Running is a road to self-awareness and reliance … you can push yourself to extremes and learn the harsh reality of your physical and mental limitations or coast quietly down a solitary path watching the earth spin beneath your feet. But when you are through, exhilarated and exhausted, at least for a moment everything seems right with the world…

Monday, April 11, 2011

My Top 10 Reasons for Running

Not being able to run much the last few weeks has really got me thinking about why I love it so much. So I made a top ten list.


Number 10- It’s easy. I know it may seem like running is a hard sport, and in some ways it is. But as one very uncoordinated person I can tell you it’s the easiest one for me. Anyone can do it, if you set your mind to it.

Number 9- It burns calories, thus allowing me to not feel so bad about eating a lot of them (mostly healthy.)

Number 8- My future health. There are a lot of benefits for my future. Especially for my heart, and since I’m inheriting heart issues from both of my grandpas its important for me to think about this.

Number 7- Better Skin- seriously. Fewer pimples. All that sweat really helps release toxins from your skin. Currently (after 2-3weeks of not running) I have several pimples on my face and my chest. Yuck!

Number 6- Easier Periods. I know this doesn’t apply to you boys, but a replacement reason for you could be that it improves sex skills. ;) In high school my periods lasted 9 days long, I had horrible cramps, bad migraines, and became nauseous often. One of my teachers even commented to my mother that I always did terrible on my quiz the 3rd week of the month. He didn’t get it. Freshman year I went on birth control because I knew I couldn’t afford to do bad on any quiz. My periods got a bit easier, lasted less times, had fewer cramps, migraines, and nausea Recently I decided to go off birth control (for personal reasons) and figured my periods would get worse. But, I skipped a month, and the month after that was a breeze. I hope this pattern continues :)

Number 5- My sleep schedule. Since I moved into this house, for whatever reason I’ve had problems sleeping. Several times my mother has suggested doing a sleep study, and I have refused. Since I started running I rarely have issues with sleep.

Number 4- Energy Levels. These last two weeks (not running due to injury) I have been so lazy it is unbelievable. Running seriously boosts my energy levels, and keeps me going.

Number 3- It’s a stress reducer. No lies. I’m way less stressed when I’m able to run.

Number 2- It’s me time. I can leave the entire world behind. I get lonely a lot, but a lot of the time I wish everyone around me would just leave me alone. Running is my time to be by myself, with my music, contemplating what I want and who I want to be.

Number 1- It increases my self confidence. Since I started running I know my body doesn’t look any different. I still have my little baby bump (I like to joke that I look 3 months preggers, and really I do sometimes shop in the maternity sections of stores) and I still have stretch marks on my quads, and I still have what I refer to as a part double chin. I never used to have low self-esteem. In high school I had a flat belly, nice legs, and a generally perfect body. Best of all I could eat whatever I wanted. When I came to college I started eating dorm food, and started snacking all the time. I gained 10 pounds freshman year. Since I started running I have gained an additional 7. If you had told me 4 years ago that I would be a self-conscious freak I would not have believed you, but I am. Somehow though, even though I still see all these “terrible” features of myself I feel better about who I am. And I'm not just more confident about my looks, I'm also more confident about my choices.

That's it. There are a lot more benefits of running. I suggest if you are runner you make your own list. it's very encouraging.


2 comments:

  1. this was awesome to read for many reasons, my little blogger.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cool reasons! I completely agree :)

    ReplyDelete