here. So basically, you try anything at your own risk. Not a bad thing, we do it all the time and after all, we are all grown ups here, or at least we should very nearly be if not quite actually be.
Success – Define
Recently I have had a couple of modest personal successes and for these I am truly grateful and happy to see that I am making these improvements in y running whilst enjoying it more than I ever have done. Helping others to run without injury and succeed in their own running careers though really gives me a fantastic feeling. I love to share their feelings of success and of course it adds to mine. I feel like we have made progress together and worked as a team. Without each other our lives would be a little duller I feel.
A beautiful example of effortless easy running with excellent technique… Someone who is probably most people’s idea of the most success anyone can be lucky enough to achieve.