This week, I began reading Paulo Coelho’s latest work, The Archer. In an early scene, Tetsuya, a master archer is challenged by the mysterious Stranger who wants to prove his skill to both Tetsuya and ultimately himself. The Stranger is skilled but misses an otherwise easy shot when Tetsuya asks him to make the shot while standing in the middle of a dilapidated and swaying bridge. Tetsuya then instructs the Stranger:
You have a good grasp of technique, and you have mastered
the bow, but you have not mastered your mind.
You know how to shoot when all circumstances are favorable,
but if you are on dangerous ground, you cannot hit the target.
The archer cannot always choose the battlefield.
So start training again and be prepared for unfavorable situations.
These words could not have come at a more opportune time in my training. They also serve as a reminder that life does not always present us favorable situations and we need to master our minds. The course I am running is my battlefield, and my own mind is both my encourager and my enemy, depending on the circumstances. A few weeks ago, a friend asked me, “Are you physically and mentally prepared?” At the time, my answer was mostly yes. I still needed more physical training, but I have been distance running on and off for several years. I am a lawyer, mother, university administrator: I can power through tedious tasks when needed. I am determined and sometimes a little too goal oriented. I don’t give up easily when I set my mind to something, even when I should. Up to this point, my runs have been on relatively flat courses in favorable, or at least tolerable, weather conditions. Oklahoma has mild winters and the cool weather has been a pleasant change. I enjoy running in what I consider cold weather, which is the high 30s to low 40s. For a while, I avoided running on extremely windy days, which are frequent in Oklahoma. Recently though I have tackled some runs in 25mph-35mph winds because I realized I needed to train for that condition.
Last Sunday, the weather was overcast, windy, and the temperature was in the mid-30s. I almost didn’t go out. I don’t like cold weather. I love heat and sun. Saunas, deserts, sunny pools: these are my happy places. But, I pushed myself out the door. I needed to train in cold weather just as much as I did in warm weather. This was our long run day, and I did not want to miss it. I finished week 2 of half marathon training with our scheduled 5 mile run and despite the cold and wind, I hit a new PR for the milage. I had a whole post planned about the wind and cold and the Dutch concept of Uitwaaien, and I probably will write that at some point, but Oklahoma weather and the Universe has a great sense of comedic timing.
Beginning the next day, Oklahoma began experiencing one of the longest cold spells I can remember. Multiple temperature records have been broken in the last week. Today’s hight may have 5˚F with wind chills reaching -22˚F. Yes, my southern, summer loving friends -22˚. Another snow storm is predicted for tomorrow adding 4-8 inches of snow to the current 6-10 inches still on the ground. I know some of my readers live in colder climates, but we are not use to these temperatures. Our city’s infrastructure is not equipped to handle the snow and dangerous wind chills and neither is my mind. This certainly qualifies as an “unfavorable situation.” One inflammatory weatherman described the weather we are expecting as “Siberian Record Cold Air.”
On Tuesday, I didn’t even attempt to run. It was icy, and I was feeling unmotivated. The weather provided the perfect excuse not to train. Wednesday was a cross training day, and I did yoga from the comfort of my warm home (I even made progress on my handstand!). Thursday came and it was time for a 3 mile run. With Coelho’s poetic words in my mind, I ventured out into what I consider extreme cold and completed a 3 mile run. I have gone out, even if briefly, everyday since. I am preparing for for unfavorable situations. I doubt I will ever need to race in sub-zero temperatures, but who knows what life could throw at me.
This whining about the cold provides broader insights. It is easy to show up and thrive when conditions are favorable. When we are content, the sun is shining above us, we feel our best, and the terrain is smooth and gentle. Like the Stranger, this is when we seem to have mastered our lives. We cannot be discouraged. But if conditions are always favorable, where is the learning and growth? Challenges yield growth. Our minds and bodies become stronger. Each challenge prepares us for the next one and insures we have the tools and skills we need to go on thriving, even when it is hard. Uncomfortable or unpleasant states are usually temporary, though they may feel eternal in the moment. If we can conquer our minds and learn that difficult circumstances eventually end and take them as learning opportunities, we begin to build the confidence to overcome obstacles. Voluntarily training for a marathon in freezing weather is not the hardest thing I have or will ever do. However, the knowledge that I can push through an uncomfortable and difficult run will stay with me as a reminder that I can do difficult things. I can show up even when it is difficult.
We often do not have a choice or forewarning in adversity. We have to accept the battlefields in our life as we find them. Every challenge, big or small, makes us stronger, faster, and more agile. We gain perspective, clarity, and confidence. With the right mindset and proper training, we can become the masters of our minds and overcome any obstacle in our way.
Here is to training in unfavorable situations.
In Medias Race 
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