All of my life I’d been running away from running. It seemed so clumsy, aggressive – and it was obvious from the pain that I wasn’t very good at picking sports bras.
Despite my aversion, in college I actually toyed with the idea of being a runner, mostly because I’d heard it helps you lose weight. I’d hit the track with grand dreams of gracefully getting in a few laps before taking on my real workout. Instead I’d make it through the first two laps gasping for air and massaging a knot in my chest while watching the senior citizens whiz by.
It wasn’t until I got smacked by life that I discovered how healing running could be. I’d almost flunked out of school, my boyfriend had broken up with me and I could barely scrounge up a few dollars for gas. I needed to run away from it all – and so I started running.
My first run felt euphoric. It felt so freeing – the humid wind in my hair; the feeling of rock and gravel under my feet. You know the scene in Forest Gump when Jenny screams, “Run Forest, run!” He runs so fast and hard that the braces on his legs fall away. That’s how it felt for me that first time, with each step I was breaking away from my mental shackles.
Ten years later I’m still running. I’m not graceful, I’m still clumsy (even with a better bra) and on a good day I run 3 miles at the most. But when I’m done I feel accomplished, fulfilled and running towards life.
Benefits of Running
1. It’s cheap. All you need is a safe place to do it.
2. It can help you lose weight.
3. Running is intense which means it also can help strengthen bones and muscles.
4. Hitting the pavement is a great stress reliever, allowing you to think about your problems and how to resolve them. It’s also a great escape.
What does running do for you?
2 comments
Sheila S. says:
Jul 2, 2011
I love running. I’ve done 3 5K’s and am training for my first marathon in September.
Zee says:
Jul 3, 2011
Running got me a full track scholarship to college. After I had my first child I started jogging to get back in shape and I was back in my “cute” jeans 4 months after she was born. When I had my son it took me a while to figure it out, but I starting running again and the weight melted off and I felt great. There is such a variation to running. One can do sprint intervals or jog a few miles. At the end of the day, running is when I feel free and grounded at the same time. I was never a “jogger” and to this day I enjoy a good sprint interval workout. Running is cheap, but rich in rewards.