For many years, if you asked me, I would say running was my anti-depressant. And it was (and still is to some extent) a big part of my mental health. But in so many ways, running has changed me AND its role in my life has changed over the years. Since our Tuesdays on the Run topic is “how has running changed me”, I’m going to chronicle my relationship with running through my 6 word running memoir.
2. Running to wear my skinny clothes.
Once I was out in the real world, I just wanted to stay in my small suits. I liked the way I looked and I ran purely to stay that way. I ran 30 minutes, 3 maybe 4 times a week. I have no idea how fast and never noticed distances. It was all about weight maintenance.
3.Running out of darkness into light.
4. Late to the party. As usual.I didn’t start running in races until Shoo was 18 months old. I had never run more than 4 miles at a time. A friend talked me into an 8K race. It was REALLY cold. I wasn’t sure I could finish it. I LOVED it and I was hooked. I can’t believe I missed the fun all those years! We are not going to discuss the 100+ races I’ve run since then.
5. Running as a way of life.
I began training to be a coach and share my love of running. My volunteer efforts all involved races. We went on many racecations. I helped start a run club at a favorite brewery. I ran miles and miles so I could run race after race. I even had a few times where I was paid to work races.
And now…
6. Running as a new career path.
OK, no, I’m not actually being paid to run. I’m not that fast or able to run long enough distances to be a sponsored athlete. Instead, I’m working on the race side now. I’ve been working with ZOOMA for coming up on a year and I’ve learned more and more and taken on more responsibilities. I’m also assisting (in the background) with another race series. I love the work I’m doing and it does not actually feel like working.
Running has changed my life in so many ways. It’s something I love for *me* and now it’s something I can share with others. (And I must love it – I got up at 5am on Saturday to run with friends before we headed to our favorite beer festival.) I don’t know where my job will go in the future, but whatever happens, I’m enjoying the ride!
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That’s a great progression and way to look at it. Amazing to come full circle with it saving your life & being your life. I love the prompts in this linkup
It sounds like running has been quite a journey for you! I ran for the same reasons in college. I definitely think that running can be so helpful in many different ways.
Running really does change our lives in so many ways — and usually not in the ways we think it’s going to.
I am so glad running helped you with you PPD it has definitely helped me manage my postpartum anxiety, as well as start to feel like myself after giving birth.
It seems like we followed similar paths. I was a sprinter in school – hated running anything farther than 400m. I started running longer distances when I was 30, but not competitively. I didn’t begin racing or getting involved in the running community until my youngest son graduated from high school, and I was somewhat adrift. Now, I can’t imagine my life without running!
I started running to beat anxiety and depression and now I’m running because I still can. Running has changed me in so many ways and all for the better. Where would I be without it?
The biggest way that running has changed my life is that it has connected me with so many other women that I never would have met. They have been such a force in my life that I will always be appreciative of. I have running to thank for them
I loved reading about your running history. How cool that your work can relate to your passion!
Every time I get a run in, I don’t feel as guilty having that glass of wine in the evening….haha.
Running really changes our lives. For me it has been my sane place. After a few traumatic life events I experienced, I remember putting my running shoes on in the middle of the night and going for a run. Through running I was able to find my sanity. It is good to know it helps others too.
Great post! I struggled with disordered eating and poor body image for a long time. It took me forever to realize that working out could actually be something that I enjoyed and not something I just did to punish myself for a slice of cake. We all start somewhere!
What a great tribute to running 😉 I had to laugh at your comment about getting up at 5:00 to run with friends….I can totally relate LOL
Running has helped me with combating postpartum depression as well. Although I started running before getting pregnant with my little man, its incredible how much lacing up your running shoes, getting outside for some fresh air, and enjoying a few minutes of “me” time can help during the incredibly difficult transition to motherhood.
Isn’t it amazing the impact running can have?!