Where You Can Go

5 Minute Read

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."

Today's midweek motivation quote reminds us that our current circumstance is nothing more than the starting line, and does not need to (absolutely should not) impact what we can accomplish.

This perspective is crucial for runners. We've all had times when our training fell off track (or fell off a cliff).

Really overtrained and had to take a step back
Injuries resulting in total loss of activity
Newborn who seems to despise sleeping

And when training falls off track, we lose fitness. We lose progress. We lose the efforts that we put in. We lose motivation… Kinda.

These moments can make us feel stuck, but they don't dictate our potential. They only define our starting point, and in fact, can set us up for a killer of a training season.

Opportunities in Starting Over

No matter where we are now, we can always move forward. Our present circumstances are a starting point, not a limitation. This mindset shift is powerful: it transforms obstacles into opportunities, and setbacks into the setup for an epic comeback.

The journey from the beginning can be incredibly fulfilling. As we build from a lower base of fitness, we get to experience progress in its most noticeable form. You *get* to start from zero. It's a clean slate. You get to rediscover your love for running. You can design a new training plan from scratch, and re-experience what it’s like to gain fitness and make progress, fast.

Turning Setbacks into Stories

The most inspiring training stories often come from those who started from the bottom. These stories are full of grit, perseverance, and triumph. They remind us that where we start doesn’t determine where we can go.

Imagine looking back at your training log and seeing the growth from those first, tough miles. The pride in overcoming obstacles and pushing past a seemingly unfortunate starting point is unparalleled. These stories are what fuel our passion and drive us to keep going.

And to drive the point home - have you ever run a race that required no training? Because your current fitness level was at (or beyond) what was needed? We’ll assume that race didn't leave you feeling like you achieved something incredible. And a huge reason why is that it didn’t require incredible effort.

Starting from zero gives us the opportunity to rediscover what it feels like to work hard, and get rewarded.

Practical Steps

Here’s how to embrace your starting point and move forward:

Just Accept It. Okay? Recognize and accept where you are right now without judgment. This acceptance is the first step to progress.

Set An Awesome Goal: What do you want to work towards that you can be proud of? The more effort it requires, the more fulfilling it will be.

Track Your Progress: Keep a log of your runs, noting improvements and lessons learned. This visual representation of progress can be incredibly motivating.

Create Your Own Plan: This might be a bit of a hot take, but we think learning the fundamentals and principles of running is part of the fun, and really fuels passion further. Then using that to design a training plan and executing it… a great feeling.

Final Thoughts

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."

This quote is a powerful reminder that our potential is not impacted by our starting point. We need to stop ourselves from thinking that our circumstance precludes us from doing something great. This is a starting point, not a limitation.

This mindset enables us to build a routine we love, and train consistently. With consistency, we build passion.