Running

I think there is some belief that running is easy for some people… Let’s just say that if that’s true, than I’m definitely not one of them! Running is darn hard and it kinda makes me feel like I might die sometimes. But I keep running because it becomes addicting!! It’s the healthiest addiction out there. I wasn’t always a runner though.

I grew up being really active. I played multiple sports including basketball and track once I entered high school.

In track I was always a sprinter so the whole concept of distance running was like putting pickles on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It was just weird! I couldn’t quite figure out why someone would want, like volunteer, to go out and run mile(s). Who does that?! 8 times around the track… psh! I’ll do the straightaway and be done, thanks.

After high school and before college I started running on my grandparent’s treadmill every morning, and before I knew it I was running 3-4 miles every day.

I took a running hiatus after I started college. I played basketball for two years in that time but after basketball ended I really needed a workout that was as physically tough as my missed practices. So I turned to the hardest workout I knew –running. 

I’ve had a lot of road blocks in my attempts to become a runner. I had to have an ankle reconstruction the first time I tried to train for a half marathon. An old basketball injury was not going to allow for any more that 4 miles of chewed up pavement. And the second time I tried I found out I was severely allergic to dairy and sensitive to gluten. Which was causing major stomach issues after running. Finally after a few years I’m getting my groove back.

I’m not a pro runner. In fact I run pretty slow. Maybe I should have titled this page Jogging? None of that really matters because I just like running. I like how I feel after a run, knowing I pushed myself to get to the end. I couldn’t ask for a cheaper way to get tan for summer and I always feel like I fit in because runners are kinda quirky. Basically running makes me feel like an athlete again. Training for races keeps me motivated to push to new distances and faster mile times. Running kind of keeps me sane. Who doesn’t like shopping for new running shoes?! Pah-leeze!!

If you don’t actually enjoy running I’d never recommend it. It’s 9 ways of hard. Maybe that’s why runners are kinda nutzo, they all secretly love pain!! Running is my brand of therapy… what’s yours?