I do it because my body wants me to
I know some of you have got to be sick of all my running posts, but I really need to get this out there. And it’s not too brag, or gloat, but just to share my happiness.
I am at a point in my running where it feels so good to run. It feels so natural. I feel like I could keep going and going. I don’t want to stop. I look forward to my run all day long. I veg out on it. I let my mind wander. I let my body take over. I let it do what it wants to do. It feels right.
I really think my body wants me to be a runner.
I am trying to enjoy every minute of this, because I am aware of the taxing effect running can have on your body if you are not careful. I am aware that I could sustain an injury that would sideline me for awhile. I am really hoping that doesn’t happen, but I know it’s a risk, so even though I love running so much, I make sure not to run too much. I make sure to take a day off here and there, even though I don’t want to.
Yesterday was the perfect day, running-wise. I checked the forecast on Sunday, and knew it was supposed to be somewhat sunny, in the upper 50s around 6:00 PM, so I got up extra early, and got to work by 7:00 on Monday, so I could leave at 4:30 and run at 6:15. I saw the sun all day at my office, and on the train ride home, and I was just stoked. My neighbor decided to run with me (the awesome neighbor I am always writing about), so we chatted the whole way. We ran an easy 5 miles (around 10:00 minute mile pace), and pushed it the last quarter of a mile (between 7:00-8:00 minute mile pace). It felt great! He was so stoked when we hit 4 miles, then 5 miles when we ended, because he hadn’t run that far in quite some time. His excitement and energy rubbed off on me as well, so I felt even better.
I was done running around 7:20, and Steven was just finishing the end of the P90X Shoulders and Back and Ab Ripper DVD. I took a quick shower, then we made dinner together and were able to relax a bit before going to bed a little early! A perfect run, followed by a perfect night! I usually have to exercise after dinner, so it means a lot when I actually get to sit down with my husband.
I just wanted to share this, because I have been portraying a lot of stress here lately. And I am stressed, but aren’t we all? I don’t want to portray myself as an unhappy person – just your normal, “stressed out from time to time and trying to figure themselves out” type of person. It helps me relieve stress by writing about it here, but I don’t want you to think that’s all that I am about. I am actually very, very happy right now.
And I hope that all of you can find an activity that makes you happy, whether it is exercise or not! Something you really enjoy and make the time to do – something that you can just “get in the zone” of it and clear your mind a bit.
Themocracy
It’s cool you’ve gotten to that point. I still hope to get there some day. Yet, the idea of running and talking… woah. That seems odd. I’ve never really done that.
I’m glad that running is helping you through stressful periods. Here’s to many more awesome miles!
I know you well enough to know by now you are not a bragger. I don’t think your running posts are annoying. I think you are one of the luckiest people in the WORLD to have found an exercise that you actually enjoy! LUCKY! I hate to exercise, I hate to sweat, I am lazy. Lazy when it comes to exercise but maybe I can find something that I like? That would be so cool! You rock!
I have no desire to run, but I know it stems from the fact that when I weighed 118 pounds, I wore a DDD bra. Now–well, you get the point. (I don’t want black eyes.)
I don’t get sick of your running posts at all! I love to read about it. It’s who you are. =)
I haven’t got an impression of too much stress, either.
Your day yesterday sounds lovely! I hope that it repeats today for you!
I absolutely love this post 🙂 It gives me hope that one day, once I get my weight down a bit (ok a LOT) more, that I too can be a runner.
I am glad that you had such a fantastic night!!!!
Incredible to have found this joy in running. Good for you. It sounds like it is really working for you and helping big time with the stress.
I am glad that you have found running to be such a stress reliever. The benefits you get from running seem to be endless.
Glad things seem to be getting better!
Great post!! I agree with so much – I am starting to finally efel like a runner after telling myself my entire life I wouldn’t be one. And
“I just wanted to share this, because I have been portraying a lot of stress here lately. And I am stressed, but aren’t we all? I don’t want to portray myself as an unhappy person – just your normal, “stressed out from time to time and trying to figure themselves out” type of person. It helps me relieve stress by writing about it here, but I don’t want you to think that’s all that I am about. I am actually very, very happy right now.”
That describes me to a T right now! I am stressed but to me it never correlates with happiness.
great post! Thanks for sharing 😉
Oh, it’s no mistake, your body was created to move and running is like a treat for the body. Watch little kids and any time they run, they always have a smile on their face or are laughing. That’s because your body really does want – need – to run. How else can you explain how magnificant the body is in its creation, to be able to carry us so many miles with relative ease? It was created to run.
I didn’t fully read the other comments but please don’t ever feel bad about writing about your running. I love those stories. It give me hope that maybe one day I’ll get back to it soon.
I’m so glad you have running to make you happy! I know I grouse about how hard running is for me so I hope I don’t contribute to you feeling self-conscious about talking about running. My own issues don’t make me any less excited for you!
Also, I forgot to mention at lunch that I am very seriously considering getting rollerblades for the summer–especially since E. will be a short hop from the beach in his new place! I am going to spend my “special Memorial Day Diane weekend” going shopping for them. 🙂 Hopefully that will be my new fun hobby, provided I don’t end up with any broken bones! Ha!
Interesting, because I want to be a runner, but I’m pretty sure my body doesn’t want that. Too bad, really
It’s awesome that you’ve found something you love to do so much! It’s just an added bonus that it happens to be incredibly healthy for you, too!
My wasband used to run so I am used to the running talk. He loved running and I know how happy it made him. This is your blog and it’s good for you to write about whatever makes you happy. Plus I think that anyone who can run 5 miles is awesome. Now that I have my new knee I’ll be able to get my other knee done this winter and if I can lose more weight and relieve some of the pressure in my back I hope to start walking. Who knows what that could lead to.
Keep on doing the things that help you feel good.
While I am 110% sure I will never say I was born to be a runner, I know that feeling of clicking with an exercise and feeling like you WANT/NEED to do it. It’s awesome! I’m so glad this happened for you. 🙂
Sounds like a great run with an impromtu running partner on a lovely day…nothing could be better! 🙂
i think it’s awesome that running helps you “get away” for a little bit!!! and i don’t ever get tired of your running posts either!!! i really enjoy them!!! that’s awesome that you and Steven got some “sit down” time together!!! hopefully it will happen more often!!!! keep on posting what you want, i love it!!!!
=^..^=
I call running and swimming, my “thinking time”. I feel so good and centered that it is when I work out all my problems (or at least try to!) I’m glad you are feeling great about running too! And I never get tired of reading/hearing about it.
that’s pretty darn amazing. i never had an activity where I got into the zone. the closest that i have achieved to getting in the zone is not hating the gym as much, haha. do you get in the zone right away, or does it take a mile or two to hit that?
kapgar – I think you WILL get there some day! And this is something I have read a lot – when you are running, you should be able to talk, but not easily. They say that is a good indicator that you are exercising hard, but not too hard. Hmm.
Mica – Yay! I will drink to that. (water, that is!)
JQ – Thanks for being supportive. I think you could find something that you like – there are so many wonderful options out there! You seem like someone who could really get into yoga or pilates. Or boxing. LOL! Two extremes!
Jo – I did have to buy special bras for running longer miles 😉 I am happy you haven’t thought I am too stressed! I feel like it is just oozing out of me sometimes! And Tuesday WAS just as awesome, but by body felt a bit fatigued so I took it easier tonight.
Scale Warfare – Thanks! 🙂 You CAN be a runner! And you don’t have to wait until you get your weight down. When I started running I was WELL over 200 pounds!
Beth – It is helping. And it feels so good to have found something that helps. Because I felt helpless for a while.
Tony – The benefits do seem to endless! Which is funny, because so many people think to only think of the negative things about running.
Run Sarah – I am happy you understand what I mean about being stressed does not mean I am unhappy! And also happy that you feel like a runner. It is a great feeling!
Shannon (The Daily Balance) – Thanks for reading and stopping by!
Carol – I definitely agree with you. Some people do have limitations though. That is why I am trying to enjoy it so much – you cannot take the ability to run for granted!
Seals – Thank you. I hope you do get back to it. I would love to read about you running (even though you don’t blog anymore).
diane – I did feel a little bad, but knew you wouldn’t take it the wrong way. Does that make sense? Maybe 😉 I saw a guy rollerblading with his dog the other day, and it looked like he was having SO MUCH FUN! Just don’t forget a helmet 😉
Cheryl – That is too bad. I cannot imagine being limited by my body. I hope you can find something else to enjoy!
Bethany – I wish all of the habits I enjoyed this much were healthy! Ha ha!
joanharvest – Thanks for your support! I hope your new knees help relieve all of that pain so you can enjoy walking 🙂
sizzle – When I was writing this I thought about you and your swimming. Do you get the click there? 🙂
Amy – It was great! I hope it happens again.
CourtneyInControl – I think I will try to stick to that schedule so I can do my runs earlier and enjoy the time with Steven (and Data!). I end up feeling so much more relaxed.
tori – It IS a great time to think. That is when I can really think about my emotions and how I feel. And thanks for encouraging me 🙂
Gina (Mannyed) – Ha ha. Not hating the gym IS good! Sometimes I get there right away, and it escalates throughout the run, but sometimes it takes a while 😉
How did you get to that point? I want to start running.. and I would have a running partner, but I DIE! She goes every day and begs me to go…I feel bad because I bog her down. How did you condition or prepair and get to the point you are now?
Susan – Thanks for stopping by 🙂 It took me a long time to get to this point. I have been running since July of last year, and have had many ups and downs. When I started out, I could barely run for 5 minutes straight. I just had to keep going until my body got stronger! It may be hard now, but talk to your running partner about how you feel – she may not be upset! My neighbor likes to run at a slower pace than me, so we slow it down, and that is fine with me 🙂
Some of us never tire of your running posts. They are there to remind me that I need to kick start myself back into a workout routine.
martymankins – Aww, thanks 🙂 I am happy it is a reminder and not an annoyance 😉