It Allows Me to Get Away
Definitely one of the most important things. Running helps me to clear my head when I really need to. If I’ve had a bad day or I’m just feeling anxious or worried about something, running is the perfect distraction. It nearly always makes me feel better afterwards. I used to take this out at the gym and I know that lifting weights also helps me, but I discovered the fresh air outside – whether rainy or sunny – helped me so much more.
So yeah, sometimes alone time is needed and running gives me that time. It’s also where I get most of my podcast listening done so there’s that too – long runs are perfect for this!
Explore New Places
I’ve been to a few new places just to run, and it always makes for an interesting experience. Especially if you’re not totally familiar with the trails and end up discovering a new path. But I love that. I love being able to just run and see different things, different places.
It’s something I love to do whilst travelling. You just really get a good feel for the area when running on holiday and it takes half the time to explore somewhere. I’ve now started to do races abroad (Disneyland & Cyprus plus one in Dublin in August!) and that’s definitely a different way to explore somewhere. There are so many I would love to try.
Discover Things in ‘Old’ Places
Exploring doesn’t necessarily have to be somewhere new either. There are so many random paths and trails that I’ve discovered in my local area, and I wouldn’t have if I didn’t run. Trails I look at on maps, and then just go run to see what’s there and where I end up. Obviously, I’m always within a safe distance or where I need to be because I’m also a worrier, but I’ve done so many kilometres around my local area that I tend to know how far away from home I am anyway. It’s a runner’s gift.
But still, google maps, the OS maps and mapOmeter are all life savers. I use the last one almost every run just to make sure I’m definitely right in the distance planning. Perfect for when you’re in a new place.
The Achievements
I like knowing that I’m improving. Seeing the results. Feeling the difference when doing speed work on a good day, and getting further and further on the longer runs. I’ve learnt a lot about running and myself since I started with coach training a year ago.
Achievements covers a lot of things. It’s not about winning, because I’m certainly not winning any races, and it’s not always about constantly getting that PB each time either because that doesn’t always happen. For me, it’s just knowing the difference it makes. I’ve managed to run consistently for months, getting myself outside in all kinds of weather when I simply just cannot be bothered.
Because that one does happen.
9 times out of 10 I am just being lazy, and I nearly always feel better for doing it. It’s knowing when I do need to take a break, being able to listen to my body. Sometimes I am just physically too tired, and it’s okay to miss a workout or two to recover.
It’s being able to get those hard work outs in each week, but also being able to complete a nice and easy slow paced run just to keep that mileage up.
So yeah, when I think of achievements, it’s more so the effect and changes running has made in my life overall.
And Okay, The Fitness
One of the main reasons people start running right? This is the exact reason I started all those years ago, when I downloaded the Couch to 5K App. I didn’t think much further than oh, running will surely keep me fit and help me lose some fat right?
And it works, it keeps me fit and healthy. What I didn’t anticipate was the effect it has on me mentally and not just physically. Like I’ve taken months off running before, and I kept fit through other means, but in my head I just really missed it.
So that’s that. That’s why I love running, and can’t see myself stopping any time soon.
