Running: What It's Taught Me and How It's Changed My Life

I used to dislike running. Actually, that’s putting it a little too lightly. I used to hate running. I try to avoid using that word but it’s the most accurate way to describe my former emotions toward that type of physical activity. So, the fact that I currently run three times per week is just as surprising to me as it probably is to you. I now look forward to days where I get to hammer out four to eight miles in the morning sun. I hope I don’t sound like one of those preachy, elitist, douchey runner types, but running has been a phenomenal addition to my life.

In July, a few friends of mine completed a sprint triathlon. On the day of the event, I was there to watch and support them. It was amazing to watch them complete the race, but what affected me, even more, was watching them train in the months leading up to the event. They were working hard toward their goals, having fun and getting in great shape. When they completed the race, I saw their fulfillment; they reached their goal.

Shortly thereafter, I decided to sign up for a half-marathon, which would take place in early November. One of my friends decided to sign up with me too. Now I had a goal and I needed to start training if I was going to reach it. I’ll cut right to the chase, I completed the half-marathon and enjoyed it, despite a couple of setbacks. The half-marathon was a great goal to complete, but I’d like to talk about the constructive hobby I picked up along the way.

At first, you might imagine how my runs went. My pace at the start was too quick, I was tiring early, my form was inconsistent, and I did very little in the realm of pre-run preparation or post-run recovery. I also wasn’t getting the adequate amount of sleep necessary to help my body and mind recover from my runs. I was working a job that required my arrival at the office at 7 a.m. and, being someone who prefers exercise in the morning hours, was waking up at 4:45 to either go to the gym or do a run. Not surprisingly, this wasn’t the most sustainable exercise schedule, even for a morning person like me. So, I had to adapt. I began running in the afternoon on weekday runs and in the morning on weekends. Coincidentally, I ended up getting laid off from that job in October, so I was able to start running in the mid-morning. Silver linings.

I can’t quote an exact date, but something happened about a month in to my training. It was no longer a chore. Running was fun. On most of my run days, I was the human equivalent of a golden retriever going for a walk. Not only had my mind and body started to enjoy distance running, but my runs were becoming more productive. In the early stages, I was essentially just going through the motions; running for the sake of, well, running. However, the further I progressed, the more my runs became opportunities to strengthen my mind and push myself past barriers. It’s like every run was a little battle and, as long as I reached my total distance goal, I got a gratifying W. Sure, I had the help of audiobooks (David Goggins’ was and still is a personal favorite of mine), podcasts, and my running music playlist, but eventually playing those through my headphones was more routine than necessity (although I do still prefer to run with music).

Motivation dissipates. It’s temporary. Yes, one can find motivation from time to time and it can help get the ball rolling, but it’s ultimately up to the individual to intrinsically motivate his or herself. Motivation itself is also not enough. There needs to be a drive and a hunger to enjoy the process of working towards the goal. For me, running became more about developing discipline, hardening my mind, and pushing myself to reach the goals I set for myself. There are still plenty of days when I don’t want to run, whether I’m having trouble getting started or feeling sluggish three miles in. Thoughts like “Ugh, I don’t want to run today,” “It’s cold out,” “I just feel…meh,” and “Shit, only two miles in and I’m already struggling?” are all occasional occurrences. When this happens, the discipline and routine I’ve built help me get my shoes on and helps me continue to put one foot in front of the other. Then after I’m done, I’m glad I did it. Fortunately, this has translated over in to the other aspects of my life too. Running has become a tangible catalyst for building discipline and overall self-betterment.

Running is a rare form of meditation where you can mentally escape or work through your problems, turn off your mind and zone out, and be brutally forced in to the present moment all within the same five minutes. It sucks, but then it’s great. It’s widely known that running, and exercise in general, provide an array of mental and physical benefits. After all, humans have been doing it forever; it’s a primal movement and something we’re meant to do. I personally noticed that after only a few weeks of running, the occasional cluttered or overwhelmed feeling I had in my mind was much quieter. Little things that would usually bother me were taken in stride. It’s amazing how much fell away and how distilled life became during and after my runs. I was sharper and more able to handle the challenges that life threw at me. Also, the gym was a great supplement to my running routine. I was excited that I was starting to get in good shape and actually see physical results.

My diet and vitamin/supplement routine also became better. I started to adopt daily and recovery practices like stretching, sauna, cold showers/baths, meditation and float tank sessions (all things that I would like to write more about in the future). Most unexpectedly, people have reached out in support and some have even been motivated by me; that’s something for which I’m very grateful. All of these things had a positive, cumulative impact on my physical and mental health.

I’ll admit that running can be hard on the body, and for me personally, not sustainable at very high mileages. Pre-run prep and post-run recovery can only help so much. So, I’ll be slightly tapering my running down and implementing additional, less impactive cardio activities like cycling and swimming. You, however, may be able to potentially run more or less than I. Each person is different and it’s important to be aware of your body’s sustainable limits.

I’m not going to pretend like this activity has solved all of my problems. It hasn’t. That being said, it has fixed a few and made me more able to deal with the rest. The simple act of running has continued to provide me with both structure and possibility. Getting outside in the fresh air to get my heart rate up and move around is often the highlight of my day. If you find yourself in a rut or are looking for another way to strengthen your body and mind, I can’t recommend running enough. Hell, even getting out for a 20-minute walk or hike can do wonders. If you’re just starting and want to run, just know that it’s going to suck until it doesn’t. There will likely be some spitting, cursing, side-aches, knee pain and more, but when you reach the finish line, I can assure you that it will be worth it.

Start slow and remember to stay hydrated. Listen to your body. If pain becomes a physically inhibiting factor, shut it down and seek some advice from a professional. If you see a fellow runner, walker or anyone out and about, don’t be afraid to muscle out a smile and a thumbs-up; It’s amazing what a little support and encouragement can do. Oh, and watch out for cyclists. They’re friendly until you get in their way. See you out there.