Skip to main content

Why I Run..

Miles Upon Miles Upon Miles? Some people run for charity, while others run for exercise, to make friends, to accomplish a goal or even for fun. Well  I've discovered I run for three big reasons...

Bragging Rights

One of the coolest things about training for a marathon is being able to say, I ran 30 miles last week. Well I can't officially say that as my training came up a little short last week BUT I can say I ran 26.5 miles last week. I guess that means I ran a marathon. I could check it off my bucket list! Ha, I don't think that qualifies for the 26.2 magnet that I am looking forward to slapping on the back of my vehicle in October.

So for those of you who have to see my Facebook feed on a daily basis, I truly apologize; but seriously it is fun to let the world know that I just finished a seven mile run, or twenty mile bike ride. It truly makes me feel like I accomplished something in my day.

Therapy


People always told me to go out and get some exercise if I was depressed, pissed off, cranky, stressed and the list goes on. I have discovered there really is nothing more therapeutic than exercise. As long as I am logging miles whether it be by bike, foot or water I feel really good about myself. While in motion I find myself  strategizing difficult situations, cursing at the person who just ticked me off and sometimes simply zoning out and fining peace. Conquering a run/bike/swim or anything for that matter, than you initially thought you couldn't accomplish, can really impact your self esteem. It sure does beat the 80 dollars you may spend at your therapists office (BTW, therapy is great too, I just recognize that exercise can either supplement or substitute therapy).

Spirituality


When I run, especially with the group I have joined, I feel like I am part of something bigger than myself. The only word I can find to describe the feeling is the word spiritual. I know that may sound dramatic but if you know me, you know I have a tendency towards a little drama. Harmless drama, but drama nonetheless. As I mentioned before this 'movement' toward becoming an athlete has brought me one step closer to finding my inner peace, and that isn't even what I was looking for.

By the way the picture is from my favorite running store. I have a little shirt envy from those who wear this shirt around town! I hope to have one some day :)


Comments

  1. Tell it like it is. Real. Honest. Genuine. It is part of you, and you are part of it. You have the most difficult part of it already, which is the heart/grit/mindset/determination/fortitude/strength/ambition. It will be awesome to see you cross the finish line in Columbus. Not if. WHEN. Not anyone. YOU. Not pain. FEELING. Not boredom. LIFE.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

All in a Day's Work

I don't even know how to begin this post... Several months ago, my sister had this bright idea to do her first half iron distance triathlon. I have always wanted to do one so I told her if she did it I would do it too. Next thing I know I was clicking register now on the registration page of the Highcliff Triathlon in Wisconsin. You can read about some of the reactions I received when I announced to various friends that I was going to do this race here . Over the months my friends have taken on the challenge of being supportive and cheering me on along the way. This was no easy feat as I was on the training roller coaster. As the day approached, I thought about all of the possible things that could go wrong and right. I had visions of myself standing on the side of the bike course with a flat tire, me holding on to a lifeguard boat, dreams about wearing clown shoes for the run, and on and on... I also day dreamed about the finish line, what it might look like, who would be the

I Have Multiple Sclerosis

One of my favorite bike rides ever! I have debated whether I was going to make this public for quite some time, however there really aren't any significant reasons why I wouldn't share. It hasn't impacted my life dramatically, and if I'm lucky, it never will. I also don't want to be a poster child, nor do I require or want any special treatment simply because I have MS. The thing is, I know more and more people who are impacted significantly by this disease and I feel compelled to help the cause. So for one purpose only, I am outing myself. Here's the brief story. Two years ago my tongue went numb, my arm went numb and I though I slept funny or had a mini stroke. I brushed it off as sleeping funny day after day, after day. Then my eye started twitching, among other symptoms. I decided I was simply crazy... After a while all of these symptoms became so infuriating so I went to the doctor. While at the doctor, he chalked it up to stress, but after a closer

Jumping the Gun!

This is a 'total' bonus post for the week. I highly recommend reading my previous post, to better understand where I am coming from. You can check it out here .  I am not going to go into details but my name and grandma have been used in a sentence TWICE the past two days. Seriously? Do I look or act that old??? I must... Perhaps it is all the pie making! I am a woman of my word (for the most part, we all falter from time to time) and I mentioned in my last post that there was a chance I was jumping the gun with my dramatic flare related to being sidelined! Well, sidelined I am, but maybe for less time than I initially anticipated. The doctor will tell me my plan in three weeks. The overarching goal? The Chicago Marathon!  While running the Columbus Marathon, last year, I was blessed with amazing spectators and also running companions during the race. One of my companions was my sister. Somewhere near mile 25 she took a picture of me STILL smiling. It isn't ofte