Run like a Stoic
For a little over a year, I’ve been, gradually, immersing myself into the readings and practices of the Stoic philosophy.
The Stoic philosophy was first developed in ancient Greece around 300 BC by Zeno. It came of age during the Roman empire, where three prominent Romans — Seneca, Emperor Nero’s tutor; Epictetus, a former slave and Rome’s very own emperor, Marcus Aurelius — wrote at large about their views on life, suffering and practices to forge a strong spirit that could survive the tumultuous challenges of their times.
Stoics believe that in order to live a happy, rich and fulfilling life, one should strive to have a calm mind, live in balance with Nature, and detach from events beyond our control.
Stoic philosophy is centered on two key practices. The first one focuses on the fact that much of our suffering and stress is caused by thinking that we have control over things, where in reality we don’t. While we have control over a few things, most things in life are beyond our control.
The second philosophy highlights that it’s not these events outside our control that make us unhappy, but rather how we interpret them and the meaning that we impose on them. Stoics don’t believe that things are inherently good or bad — only that our thoughts and reactions to them makes them so.
The truth is that we control very little of what happens in our lives. All we can control is how we think, judge, and react to these happenings. The funny thing is that although we have so little control over most happenings in our lives, through our thinking and reactions, or lack of, we actually have a big saying in how we choose to live and pursue happiness in life.
Now, you are probably asking yourself: what does Stoicism have to do with ultra running? It turns out that it has a lot of parallels.
As Canadian ultra runner Ray Zahab said: “90% of ultra running is mental, and the rest is in your head.” Doesn’t this sound like it was written by a Stoic? Of course, it does.
In that one sentence, Zahab encapsulates the core of the Stoic philosophy: it’s all in our heads.
How many times have you put on your running shoes only to step outside to a cold and rainy morning and think: “this is going to be a miserable day to run.” Or, your running buddies invite you to run that long trail with that crazy 20%+ grade ascend that seems to stretch on forever, on the hottest day of the year and with zero cover. Or, maybe after building your base for a few months, you decide that today you’ll do your first long run but you are terrified that may be too much suffering too soon.
What do all these scenarios above have in common? That they are what they are and no amount of wishing them to be something else can change them.
You can’t control the weather just as you can’t flatten down the hill, grow some shade or shorten your long run (otherwise it wouldn’t be your long run).
All you can control are your reactions and how you choose — or not — to approach them.
If you race year round, chances are that you will be doing some of your racing in the rain. So it’s a good idea to get your body and mind used to it.
If you are a trail runner, then running hills is a great way to strengthen your legs, improve your lactate threshold, and practice your descents.
And, if you are, or aspire to be, an ultra runner — then there’s no getting around doing long runs.
These challenges and others that running, racing and life may throw your way are outside your control. How you choose to face, respond and overcome them is under your control and can make the difference between a life of calm and centered growth or one of misery. The choice is yours.
Next time you go on a run, remember that the weather, terrain, distance, and other hurdles — are neither good or bad and can’t disturb you if you don’t let them. They are wonderful opportunities to strengthen your body, your determination, mind and spirit.
As author Ryan Holiday wrote: “The obstacle is the way.” If we are to reach our full potential, then we must find a way over, through, around, and under these obstacles — while at the same time being fully aware that whether something is an obstacle or an opportunity, is a matter of perspective.
May the trails be with you.
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If you’d like to learn more about Stoicism, you’d do well to read the old classics:
And some modern ones:
- How to be a Stoic by Massimo Pigliucci
- A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine
- The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
Diego is a former Personal Trainer. When he’s not running as head of product and squashing computer bugs, he chases the running bug through the Oakland hills with his dog Indiana Jones.
