I love to run--and apparently I'm not the only one. According to Running USA (www.runningusa.org) approximately10.3 million people finished a road race in 2009 (a 9% increase from the previous year) and in 2010 marathon finishers increased by 8.6%! Why are so many people turning to running? I thought I would start by reflecting on the question for myself.
Writing this blog has forced me to do some soul searching and I have realized that one constant in my life it’s that whether my life is going smoothly or not, I will feel better after a run. True, there are days when the last thing I wanted to do is go out for a run, but I know as soon as I step out the door and start moving my feet, I’m always glad I did. Here is my list of reasons, although I’m certain there are many more:
RACE ENERGY
If you have pinned on a racing bib the morning of a road race, you have felt it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 1-Mile Turkey Trot or a marathon, road races are swirling with feel-good energy (especially at the finish). Maybe it has something to do with people coming together in a community setting to do something healthy, often in support of a worthy charity. For me the feeling is palpable. At road races I feel more alive and on purpose.
Check out the smiles on our boys at our local Turkey Trot which benefitted the Mt. Prospect Jaycees. This race has become a tradition in our family:
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| Our boys had fun recreating the finish for a photo-op. |
FACE & EMBRACE THE MOMENTS
I run to contemplate, embrace and stay present in life. The morning of my wedding, I ran my favorite route one last time through my childhood hometown (across the railroad tracks, past my former high school, and into the neighboring town’s winding, tree lined streets), in no way grasping the scope of the changes that were waiting around the corner in my life (big moves, three amazing kids, a personal crisis or two, countless happy moments). On the due date of my third child--I was so eager to meet our newest addition and to have my body back--I waddled briskly, doing lap after lap around the neighborhood park until labor ensued. My desperation transformed into joy and pure unconditional love when later that day I gave birth to our (9 pound!) baby daughter. (And we thought her name was going to be Luke!)
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EMOTIONAL RELEASE
Sad things happen. Life happens. Hormones happen. I run to release bottled up stressful thoughts and strong emotions. I have learned through experience that running is one of the best ways to let out a good cry because tears can be concealed by a running hat and can be mistaken for sweat. I have had days when I have been able to convert feelings of raw anger into calm serenity in under six miles.
Last night I read the book "When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry..." by Molly Bang to my daughter and it hit home (for me!), so I thought I would include it in my post:
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| What does Sophie do when she is angry? She runs of course! |
BABY JOGGER FREEDOM
I run because a baby jogger, a pb&j, a sippy cup, a Dora book (and a promise of park time at the end) will take my daughter and me miles away to my favorite running hill which happens to be next to her favorite playground.
CALGON TAKE ME AWAY
When the kids are home sick and I am the one climbing the walls for a change, I have learned that jogging loops through my kitchen and living room with some stair sprints thrown in can get me through a long day. I know I am a better mom, wife and person when I squeeze some running into my life--especially on days when I am playing the role of the cooped up caretaker! Besides, bubble baths aren’t always an option.
OUT-OF-TOWN ADVENTURES
I have run down Bourbon Street at dawn, passing nocturnal tourists and having to adjust my footing on the sticky cobble stone. Once, on a rainy morning in Manhattan, I crisscrossed through Central Park, never in a million years thinking I would have the place to myself. I believe running is one of the best ways to tour a vacation spot or business trip destination!
FOR A CAUSE
If you are one of the 40,000 people who ran the Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago last month, you probably saw several clusters of young runners wearing orange shirts during the race.
These highly motivated children (it was an 8K race after all!) were from a charity close to my heart, Chicago Run www.chicagorun.org. As I have mentioned in a previous post, Chicago Run is non-profit organization that brings running programs to underserved children of the Chicago Public Schools. I had the opportunity to run the race with several ‘Running Mates’ from Jordan Community School and it was an honor! I was so inspired by these go-getters, that I have signed up for the second year to be a charity marathon runner for Chicago Run. While this year I am super excited to run my hometown marathon, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon www.chicagomarathon.com, last year I ran the Grand Rapids Marathon for Chicago Run. Grand Rapids was by far my most humbling race of any distance... ever. I had severe digestive system issues (I’ll leave it at that for now) and I don’t think I would have finished if I wasn’t running for a cause bigger than myself.
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| A group of runners from Jordan Community School and me. at the finish of the B of A Shamrock Shuffle. |
Side note about the GRM: The blessing that came from running at a slower pace was that I really got to take in the beauty of my surroundings during the race. We ran across foot bridges over flowing water, under canopies of multi-colored trees, we followed winding paths through their own 'Millennium Park', Grand Rapids is a gorgeous marathon! I highly recommend the race! www.grandrapidsmarathon.com
RUNNING IS AN ETCH-A-SKETCH FOR THE MIND
I have learned that during a run the negative thoughts slip away making room for creative ideas, potential solutions to tough problems and clarification of dreams.
I run not because I always have a burning desire to do so, but because over time I have learned that a mile or so into a run, I can’t imagine anywhere else I rather be (except maybe--on one occasion-- the delivery room).
Do you love to run? I would love to hear why! Tell me on Path of Intention's facebook page.
Thank you!
Amy
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