Sometimes I am asked what it is about running that I love so much. I always pause, taken aback by the question, as if I am being asked why I love my husband, my family, my friends, or my cat.
I just do.
But after probing more into my instinctual and immediate response, I start to realize that there are many reasons why I love to run. The answer I give you will depend on the day, the distance, the time, my mood, my body, my sleep, and various other factors.
Today the reason I ran was for mental health.
I knew that today’s run would serve the purpose of boosting my mental health and centering me. Today I just craved a run like nothing else.
Recently, Caitlin had a wonderful discussion on the topic of ‘What are you running towards?’. In my answer to her question, I said:
I’m running towards inner peace. I’d like to think I get there a bit more with each run.
Inner peace is one of the goals I strive for each and every day. It is not always through running that I try to get there; sometimes it is through writing, baking, reading, meditating, cracking jokes, walking, or being with my loved ones. The desire for inner peace was one of the main reasons why I ended up leaving an unfulfilling career and branching out on my own.
I think inner peace is a lovely goal. And running helps me get there.
I have also been asked by frustrated readers how they can learn to enjoy running. Sometimes the answer I give seems a bit odd:
“Have you cried on a run yet?”
“What? No!”
“Then keep running.”
“Have you gotten a shiver through your entire body on a run yet?”
“From the cold, you mean?”
“Keep running.”
I remember the day that hooked me on running. It was during my first 10k race in June 2009. I had been running on and off since August 2008, but I never understood why anyone could enjoy 30 minutes of breathless agony. What kind of strange people were they, I would wonder.
This 10k course was a brutal one, filled with menacing hills around every bend or turn. I laugh about it now, but at the time I was running on steam.
Here is a quote from my race recap #3 (the rest can be found on my race page):
6km-7km: It was hot, but I was truly loving every minute of the race. Each time someone passed me, it motivated me to dig deep within myself and find an extra ounce or two of strength. I thought a lot about Chris during these 2 kilometers and I found myself getting quite emotional in the moment. I teared up at one point as I was so overcome with emotion. I think it had been building for so long now. All of the emotions from my injury were finally being let go. The 2 months when I couldn’t even do yoga let alone cardio exercise affected me more than I realized. I felt free, and yes, while I was panting, and grunting, and feeling sometimes like I was going to die going up a hill, in some odd way I felt so alive. I thought about what Chris must have gone through with his cancer and coming to grips with the fact that he wasn’t going to make it to his thirties. Suddenly everything I was feeling sort of went numb. A tear dropped off my face and I didn’t feel any tiredness anymore. I didn’t curse the hills, I didn’t worry about my time, heart rate, or pace…and I am not sure if the music was on or off.
I just ran.
And this is why I love to run.
The ability to take your emotional junk and leave it on the pavement is something I have not found in anything else but through running. For some it is yoga or walking or skydiving, but for me it is running.
Today’s long run wasn’t really about improving my physical endurance or training for a half marathon. I mean, of course it was to an extent, but really, all I wanted to do was clear my mind and reclaim my inner peace.
It worked.
[But perhaps, not without Kath’s Sweet, sweet nectar recipe too. Two thumbs up for homemade sports drinks!]
How do you find your inner peace?
I’ve cried on a run – it’s very touching.
YAY for sweet nectar!
What a great post. There’s a magic in running; I think that you have to do it consistently for a few months to really get to that magic spot and then it becomes something you HAVE to do. I mean that in a healthy way….like breathing or eating or sleeping it becomes part of you. I go out every morning at 5 before my husband goes to work….it energizes me, wakes me up, relaxes me, reduces anxiety, gives me more patience for my children and overall makes me a better person, mother, wife. I think in a way, like dreams, it helps you process your emotions. On top of all THAT, you also get a killer metabolism and great legs!
I’m pretty sure I’m going to cry crossing the finish line for Hood to Coast next week!
Beautiful wonderful Post!!
For me finding inner peace involves a lot of different methods. Sometimes running isn’t always an option because I don’t have enough time or enough motivation or it’s raining? All of my “tricks of the trade include: running (best used when I’m angry and have a lot of antsy energy), yoga (best used when I’m stressed or tense or to reclaim some energy for the day), weightlifting (also good for when i’m angry or need an extra boost of confidence), meditation and prayer (best for when I just need some time to vent to God and seek his guidance). Normally I can always find some way to work one of these into my schedule as I need them. It’s not to say every time I do one of these, I must be having a bad day or something, but I find I am also much better able to handle my emotions, PMS, bad days when I’ve made these activities a part of my routine:) And I TOTALLY understand what you mean about running being an emotional catharsis. I certainly feel like it could be a form of therapeutic intervention.
I call running ‘chasing demons’! If there is something difficult occurring in my life, there will definitely be insight gained or the problem will be solved by the end of the run! It is also during my runs where I dream bug dreams:)
Oops! Darn auto correct! Big dreams…not bug dreams!!
It’s probably cliche and over-used, but even so, I find my inner peace through blogging. I started my blog about three months ago. It was the time I had just finished up my Master’s and was at a stale point in my career – there were no jobs in my field to be found. I felt hopeless and unfulfilled. My current job isn’t bad, but still left with a void, which I found through blogging. And not just my blog, reading inspiring blogs like yours and becoming apart of a community of others who think and feel similar to me – that’s where I find my inner peace.
Such a great post. I’m not a great runner…I’m not fast, no super long distances…but I love the experience of it. I lost my mom to brain cancer 5 years ago, and recently ran a race benefitting a cause related to that. I felt fine at first, but half a mile in I burst into tears. I kept on, ugly-cry-face and all, and felt so great afterwards. I wish everyone could experience that in their runs!
This post makes me so happy! Seriously, I’m going to bed early tonight so I can get up and run run run like the wind. :) I’m so thankful I was able to meet you last weekend– you’re definitely one of my greatest role models!!!!
I was just talking to a girlfriend today about how when I had to give up running (long distances…because of my back injury), I felt like I lost my best life-coping mechanism. Sure, there are other positive outlets (like cooking, blogging, writing, etc.), but nothing compares to that heart pounding, sweating RELEASE of a run.
I’ve known people who seems to have all the materials and wealth they need for a lifetime and when asked on their birthdays what they wish for, they say they wish for “inner peace”. That’s something nobody else can give you, it has to come from within.
That’s a really good goal to have Angela. I’m glad you found a path towards that goal thru running. I’m sort of in the same journey :)
What a beautiful post! I feel exactly the same way! Often I tell people I don’t know why I love running (I used to hate it), but it’s those emotional releases and moments of pure inner peace that make it something I love. I had a run like this yesterday when all of the sudden “It’s a Beautiful Day” came on my Ipod and the sun was sparkling on the waves and I was filled with so much gratitude and happiness. THAT is why I run. Because sometimes running opens you up to the raw truth…love. :)
I’m still working on my inner peace :)
But, I have to tell you that I love this post. I have too often burst into tears while running. I get so full of emotion it is absolutely overwhelming.
I feel so ALIVE when I run — my blood is pumping, my breath is quick, my heart beats, my feet hit the ground, everything about it just screams LIFE to me, which is a great feelings
I find my inner peace by getting out into nature, whether it be on a run, a hike, sitting on a dock by a lake, or just strolling through my garden. :)
Yoga is definitely my quest for inner peace, but I love hearing about peoples relationship with the pavement. Its amazing that were all searching for the same things just on different paths!
I absolutely loved reading this post.
Right now I’m training for my first ever 10km so it was awesome hearing about your first ever 10km! Some days when i’m running I feel exhausted and have to take it one minute at the time but in the end I always finish my run knowing I’ve done the best I can and am overwhelmed at how proud of myself I feel. I have never got such a strong feeling from any other type of workout. I also feel that if I’m having a really negative/down day and I run… at some point in the run I feel everything go quiet. Running calms me, it makes my mind go quiet. Some days, it takes 15 minutes, other days 2 minutes. I feel like I’ve been bitten by the running bug and I don’t see myself hanging up my running shoes once I complete my first race.
Thanks again for this post :)
I’m jealous. I really wish i felt that way about running! I was even on the cross country team in middle school – I really gave it a go but I never could enjoy it.
I’ve thought before that people who like running enjoy getting in the zone and therein lies my problem – I have no ability to zone out. I cannot zone.
I would say I get my inner peace from studying languages. I become totally focused on it, I work out my brain muscle, and then I feel better!
Well said, Angela. I find peace through running. It serves as a release for my emotions. I also love the joy I get from running with others. The embrace of the running community is so warm and welcoming. I’m glad you enjoyed your long run today.
Awesome post!! I’m a huge fan of running myself (when I’m not injured), but honestly, I find I’m the most at peace with myself snuggled up with a good book :)