Running is Helping to Define Me

We all change and evolve as life moves forward.  Our life experiences and expectations help shape us, whether it’s the direction we intended or not.  While many experiences, actions and people have influenced me, I’m surprised to realize how much running is helping to define me.

Running is an integral part of my life.  I would define it as a love/hate relationship, although mostly I do love it.  There are those times though when you’re running in the rain, snow, ice, sweltering heat, at 5 a.m., at 10 p.m., while feeling run down or have a million other things you could, or should, be doing.  As much as I might be cursing under my breath, I know there’s a bigger picture to think about.

I’m striving to maintain a healthy lifestyle and running is one method to achieving that.  I like competition and running is one method to feeding that need.  I enjoy having some alone time and running is one method of getting that.  I need an outlet to vent and running, maybe surprisingly to some, is one method to doing that.  Running is a great time to think through scenarios.  It doesn’t have to be something negative though; it’s also a great time to think through a new opportunity or replay something good that’s happened.

The value of my running time is truly immeasurable.  While I don’t even know how to begin to “thank” running (who do you call to do that? :) ), I’m starting to understand it’s impact is far beyond what I originally imagined.  I have a hard time even articulating what it does for me.

I know that it’s given me the opportunity to dream.  I like to “think big” sometimes when I’m running and I’ll let myself day dream about fanciful, far reaching ideas.  It’s nice because those ideas don’t seem as far away when you walk through it.  I guess running keeps new ideas rolling through my head.

I know that it’s given me the opportunity to belong to another community.  There’s an unspoken bond between those that run to live.  Not necessarily as a means to income, but as a means to survival – mentally, physically and emotionally.  I really appreciate those people who speak a kind word, either as they pass you or as you pass them.  It’s not about who is the fastest runner; it’s about actually being out there running while most of the world isn’t.

I know that it’s given me the opportunity to be okay with me.  It lets me cut myself some slack.  Everyone has their own struggles and challenges.  Sometimes we aren’t happy with our weight or our pace or our job or our neighbors or our hair or whatever else we spend our time thinking about.  Mostly, I get frustrated with me and all the things I think I could be doing better.  Running reminds me that I’m good enough exactly as I am right now.

There are so many other things running has either given or taught me.  These were just a few highlights of what I’ve come to realize running is doing for me.  Really, it’s helping shape me and I’m super thankful for it!  What helps define you?  Your passion for music? Your creativity in the kitchen? Your actions out on court/field/track?  Have you taken a moment to think about how all of your interests and activities help define you?

Miss FitGab