Thursday, March 27, 2014

I'm a Runner... What's your problem?

Running makes me happy. When crap (for lack of a better word) is piled up in my head, running breaks it up and sets my priorities straight. Stress and worry disappear as the sweat beads across my forehead and drips off my elbows.

Running makes me appreciative. I thank God every single time I run for the ability to breathe hard and put one foot in front of the other. There will come a day that I won't be able to do this... I'm thankful today is not that day.

Running helps me to dream. It teaches me that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. My parents taught me that I could be President someday, but MARATHONER (times five) was never even a thought! As my feet grace across the pavement, future hopes and plans unfold in my head like a blueprint. Often I return home with big ideas that never materialize, but I keep dreaming anyway.

Running makes me strong. Physically, my body is stronger than six years ago - when a flight of steps left me panting for air. I've lost a bunch of weight since lacing up the running shoes. My daily runs help me to keep my weight in check, despite my love for food and beer. But even more important, running gives me mental strength I never thought was in me. I feel like I can conquer anything... if I take it one step at a time.

Running is important in my life. Can you tell?

So when I read these pretentious attacks about running, it quite frankly pisses me off.  Several people sent me links to articles this week... Running hurts your knees. Running has no purpose. Runners wear silly clothes. Marathons make you fat. Running is waste of time. Running tears down your muscles... blah, blah, blah. There are some interesting reads. Other times, it's just a writer looking to stir up a reaction and get pageviews.  I too wrote college research papers and am fully aware that you can find a research study out there to support any claim you want to promote. Been there; done that.

So here's my answer to all those articles who'd like to talk negatively about running... You clearly don't understand the euphoria that a simple run can bring. Truly, I'm sorry for that. I would love for everyone to catch a runner's high once a day. It would be a better world, for that I am certain.  So here's an idea... stop pretending you know what running is about and save those judgements and ridicules for yourself. (Yes, running with a tutu just might make us faster... or at least happier. So what's it to you?) 


I realize that running is not everyone's passion... maybe you like weight lifting, zumba, gardening, or a combination of it all. Whatever your interest is, DO IT and enjoy it with every fiber of your being. But stop the debate of which activity is better. Whatever activity excites you on the inside and keeps you active is the BEST... for you. Let it be at that. In fact, you should be happy when your neighbor finds an activity that makes them a better person - even if it's running. Who knows, they may be the person that "runs for help" someday when you need it...


10 comments:

  1. OMG! I read your blog here and the other articles out there too...I CrossFit, Run, Cycle, Dreadmill, Machine, and Plyo...am I crazy, NO healthy!! I too love food, it is one of my crazy obsessions. I do not ridicule anyone for their crazy lives, in what they do or do not do when off the sofa. My care is that we GET OFF THE SOFA daily!!!!!

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  2. Amen Sister!! Do what you love and stop focusing on what everyone else is doing. I love weightlifting and running too, it really bugs me when people tell me I have to pick one because weightlifting will do nothing for me if I'm running. Blah, blah, blah I say!!! I run because I love to, sure it doesn't help me personally lose weight like I notice with weight lifting but weight lifting doesn't bring the joy that running out in the middle of the woods does (for me). And for the life of me I can't figure out why anyone would care what anyone else is wearing while they are running. I love wearing skirts to run and hate the "you're not a real runner if you wear skirts" comments, or matching your outfits with your shoes is tacky...it makes me happy!!!

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  3. "Live and let live." Good topic, Jess.

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  4. Jess I have weight lifters/body builders always telling me to stop running and frankly it pisses me off. I dont tell them to stop doing their sport so why do they keep telling me to stop doing my passion?

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  5. I say that we should celebrate and cheer woman on as they make smart healthy decisions to do something for themselves, something great for their health. I don't understand why women would ever tease each other about what they run in and I sure as HE$& don't understand why a magazine that is supposed to empower women and fitness would ever mock or tease a female runner.
    Embrace, love, cheer... that is what we should all do for each other!

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  6. You know what else is bad for your knees? Being overweight.

    The haters are just jealous of my awesome running body! And the fact that I will probably live way longer than them. :-)

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  7. It will never end. People will always have something to say about our sport. I just ignore them.
    :-)

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  8. Amen! So true, love this post! Runner's are the most supportive people I have ever met. I just wish non-runners would understand.

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