A friend recently asked me why I want to run every day. And to my surprise, I didn’t really know what to say. I just, I mean, I like to run, it’s what I do. And I like doing it every day….I stuttered. Nonsensical as my response was, I think runners know how I feel (or anyone who has a hobby/obsession). I need to run every day because running every day makes me happy.
As I boarded the Metro to go to practice last night, this days-without-running cranky-pants-wearing person was me to the max. I was a little concerned - I almost turned back. Oh no, I thought, how am I going to go out to dinner with my teammates after the run? I don’t know if I can be around people right now…
To make this make sense, let’s start with the opposite – what happens when I don’t run?
Well, let me tell you, it’s not pretty. When I don’t run the pressure and the crankiness and the unhappy builds. Bad days are exponentially worse - a stressful day at work becomes an gah-what-am-I-doing-with-my-life??? anxiety-fest. And little things that shouldn't bother me make me upset - I trip walking home and it becomes I can't even walk! Worst. Day. Ever. It’s very sneaky, but it slowly creeps up on me until I’m cranky 95% of the time, I don’t want to interact with other people (or myself for that matter) and I cry over everything.
As I boarded the Metro to go to practice last night, this days-without-running cranky-pants-wearing person was me to the max. I was a little concerned - I almost turned back. Oh no, I thought, how am I going to go out to dinner with my teammates after the run? I don’t know if I can be around people right now…But then, magic happened. As my teammates began their track workout, I went off for a 30 minute run on my own (I’m trying to come back slowly - more on my new plan later). The run was unremarkable, but the change in my mood was intense. I started running and gradually all the stress and misery melted away until by the end I had a distant memory of my recent crankiness but it was totally gone. Just 30 minutes and I’m a real person again.
It's like a pressure gauge - I need to run to let off some steam. And if I run every day, that pressure doesn't build up nearly as much.
So it’s really not about the immediate post-run “runner’s high.” It’s about a lifestyle of runner’s happy.
Why do you like to run every day?
More posts on running happy:
Exactly. Ok, I'm more of a sporadic "runner," but exercise does wonders (hiking Mt. Tam gives me this high, as does swimming). You'e articulated the buildup of the anxiety fireball very well!
ReplyDeleteI love this post and couldn't agree more! It's ugly when I don't run (or do some similar workout). It keeps me sane, motivates me in areas beyond running, and generally brings a lot of fun to my life. Maybe one of these days we'll run together again?
ReplyDeleteI don't run every day (I typically run 3-5 times a week), but I completely agree with you about the stress relief and the natural mood elevation that regular running provides.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not alone - I was a little worried this post made me sound TOO crazy...
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm quite envious of anyone who can run everyday! That said, after knee surgery and coming back to running, I try to appreciate the activity that I can do!
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