You Can Build Resilience Through Running.
Everyone has a hobby. You enjoy doing that thing to unwind after a long day at work or prepare for a long day at work. One of mine is running, and I completed my first official 10k run today. Yaaay!!!
I couldn't believe it the first time I ran a 5k. Now 10k! These are ks that other people finish. Now being one of them feels fantastic.
Running has been more than just stamping my foot in the right place; it has been about getting to know myself better, testing limits, and reaching my full potential. And this season, more than ever, running has proven to me that I can go the extra mile. Even if I feel stuck in the middle or as if I'll never make it, I can. And that there are some things I can control during this period of self-doubt.
Medical school is not a sprint. It is a marathon. You know it is a long journey, but there are periods when you are doubtful of the end. At least, that's how it felt to me, and 5k felt the same way. Applying for Residency feels like going above and beyond. I keep telling myself that if I could pass those exams and have the courage to overcome all medical school challenges, I could apply for a Residency. If I can run a 10-kilometer race, I have what it takes to get into Residency.
Are you wondering what I mean by Residency?
Residency is a Continuous Graduate Medical education for doctors. It is a job application. Like any other job, it requires focus, determination, and a belief in yourself.
The joy of the process is more important than the number of miles covered. The race begins when you are having fun. At some point in medical school, I lost track of how I was graded and became preoccupied with the thrill of getting up early and showing up at the hospital with all of the knowledge I had gained during basic science. Every stamp is now a blessing, a reminder that you are still alive. I suppose this is where you give way to autopilot mode. When endorphins are released, and you feel like you're flying, you forget about the muscle strain.
You never want to halt.
I am kidding.
I always want to come to a halt. But I usually don't because I keep telling myself, "it's almost over," and I'm waiting for the burst after the race. When it says "10k completed," stop. It's when I start to feel the endorphins. I believe there is a tipping point when you're running and feel at one with the universe, but I'm not there yet. I suppose that's the time after medical school and Residency when you get in more control of what you love. Pathology is that for me. When you've done it for a long time, it begins to feel like your fingertips. When you have mastered your calling, you have mastered yourself. Perhaps it is then that you feel at one with the universe. I'm working hard to get there. It could take 20k or even 50k to get there. It makes no difference as long as I keep running.
Keep going, my fellow 2023 Match Residency applicants. It's not over until you cross the finish line. You certainly can.