Inhale, Run, and Breathe

I never expected to become an avid runner. When I was younger I dreaded the idea of running, complaining endlessly in gym class, and shrugging off the exercise as nothing. I could never stand the pacers test (a routine in gym class where you had to run and see how many levels you could achieve in the allotted time). Now, I have come to love running.

Running makes me feel good. I love it when sweat pours off my head as I focus on my breathing. I started running in my senior year of college as a way to lose weight. It really helped. It was a slow process, but gradually I got into it more, going to the gym two to three times a week and running for about an hour on the treadmill. Not only did I create a new and healthier me, but I also created a way to unwind after a stressful day.

Ever since the rise of Covid-19, therefore, shutting down the gyms, I started running outside more. For a while, I have remarked that I like running on a treadmill better as I felt that I had better focus on achieving goals. The truth is, I found out that there is more of an experience of running outdoors than staying inside watching videos on your phone to pass the time.

Right near where I live there is a beach. Almost every day I go for a run on the beach. Running is the best time for yourself. It’s a chance to gain confidence and achieve a new milestone each time. As I have been running more outside, it is a terrific opportunity to take a look at the growing world around you. You notice so many more things when you’re running outside.

For the past two years, running has helped me stay active. It makes me feel good. I am happy because I have achieved goals. I always go back in time wondering how my younger self would react if I ever told her that one day she’d enjoy running. In my mind, she’d roll around on the ground laughing.

My advice to those who want to start running is that you should start off slow. Time yourself. Run for about five minutes and then stop and walk. After some time if you feel more confident run for ten minutes and then slowly pick it up more. Eventually, I ran for twenty minutes straight without stopping!

Focus on your feet, pay attention to your breathing, and just keep running. I’d advise you to take a break when you need it because you can over-exert yourself. Pay attention to your speed as well. Going too fast only makes you trip up and nobody wants that. And drink water! I cannot stress that enough. Keeping yourself hydrated is most important in any given day.

Run and let all those emotions out as you run. Be patient. Running has become my thinking process if I have ever had a bad day. It’s a chance to meet new faces and give a wave to other joggers. As a freelance writer, running helps loosens my muscles after sitting around for most of the day.

Before you distastefully remark that you don’t like running, try it out. You never know what you like until actually trying something out. I am proud to say that I love running to anybody who asks.

I am so glad that I began running. In the last two years, I have become a healthier me, looking at the world differently. Now I actually wish that I could retake the pacers test to see how I would perform now than barely trying and stopping at the earliest of levels.

Inhale, run, and breathe.