Learn To Train Solo …

A few of us (about 50 friends of various shape, size, and age) have decided to run the full marathon of 42 kms next year i.e. 2015. All of us would be running for the first time ever. We had run 21 kms earlier, but 42 kms is surely going to be a different ball game altogether. We realized that we needed someone to guide us for this. Hence we invited Dr. Malhar Ganla to train us.

Malhar is 32 years young, and has already run several marathons. He has done a few half Iron Man Triathlon. He has completed his Masters in Exercise Science from New Zealand. So, when Malhar decided to brief us, we were all ears to his tips and sharings. He shared some valuable suggestions, which impressed us all! He clarified a few misconceptions we had!

But through the sharing, he said something, which has got etched into my memory forever! He said, “LEARN TO TRAIN SOLO (LTTS)!” Simply put, don’t wait for anyone to workout. Depend on yourself and not on your friends.

I thought this was a learning of a lifetime. The more I thought of it, the more sense it made. There are so many times when we refrain from doing something because we don’t have company or no one has done it before –

     I have decided to exercise 5 days a week along with a friend. One of those days he has slept late and sends me an SMS that he is not coming. Invariably I too find excuses and go back to my cozy bed!

     I have struck upon a brilliant ‘out of the box’ business idea. No one has ever done it before. Enough people will tell me that no one has ever thought about it; which means it might not work at all. I hence continue my old ways and not work on the new idea!

     My favourite music is playing on the dance floor, which is empty right now. I want to get up and groove to the music. But I keep waiting for someone to step up and start. Then I join them. Until then, I keep tapping my feet on the floor!

     Usually when I meet my friends, we speak about various things and have a good time. I wish to share my achievement with my close friends. But, sharing of achievements is not a phenomenon in the group. I shy away from the idea as no one does so in the group!

     There will be certain traditions in the family, which have been carried on for years now. But I feel they are not practical anymore in today’s world. I want to speak up but know that I will face opposition. I keep mum and let things continue the way they are!

     As an elder son I am expected to join family’s construction business like my other cousins. Genuinely I don’t enjoy the construction business; but want to create a career in travel industry. As it is not a norm, my parents will feel bad that I don’t listen to them. Hence I go ahead and join the family business!

     The signal is red, yet no one is waiting. I want to wait, but might look like a fool standing alone when everyone is going. I too join the herd and move ahead when the traffic light is red!

I am sure that as you read these examples, some of them might have kindled a memory. The point is that we tend to go where the world is going. We want to be in a comfort zone and do that which others have already done and achieved. We don’t want to lead to be an example; instead we seem to be happy to follow!

Post Malhar’s session I have been enjoying being alert in implementing LTTS. I don’t wait for anyone to accompany me for my workouts! Any ‘out of box’ ideas get implemented immediately at my business! I won’t wait anymore to step on the dance floor! I will share my heart out to my friends! If there are some things not OK in the tradition, I shall not follow it blindly! I will choose to follow that profession, which looks the most appealing to me! Irrespective of what others do, I will wait at the traffic signal!

Every time I think whether I should do something (which is right and not just convenient) or no … Malhar’s face pops up and his voice rings …. “Amit, LEARN TO TRAIN SOLO!”