Running Doesn't Have to Suck

So, we’re all familiar with this question, right? “What’s YOUR Why?” The question is often posed about many experiences or responsibilities. Going back to school? What’s your why? Getting a new job? What’s your why? Working two jobs? What’s your why? Joining a gym? What’s your why?

Often the response to the question is answered with “because of my son/daughter,” or “because I need to better myself.” I’ve recently learned the implication behind the question doesn’t always have to be monumental. Sometimes, “What’s Your Why” can be answered with simplicity. “Because I need it.”

In the craziness that has become my life since graduating from college, I have found it hard to balance all my responsibilities. Sometimes, I find it difficult to motivate myself to finish a task. I guess I lack a “why!” It’s quite the balancing act, maintaining a social life, exercise and a work life. Add a relationship, depression/anxiety and severe insomnia into the mix? I’m usually just one Jenga block away from tumbling over. 

Besides reading, I needed to find something to keep me moving through life--to keep me from feeling stagnant, overwhelmed and bored. I have always teetered in and out of running. I knew I needed something to exhaust me physically, (work had me mentally exhausted—using your brain for 8-9 hours straight can do that to a person), and I knew running was definitely tiring. 

I laced up my shoes, turned on my Spotify, took a sip of water and started walking. 

Wait—isn’t this about running?

Yep! But you can’t crawl before you walk and, similarly, you can’t run before you walk! 

I used Running for Weight Loss, a free program I have enjoyed in the past. I selected the “Intermediate” level which begins with a 5-minute walk and cycles you through 3 minutes of running & 3 minutes of walking. 

I pushed myself to get through each 3-minute segment of running, thinking things like, “if you can just get another 30 seconds down, you’ll get closer to walking.” I allowed my mind to drift into the music, and out of the manic anxiety that often rules my brain.

As I progressed through each segment, the app cheered me on with motivational terms like “you’re doing great, keep going.” But, the best one? “You’re halfway there!”

I pushed and sweated through the rest of the workout, completing 2.78 miles and feeling on top of the world. I swear, it was like I conquered a marathon or something. I may have walked half and run half, but I finished it! I felt like superwoman. 

This was probably a combination of being finished and the endorphins released while exercising, but hey—let me have my moment!

While preparing for bed that night, feeling adequately fulfilled and just the right kind of exhausted, I started to consider the things I’d learned during my run. 

Suddenly, I realized that running is a metaphor for my struggles in life, be they internal or external.

If you just push through, take it minute by minute, you’re that much closer to the reward. The reward? Getting through it and reaching the other side.  I also learned that finishing something that challenged you and made you somewhat uncomfortable feels good. Point blank, period. It feels GOOD.

I vowed to lace up my shoes again and get out there. I noticed a new sense of clarity in my mind and strength developing both physically and mentally. Running helped me to control my thoughts and empower my body. 

Starting to run? What’s your why? 

Because I need to. I need to run to allow my mind the space it needs to free itself from the entanglement of depression/anxiety and the everyday stresses I endure. I need running to feel strong and empowered, to feel like I can conquer anything. I need running to remind myself I really can do anything I put my mind too.

I plan to share the ups & downs of my running journey with you here. I hope to demonstrate tips and motivate you to get out there with me! Let’s get out there and empower our bodies and minds together.

So, what’s YOUR why?