Thoughts on Running

I'll admit that until about a year ago, I thought distance runners were crazy. Why would someone spend so much time and effort, sacrificing their feet, knees, ankles, hips, you name it?

Basically, I felt like running more than a few miles at a time was more hurtful than helpful. But then my parents started running marathons. Suddenly, running gels, heart rate monitors, tendonitis, and hydrating on 3 hour weekend runs were common discussion topics. And somehow, I caught the bug. I still think running 26 miles is kind of crazy, but 13 seemed like a reasonable distance (which I realize is still pretty crazy).

So I made a goal to run a half marathon this year, and yesterday, I did it!

As I've trained, I've fallen in love with running. It can be painful (I'm basically always nursing some injury). It can be boring. It can be time consuming. And I absolutely love it. Here's why.

1. Running makes me feel beautiful.
I am grateful that I've never really struggled with major self esteem issues.

Even when it comes to looks, I've always been fairly content with myself. So I was definitely surprised by how much more confident I am in my appearance when I'm running regularly. I don't actually look very different (I've lost a few pounds but it's not all that noticeable), and I'm positive I don't look particularly graceful while I'm running. But knowing that I'm in good physical condition just makes me feel better about my body, even if my appearance is exactly the same to anyone else. 

2. Running is respite from the rest of life.
Like most people (or at least most women), I usually have a dozen or so topics going through my mind during any given minute.

I often have the rather paradoxical issue of having too many things to worry about but not enough time to give them the amount of thought they need to be resolved. Running helps in two ways: (1) it gives me a chunk of time to think through something when I can't feasibly be doing anything else, and (2) it gives me the chance to just tune everything out and focus on my podcast and my running. Whether I need some time to think or I need some time to not think, running gives me the break I need.

3. Running improves my health.
Of course this one wasn't exactly unexpected. Health is the reason most people run in the first place, but it's still nice to see noticeable results. When I went to the doctor a few weeks ago, my resting heart rate was 55, at least 10 beats per minute lower than six months ago. That's like the heart rate of an athlete. I've never been an athlete before! Way to be more efficient, heart!

4. Running makes me part of an amazing group.
Anyone who runs regularly knows that runners are some of the friendliest people in the community. Especially if you run early in the morning in popular areas (such as in a park or on a river trail), almost every other runner you pass will look at you, smile, and maybe even say good morning. There is a spirit of mutual support and camaraderie among runners that I think is pretty rare (because let's face it, getting up early and pushing your body to its limits is hard, and we can't resist cheering on anyone who manages to do it).

5. Running gives me something to accomplish.
I always have a pretty long list of things I'm trying to do or be. While I believe I'm making progress on many of them, not many of my goals are as easily tracked and measured as my running goals. I think I'm praying more sincerely than I did 6 months ago, but I KNOW I can run further than I could six months ago. The sense of accomplishment that comes with running is huge, and it's nice to know I'm always improving.

6. Running gives me confidence.
After a long run, this is about how I feel.

Yes, I often feel like some part of my body is about to give out, but I also feel really powerful. As I was running through the canyon yesterday, I remember looking around and thinking "This is incredible. If I can do this, I can do anything!" That boy I'm interested in, I'm totally going to ask him out. That class I'm teaching come fall, I'm totally going to rock it. That paper I want to publish, a little revision and I'm sending it to the journals. For me, "runner's high" basically equates to all my fears melting away. There's nothing quite like it.

Distance running. Let's just say, I'm hooked.