Runner's high

You know the sound a record player makes when you first put on the record and the music hasn’t started yet? It is a fuzzy type of sound. That is how I describe what happens in my head when I run. People have told me that when they run, they solve problems or come up with new ideas. Not me. When I run my brain almost shuts off. I typically remember moments of my run, like a tree in the woods, when a specific song came on, or when I felt like I got my second wind, things like that. But as far as thoughts – cohesive world problem-solving thoughts – nope not one, not ever.

I run because… well I run for many reasons. For me, it's about the peace and calm it brings me after the run. I don’t always enjoy the actual running part. I always tell people starting is hard, when I started, I was not a good runner. I was slow (really slow), I had asthma, and I was 40lbs overweight. Typically, when I tell people I like to run I get two responses. Either, “I hate running, I would only run if something is chasing me” or I get the “I wish I was a runner”. The best part is anyone can run, you just need to do it.

I ran in High School but stopped running for many years until my third daughter was born. When I decided I wanted to start running again I had some back pain still from my pregnancy. I went to Drs, chiropractors, and physical therapists and when they all asked me what I wanted to do I said I just want to run again. Every single one of them told me I shouldn’t because my back was so bad that it wouldn’t be a good idea. Finally, about a year later, feeling defeated I found a Physical Therapist that specializes in pelvic floor muscles. I didn’t even know that was a thing, but I was out of options, so I made an appointment. I wasn’t expecting much but when I told her I just want to run again, she said ok let’s do it! I was so relieved I cried right there in her office and if you know anything about me you know I don’t cry. Turns out I had a twisted pelvis (still think it’s a great name for a band) and she was able to fix me.

After years of training and running races, I have to say I am still slow, I still have asthma and I am still a little overweight. But it has become my release. I figured out early on my kids couldn’t keep up with me. The first time I went out alone and no one was following me screaming mom, mom, mom I knew I found it, my thing. Now I run to my kid’s softball games, I run when my daughter has soccer practice, I find times to work it in around everything that goes on. When I don’t run for a couple of days, I crave it, I start plotting and re-arranging things so I can make it happen. When I drive down a long twisty road, I often think to myself that would be fun to run - I know my husband thinks I have lost my mind too. The feeling of peace I get after a run; I can’t compare it to anything else. I feel a mixture of relief, pride, blessed, and elated. I don’t run to lose weight or for health reasons although it’s a nice side effect. It’s a solo sport, no one can do it for you. You must put in the effort and training and miles to get the results. I feel proud when I finish a hard trail run or a Marathon and I get my metal and think I just did that, me, no one else. Those are the moments I celebrate. I also feel blessed that I can get up and go for an 11-mile run on Saturday morning if I want. I often think about those who are sick, injured, or are just unable for whatever reason. The fact that I can keeps me going, I never want there to be a time where I can’t again.

I’ll leave you “want to” runners with this secret. No one cares what your pace is or if you had to stop and walk a lot. No one cares what you look like when your running or what you’re wearing. No one cares how much your butt is jiggling, or that your boobs are bouncing. You’re the only one that cares. If you can get over that, you can run whenever and wherever you want. When I see someone out there running all I ever think is "good for you"!

“A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today”. – Karen Lamb