Running from Anxiety
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While I’ve always enjoyed working out, I haven’t always enjoyed running. I thought…I’m just not a runner. For some reason, I really didn’t like the way running made me feel. It seemed like running made me more out of breath than a Zumba class, a bootcamp, or 30 minutes on the elliptical. I enjoyed a challenging workout and the good sore that would come the next day. But running was just too hard! This has pretty much always been true. I would choose any type of exercise over running. So it’s pretty surprising that I now love to run. I actually rearrange my schedule to squeeze in a run at least twice a week if possible.
It all started back in January when I can only imagine I temporarily lost my mind and suggested to a few friends that we run the Nashville 1/2 marathon. They thought it was a great idea and when I came to my senses and didn’t want to actually follow through and train with them they persisted until I finally gave it a try. And a funny thing happened. I didn’t hate it. It took me awhile to build up my strength, starting with just a few miles at a time, and I never actually ran the 1/2 marathon. But I did max out at 9 miles, which I felt was a huge accomplishment for someone who “hated” running. And 10 months later I’m still running.
This was a great turning point for me, because I learned that running, for me, is one of the best ways to clear my head and relieve stress and anxiety. I can do it alone or with friends. It requires no equipment, no coordination, no thinking. You just go. I get to think with no interruptions, no screaming kids, no requests from the hubz, no to do list waiting, no cluttered floor distracting me and no dishes in the sink calling my name. It’s just me and my thoughts or my music. I run, I sweat, I work and when I finish I can actually breath better than when I started. I’m so glad I gave running a second try.
I’m not sure why I’m sharing this now. Maybe it’s just to say we grow and we change. And sometimes things we don’t like are exactly what we need.
