APPROPRIATING ADVERSITY

Adversity always promises to visit our distance running efforts.  One might well say that we have a portion of adversity which indeed is our destiny.  With this truth, if we are going to move forward with the happiness and with the satisfaction we need, we need to learn daily how to actually appropriate the adversity which promises to arise.  Therefore, accepting the realities of differing adversity is the beginning point to appropriating them successfully.  When adversity is resisted and not accepted as natural and normal, confusion and stagnation follow close behind.  Unfortunately, inactive people have usually succumbed to resisting the natural reality of discomfort and adversity.   

Adversity in our running (ever so regular!) is not something to resist and hide from... but rather to appropriate.  Once we find the right “place” for the adversity that comes; once we find a way to embrace the pain and discomfort (NOT natural!); adversity will simply be something appropriated, accepted and handled.  Adversity does not need to be something we shrink and frown about.  Discomfort is as natural as the land we run… as regular as the air we breathe!

The question now remains, “How do we appropriate adversity when pressed, when crushed and when facing adversity’s despair?”  We have to admit that adversity does have its effect on the emotions and our Will providing every opportunity to quit to release ourselves from it.  However, finding a way to release the body from pain and discomfort does nothing to relieve our quest for accomplishment.  The latter is usually worth a very, very great deal.  Therefore appropriating adversity will provide many opportunities to be deceived into thinking there is some easy way out in stopping or quitting. {Here it is important to consider the real limitations from serious physiological injury which SHOULD be heeded; limitations in the body which very possibly could cripple or cause death.} 

Only through regular exposure and the opportunity to face pressure from discomfort, from the crushing of emotional wellness and even the despair of hope, can one possibly become strong ASIDE from adversity.  Being strong aside from adversity IS appropriating adversity!  The key is not about accepting adversity without limits, but rather finding the best ways to adapt and adjust to adversity’s reality. 

Hardship in distance running is something which belongs here.  Adversity should be accepted, expected and never be a surprise.  Its strength can be limited with intelligence and good planning.  We actually do have a place for adversity… we build strength for it and with it.  If adversity has a welcome place within us, we find more and more gracious ways to appropriate it.  With humility being adversity’s welcome, adversity looses the strength of its power over us.  Good running distance people!