Morning runs might seem to be a waste of time when you have a product to launch, right?
But we are once again rediscovering why and how we need to take care of our body to be able to take care of our mind.
As we get to understand the perks of modern working days better, the necessity to reconnect with nature is noticeable; exercising and professional development are once again in the spotlight.
But the question is how?
How does running help us be better at work?
Luckily, we can ask our colleague to give us some practical advice and share the first-hand experience.
We asked our Company & Program Manager Damjan Gataric to tell us his story.
Why should business incorporate regular physical activity into its culture?
Companies should nourish a culture where people are encouraged and supported to invest their time and energy in daily fitness activities.
Our work often requires spending many hours in front of the screen and sitting most of the working hours – which is bad for body’s health and everyday life quality. Exercising brings better mood, relieves stress and keeps emotional balance.
Running can help you better understand your strengths and weaknesses. Can trail running teach us anything about teamwork?
Running is considered a one-person sport, apart from a relay. However, organized running activities bring like-minded people together and can help them develop a group spirit and societal mindset. People learn how to synchronize their pace and how to be supportive, but most importantly how they can reach their goals together, which is the very foundation of good teamwork.
On the other hand, trail running evolves with every new experience.
Every time you step on a path, you are closer to getting to know yourself a bit better.
The main thing trail running has taught me is not to give up when it seems hard because there is always a way. Training for a trail running can help us build a stronger character through overcoming challenges.
Can you give us 5 secrets running has taught you that helped you make better business decisions?
- Calmness
Keeping calm when things get tough or chaotic is essential for proper reactions and decision making.
- Endurance
Staying on the course in spite of all difficulties and tiredness is something that you inevitably learn with long-distance running, and in time, giving up can’t even be considered as an option.
- Channel
As humans, we can feel a lot of different emotions, and they can block our next move, or we can learn how to channel them, using them as the wind for our sails.
- Listen
Valuable bits of information are everywhere around us, and in ourselves; by listening to them we can recognize where we are heading and make the right adjustments if needed.
- Sustainable pace
If you start too hard you may never finish your marathon, so instead of rushing at any stage and trying to achieve success with one giant leap or outburst of power, it is much more reliable to develop a sustainable pace which will gradually and reliably get you to your destination.
What should every person know about trail running?
Trail running is quite different to road or track running. When you trail run, both mind and your entire body are much more engaged because they need to compensate for uneven and loose terrain, unexpected obstacles, frequent changes of difficulty due to various accents and descents, less obvious routes, etc. This doesn’t make it less appealing; on the contrary, it is a more enjoyable and satisfying way of running because you get to spend time in nature, breathing in the clean air, listening to birds and the movement of the trees, and gazing at amazing sceneries along the way.
Being one with nature brings the ultimate feeling of freedom, and provides food not only for the mind and body but the soul as well.
Do you have any tips for beginners?
The fact that you are moving is what matters – feel free to combine walking and running during the single activity. Start slow and try to enjoy as much as possible by finding the right amount of time and distance for yourself.
The biggest mistake you can make is not listening to your body because this attitude usually brings injuries or poor performance on the race.
Be mindful of your body’s health first, the magic of trail running comes along the way.
As for certain technique tips, I suggest you watch your stride, don’t make it too long, as it will hurt your joints. If possible use forefoot or midfoot strike, as heel striking will put much more stress on your joints that are not so fast with recovery as your muscles are. Do not increase your speed and distance too quickly, listen to your body and give it time to adapt.
You have certainly read the epic tale Born To Run. There’s an interesting quote from Tao Te King on the first page of – A good runner leaves no tracks. Can this attitude reflect on our everyday work related activities?
It’s an inspiring book, and I would recommend everyone to read it, no matter if they want to go out and enjoy hours of running or apply the same passion and dedication to any other aspect of life.
I believe it’s the quote by Lao Tsu. As I see it, it promotes an approach of being mindful of yourself and the environment around you. Keeping both in balance is paramount for everyday work activities and a long-term collaboration and success.
Not one, but at least a dozen studies have confirmed that exercising has a direct impact on our problem-solving capacities, creativity, and business performance. Furthermore, exercising can help us build specific personality traits that are directly applicable in a business environment.
Exercising and team sports activities are an important part of our company culture.
From trail running, and five-a-side soccer to aikido, weight lifting, and professional dancing – we certainly do enjoy different activities. While each activity bears a different meaning for each of us, everyone will agree that physical activities get our creative juices going and make us better co-workers.
What about you?
