Running…A Healthy Addiction
By Genevieve Cullen, for Revive Your Life
Photo by Thomas Hawk
Let me first start out by saying that I am not writing this article as a doctor, a physician, or a cardiologist because I am none of those things. I am writing this article the only way I know how - as a runner.
Your day at work has just ended. You are exhausted, hungry, stressed, and possibly a little delirious from all the coffee you sucked down during the late afternoon push. Your internal battle begins:
“I will definitely go running tomorrow if I just take today off…then again I think I said that yesterday.”
“But I am so tired today that I might just fall asleep during the run!”
“I should go though, because I vaguely remember eating three donuts during that painfully boring meeting this morning.”
“On the other hand, I might not have enough energy to run today because I ate so early…”
Let’s face it. The last thing you want to do when you get home is lace up the old kicks and hit the road. Enthusiasm or not, the benefits of running should be enough to make you think, “How could I not go running today?”
Let’s sum up the physical benefits of running: It’s good for you.
Whether you are a runner or not, most people know that running is one of the fastest ways to burn calories and fat. If you don’t know, all you have to do is look at experienced long distance runners and compare your body to theirs. Depressing, I know. Runners burn about 100 calories per mile. This amount changes slightly depending on your weight and ability level. If you are an experienced runner, your body will be more efficient in its calorie burning and your body will burn fewer calories per mile. Regardless, being a runner has many physical benefits that you will eventually discover for yourself once you become one.
Becoming a runner is like joining a secret society where everyone understands each other. They have inside jokes and secrets, wear similar clothing, and share the same passion and desire for the open road. While everyone joins the secret society for a different reason, they all remain long time members for the same reason - addiction.
I use the word addiction because, for one, running is physically addicting. Endorphins are released within the brain and you become “addicted,” more or less, to this feeling. I also use the word addiction because, endorphins or not, running itself is an addiction. Running is you, your thoughts, and the terrain. It is finding a new trail, finding a new speed, or maybe even finding a new you. If you asked me if I would be running half-marathons ten years ago, I would have laughed at you and reminded you of my short stature and body shape that better resembles a sprinter rather than a long distance runner.
Despite these factors, I ran my first 10k as a way to lose some extra “holiday weight,” if you will. After the race, I was both elated and angry with myself. Why did I keep telling myself that I couldn’t run that far? What makes me different from any other runner on the road? After that realization, I joined the secret society.
For me, running gives me a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. It continually reassures me that I should never doubt myself or tell myself that I am not capable of achieving something. It is also my stress reliever, my energizer, my sense of inner peace and sanctity, my motivator, my alone time or my social time, my weight control, and my hobby. Running pushes me through my hard days, is my reward after my easy days, and is the one thing that always has benefits, regardless of how bad I hate it some days. Running is like going to the dentist - the benefits of going far outweigh the desire to skip your appointment.
So, the next time you are sitting in your car on the way home from work and the excuses begin, ask yourself, “What can running do for me today?”
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9 Responses to “Running…A Healthy Addiction”
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Nice article Genevieve. This might be the inspiration I need to get my butt into gear. Thanks!
Genevieve, very true to form about the dental health and physical health. Both actually go hand in hand. Thank you for your input.
Love,
Mom
This article definitely summarizes my love/hate relationship with running! It’s true though that whenever I force myself to get out there and run, I feel much better afterwards. Thanks for the motivation!
Great article, Genevieve! I’ll bet your thoughtful commentary will motivate a few procrastinators to experience the joy of running.
Excellent article! I am getting up from my computer right now to rejoin the secrret society for a few minutes. Thank you for inspiring my morning and reminding us all of our healthy “addictions.”
I recently “fell off the wagon…” but know that I need to get out there. Thanks, Genevieve. Your words are those I can relate to.
Thanks for re-framing my daily question from “Do I feel like running?” to “What can running do for me today?”. Coming at it from that angle, I’m guaranteed to forego the excuses and choose, instead, to hit the trail!
Reading this article was almost as inspiring as watching an episode of the biggest loser : )
So now, lets say “Go run…!!!”
I’m running in court near my home and spend +/- 30 minutes to run.
But too bad there is so many people sell food in the court, so when i finish my running, sometime i’m buy it, that’s mean my running is give me nothing.
So i advice to choose also the proper place to running.
About who you lazy to run, please force yourself. How about invite some friend to run together? It more interesting when there is a friend, right?
I don’t tell you to run thousand meter per day, but make routin schedule to do it. And believe or not, running will be your need everyday and then 1 day without running, there will be something strange.