Finding Grit

I'm many things but gritty isn't the word that comes to mind. Last weekend I ran the 10K-Beat the Blerge I took a chance and said yes to that inner nudge. I even ran with grit. Before last Saturday, when was the last time I had actually raced...with grit? That's a better question. I've run nearly my whole life because I love running, it makes me happy but was I ever a gritty runner? No not so much. Nope, well maybe a few times, mostly nope.

What is grit? Grit: A small, sandy pieces of rock or stone, such as the kind found in some unwashed dried beans. (google ask)

"Chickens need grit to grind food in their gizzard because they lack teeth, and the grit acts as a personal food processor. Grit helps break down tough food items like whole grains, fibrous plants, and insects, allowing the chicken to digest and absorb nutrients effectively." (google ask)

We humans are a lot like chickens. We need grit too. That little pebble in our gizzard that keeps us going, helps us to hard things, adds a little zip to our tired legs and fried brains.

I love to run, even after years of a weird spastic uterous and a chronic calf pull, I kept running not because I have grit but because I love to run...which maybe was me with grit...hummm-interesting.

Running again- pushing myself to see what I've got and can do got my inner running spirit excited again. A spark flickered, I started getting curious starting now, what kind of runner can I be now with a little grit in my gizzard. I've met runners with grit. My niece has more grit than any runner/ or human I know. Pain, hard, challenging, obstacles seemed to just make her run faster. Excuses- not in her running vocabulary.

Me, I tiptoed my way through.

Running checks a lot of boxes for me: It gets me outside and as my mom would say helps get the "stink blown off". I'm a better human when I'm running or at least doing LSD (long slow distance- what did you think? lol) Running is unplugged, it gives me time to think, see the world beyond 4 walls, puts me into a flow states. Running, makes me so happy. It's my favorite form of mindfulness, medication and meditation. Running gives me space to ponder and solve problems. If you were to ask my hubby, if I love to run, he'd probably roll his eyes and shake his head- so much in a crazy amount.

Do you ever wonder what if? I'm not the runner I was when I was young, but what am I capable of now? Not what does society expect me to be at my present age of 59 and 3/4 but what does the new science and my spirit of aging say? Can I use my love of running to motivate me to build strong bones, cross train, build my core muscles, and grit muscles. To challenge my mental grit? To improve my speed and leg turn over?

For any of us to age with strength, we need grit in our gizzard. We need to practice doing challenging things, getting off the couch, out of our cozy little bubbles and trying new things. Stretching our essence and capabilities.

Do you have any lingering what if's? It's never too late you know. The very act of doing hard things, making progress, having fun, challenging our spirit, mind, body and emotions pays huge dividends. Curiosity and creativity keeps us young.

Is there anything you wish, want, dream of, are curious about? Anything you think want to do, love to do but think it would be too hard or too late? What about learning a new language? That's hard. Becoming a master chef...also hard. You get the idea.

A little grit is good for us it expands our possibilities. Below is a quick list GRIT benefits (as per google search) If you want to learn more, I highly recommend Steven Kolter's books: Gnar Country and The Art of Impossible. He's an enjoyable to read writer and excellent researcher. Plus, he also likes to experiment on his own life.

There is a passage in Gnar Country where Steven runs into an old friend on the mountain-while learning to park ski, his friend asks..."is this one of your experiments?" I smiled a big grin as I read. Experimenting as you go, is what keeps life interesting- and builds grit. Running and regenerative farming and flow are current experiments- that plus hardboiled egg chocolate pudding. Failure, wonder, grit, curiosity, delight, trying new things...are all part of being an explorer. They build grit and curious spirit.

Benefits of being Gritty:

• Passion and Perseverance:

  Grit involves maintaining sustained enthusiasm and effort towards a distant goal, akin to running a marathon rather than a sprint. 

• Long-Term Focus:

  It's about working hard to make a future a reality, day in and day out, for years. 

• Predictor of Success:

  Studies show that grit is a significant predictor of success, independent of talent and IQ. 

• Resilience:

  Grit is closely linked to resilience, allowing people to bounce back from difficulties with a positive mindset. 

• Developable:

  Unlike inherent talent, grit can be cultivated and strengthened through practice and a growth mindset. 

Ponder what you are curious about, past loves, current interests. What stops you from trying? Age, time, energy, money, confidence, nay sayers??? Take a chance. Your spirit will appreciated a little grit in your gizzard.

Denise