I came home from campus this afternoon feeling tired after a long day in the midst of what has been a long week. I love to travel, but I came into this week with a deficit of energy and logged 12 hour days teaching, grading, and being in meetings on Monday, Tuesday, and yesterday. I didn't sleep well last night, and part of me was really tempted to just peel off my clothes, put on my pjs, and take a nap, but the sun was shining and the foliage had looked so beautiful on my brief drive home that I decided instead to peel off my clothes, put on running ones, and go for a run. I only did 2.5 miles, but I could feel the change in me - physically, emotionally, mentally - as I went. The first half mile sucked, as I was still dwelling on some things that have frustrated me this week. By the time I had logged a mile my shoulders had dropped from around my ears, my spine had straightened, my facial muscles had relaxed, my breathing had found rhythm, and I could feel my emotions stabilizing. I was no longer disappointed, frustrated, and vaguely angry. I felt content. I had found the eye in the storm. At the turn around, I picked up the pace a little and found myself smiling, and feeling content. I savored the return journey (ironic that I savored it while running faster) and enjoyed looking at the leaves on the trees and in raked-up piles on the ground.
Years ago when I started out running I did it because I wanted to be fit. Somewhere along the way it became fun and also necessary. Sometimes I run to be social, to be out in the world or to be among running friends. Sometimes I run - as I ran today - to cope with frustration, anger, envy, loss, or grief. I run to unwind, to deal with stress, and to keep an even keel. I run to find clarity and to work through my shit. Sometimes I run because I feel grateful that I can or because I've just graded 20 exams and need to work the kinks in my body out. I run to celebrate: holidays, anniversaries, friendships, achievements, survival, a beautiful day, myself. I run for many reasons that I can't even begin to articulate here.
Why do you run?
Great post. I 100% agree with you! I run because it is the best stress reliever for me. It makes me FEEL good. I feel weird and "off" when I don't get out there for my runs!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I agree with all you said. I run when I am upset. I run when I am happy. I run when I am confused or discouraged or feel defeated. I run when I am angry. I run when I need a pick me up. I run when I am so tired, I really don't think I have the energy - but magically, I do. And I feel so much better.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful I have running!
Glad to hear that your run was therapeutic! I ran at first when I was 14 years because I was too uncoordinate and unathletic for any sport but cross country. The times in my life when I didn't run, I was more stressed and mentally fragile. A couple years ago, during a super stressed period, I read in one of those natural health magazines that regular, high intensity aerobic exercise had to scientifically shown to deal with mental health issues as effectively as anti-depressants and other anxiety meds. That did it for me. I don't let more than 2 days go without running, even if it's for a short one.
ReplyDeleteI completely know how you felt on your 2.5 mile run. I have been there many times.
ReplyDeleteI run mostly as a stress release and to stay fit. I love the fact that it helps me stay balanced.
I started off doing it because I was grateful that I could. Then I started doing it for fun and also for the social aspect. Then I started getting competitive with myself. Then I realized that I was getting fit. And most of the time it helps me clear my head. So yeah, a lot of reasons.
ReplyDeleteI run because it makes me feel like my body is capable of anything. Bcause it makes me beautiful and balanced. Because it helps me write. Because it connects me to my dad. Because it makes me much easier to live with. Because it helps me conquers my fears and become more ambitious and at once more down to earth.
ReplyDeleteI run for a lot of the same reasons you just posted here, but you described it much better than I could!
ReplyDeleteSo well said. I could feel my own body relaxing as I read about yours letting go -- so interesting that we can relax through hard work, but it's very true. Someone asked me the other day to sum up my reasons for running in a brief phrase, and after thinking about it I could only say that I run because I can and so that I can. Every chance I get.
ReplyDeleteI run because it makes me feel strong and capable
ReplyDeleteit is amazing how our perceptions change. I know travel wrecks my planned runs, but I too try to just get in a few miles and always feel better
ReplyDeleteRunning really is the best drug out there. I have found nothing that makes me feel better. Mexican food and chocolate cup-cakes are close but fall short. But if I eat them than I have to go running, so it all works out in the end.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is kind of a way to de-stress sometimes, isn't it? There are so many times I don't feel like going but afterwards I never regret it! I always feel better after. I run for many reasons, to accomplish goals, to get fit, and like you said, to cope/de-stress/feel better!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely reminder of all the things running can give us, if only we let it. This makes me want to go for a run right now. :)
ReplyDeleteYes. This was beautiful, R. I run to feel more alive and to remind myself that the world is so much bigger than the tiny corner where I spend more of my time. I run to feel small. But I also run to feel powerful. And yes, like Frances said, I run because I can. And that's a gift.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm especially glad I have a running date with myself tonight! Woot!
thank you so much for this. I'm getting ready to go running this afternoon for many of the reasons you've mentioned.
ReplyDeleteWhile running provides good cardio exercise, I find that I *really* need it for the mental health benefits.
Love it! I ran for stress relief and the socialization. I can't wait to get back to it!
ReplyDeleteExercise definitely helps me blow off steam and unwind, though like you, I started doing it to be fit. But somewhere along the line it turned from this thing I felt I had to do and was even forcing myself to do to something I actually enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing these "why I run" posts. I wrote one a few weeks ago (or last week - can't remember) and then saw another yesterday somewhere and now yours. They just make me think "yeah, this running thing is really something special." Granted, I'm sure most people feel that way about their sports. But it's amazing how mind clearing a run can be. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteDe-stressing is a big element of running for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd right now I'm nursing an injury with a longer-than-usual pre-race taper... I haven't run since Wednesday morning.
I think I'm slowly going insane...
(grading my students' quizzes might push me right over that edge)
I run because I want to be healthy and fit, I run because I love begin outside, I run because it helps me clear my head.
ReplyDeleteI run for so many reasons. It's my quiet time, my peaceful time, my time to just be by myself and live in the glory of the day. It's something I've come to rely on.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'm not a runner, I am a walker and I think the Camino made me into a walker for sanity and necessity. I take walks all the time and find it important to always have walkable footwear. And when I was in therapy for my fear of flying and I was asked to imagine myself at my most peaceful, it was walking. It grounds me and keeps in step.
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