How running made me better
This is not my usual topic on here BUT I find that a lot of folks get interested in how I can run so often and why I get excited about running. It’s tough right? All that intense cardio?
So I wanted to share this with yall, in case anyone could benefit
it's not just the health benefits of managing your weight, the extra energy, reduced anxiety, and improved scores on bloodwork. and it's not just for the thin or muscular either. If you know me, you know I am solid and curvy. Running is not beyond the reach of your body, I promise.
Running has Healing and Building powers that go beyond what you might think.
Here's what I mean...
HEALING
Ever since I was a child, when life got uncomfortable or too demanding, I released the tension by running. With every extra quarter mile I covered, the more at ease my spirit felt and the better I was at returning to the tasks at hand - whatever life needed me to take care of at that time.
With every ounce of sweat, it's like tension flows away, anger leaves, emotional pain is alleviated. This is the therapeutic side of running. It may seem crazy but if you just start, even with a half mile, you'll feel what I'm talking about and maybe you'll start to want more.
More than anything... it's the BUILDING
Running is one of the surest ways to Build some of the greatest strengths and fortitude - endurance, commitment, resilience in the face of that looming "wall" every runner experiences - and the reward of the high that follows once you get through that wall.
You find yourself more deeply when you run.
You test out the limits of your mind. Can you think your way through the desire to stop?
See our bodies and mind evolved to do "just enough" to survive. That's how far evolution got us. So when the body detects it is using more energy than necessary, it says "hey, you trying to kill us or something?"
and next thing you know you feel fatigued and the energy pulls downward.
Not because you're actually tired. Your body is actually perfectly capable of running more. It's the most amazing mental exercise to take control of your mind in that moment and say, "I've got the energy. I have the power to continue" and then feel the energy and vibrance return like magic.
Running is one of the fastest methods of building GRIT.
(click HERE for a great discussion on "grit")
Runners have some of the most resilient minds because of that.
So I know it may seem like something you hope to avoid... but I assure you... there's no greater method of developing a more resilient mindset than running.
What is the Power of Choice and what if you do not want to run?
So if you do not want to run - what can you do to get some of the same benefits? Choosing to commit to an action and enduring beyond the desire to stop.
Choosing to focus on a simple goal each day and when your mind says “But I don’t really “have to”- push through and still do it!
This could be doing a 10 minute yoga flow, sweeping everyday, washing your car, doing 50 pushups, etc.
The Power of Choices is in training your mind to complete a task. More specifically training your mind to complete a task that is beneficial BUT that you don’t really “want” to do.
See the power of our choice is one of the most neglected powers we have.
Why? Because we don’t really sharpen it like we could. Are you like a lot of folks- and you say “I want this thing to be better” or “I want this thing to be different.” but then you don’t make a plan of action? Do you maybe create a “plan” but then not actually complete the steps?
Be honest. It is because you have grown comfortable with Complacency.
Ouch.
But that’s a necessary admission of guilt if you are ever going to take your power back! You can train yourself to be the person you want to be. You can train yourself to be the person who loves the plan, who sees those steps as a glorious path to greater joy, who faces the inevitable challenges and Endures!
So yea - that power of choice is right there waiting for you.
Ase!
BONUS INFO
Did you know that walking for 5 hours a week or running for 2.5 hours a week has been scientifically proven to extend your number of healthy years by at least 10 years?
This small amount of time you put in pays off with BIG numbers for Life.
(source: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/30/this-is-how-much-you-should-exercise-to-achieve-the-maximum-benefit.html )