Beautiful crepe myrtle tree in my garden. The flowers match my runners
Yesterday I extended my causal 5k to 5.6k to ensure that I jumped to the incredibly exciting ‘purple’ level in the NRC app (Nike Run Club). I did it. Whoop, yeah!!! But what did I get? Nothing. Nada. Zilch. What was I expecting? Well actually, I was hoping for a spinning purple shield with some balloons or confetti moving around it and a trumpet sound, seriously, that’s the truth. I double checked a few sections searching for my cheering squad. But no. Tumbleweed rolled instead.
I must admit, I was disappointed at the time. These animations do make me smile. Or maybe I should say smirk. But 24hrs later I actually feel pretty silly admitting that. I really do. Why do I need electronic validation? I’m above that surely?
Conditioning is so effective. I was just like one of those dogs that Pavlov tested his theory on. I’ve been conditioned to expect a reward for my efforts, especially from my phone. Gamification of previously perfectly enjoyable experiences has tricked this old dog good and proper.
But defending my achievements, that 2500km is only in the app. What about the days I ran but my battery died, or I ran for the bus, or all those years when I ran pre-NRC and was blissfully naive of the love/hate relationship with self-monitoring? They count. In fact I can still remember the first time I forgot my music and heard my running breath. That was amazing. Try it. Running for me is more than the miles.
In truth I did get something for my efforts. Two things. Firstly, I was informed on the levels page that there was 641.5km to get to the first purple milestone. Oh joy (sarcasm). I’ve just done 2500km and you are telling me I need to do more? Secondly, I had a reality check. I still ran, no matter how far (or fast, and don’t even mention the splits or elevation), and just because I measured it doesn’t make it more real, more worthy, shield deserving. I realised that I need to reframe my thinking of measurements and their impact on my mind. Yes, the gap to purple motivated me to run further, but the achievement was a let down. I need to find my motivation from within, and only measure the mere doing. Just be.
Stripes and trees x
Stripes & Trees 