I went running this morning, 3 miles. It’s still too icy by me to run outside, even though we are being teased with above-normal temperatures for a couple of days, so this run was a treadmill run. But that’s ok, it was still a run. And maybe Sunday, I’ll be able to meet with the road.
I haven’t been running as much as I should in the past month or so. I haven’t been running as much as I’d like. But I’m getting back. And maybe a break or a change isn’t always such a bad thing. I’ve also added strength/core training to my workouts, I’ve played on the elliptical, and I get an occasional swim and bike in (also not as much as I should have been but that all changes now with race season starting again soon).
I say that the change/break isn’t such a bad thing because this morning when I was running, or maybe it was after I’d finished, I realized something. I really love running. Or at least I love the way I feel when I finish a run. I am a slow runner. And I’m a shorter-distance runner right now although I have some lofty goals for 2010.
I have found over this past year that I love the way I feel after exercise. I love the way I feel during exercise. It relieves stress, let’s me drift from reality and just, in general, makes me feel good about myself.
But running. Running gives me even more. Maybe it’s because I was never a runner. This is all new to me. Maybe it’s because it took me a long time to have any confidence in my ability. Maybe it’s because when I run, I have to concentrate on running and more or less push anything other than my music out of my head for a while. Maybe the endorphin rush is better.
I may not know why (although I’m sure all of the above reasons play into the mix), but I do know that running gives me a tremendous sense of accomplishment. Running makes me feel strong. Running really makes me sweat. And it also makes me feel like all the muscles in my body are working in perfect sync.
When I get off the treadmill, or come in from a road run, I may be wiped, especially if I’m pushing myself, but I also feel like jumping up and down like a little kid because I’ve finished another run. And that is something that a year ago, I never thought was something I would be saying.
Running is joy. Pure and simple. And I’m looking forward to doing a lot more of it.
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Love this post! I love exercise, but running is just different. Your head is in a different place, your whole body is moving in this rhythm…it’s SO good! I think maybe it’s even better for the “non runners” too, because we’re somehow always surprised at the end that we even managed to do it!
Everyone is loving the run right now, I wish I had some of that run love
I feel the same way. I would have never thought I would have liked doing this!
Diane,
If you were to outline the perfect weekly routine of exercise…what would it be? I love to workout…and I just joined a gym called Urban Active…I use to belong to the YMCA but decided Urban Active had more to offer. Anyway, I am thinking about switching up my routine a little…just would like to compare others thoughts. Anyone else reading this feel free to give me your ideas as well…OR maybe Diane should blog about this and let everyone comment with their perfect weekly routine.
Jeannie
I could have written this post, I feel the same way.
I haven’t run as much as I wanted to from December till now mostly due to the weather and I hate the treadmill. If I can’t run outside, then I don’t run: simple as that. But weather is better so I’m looking forward to running more. Signed in for 5 races this afternoon so I have to get back in training
Ohh running, I remember how hard it was and now I find that even 8 years after starting I am still amazed when my body lets me push it through a run! Great post
I used to run. I miss it so much. My head would just go into this creative space that when I came home, I would sit for hours at the desk scribbling out my ideas and sketches. It just worked for me.
This is exactly how I felt last night. I finished a 5 mile run on the treadmill and felt great doing it. When I tend to get away from running for a while, it always feels great to come back to it.
New to your page, glad to have found it! I absolutely love running too. There’s something wonderful about it you can’t quite put your finger on, but nothing beats it! Keep up the great work!
There arent many blog / websites that deliver great content like this one and searching for them is become some what of a nightmare.