I’m not a natural runner. Despite my long stride, running wasn’t something I automatically took to. My stamina is, I suspect, below the average 30 year old female’s. The first few times I ran, I was out of breath after just 5 minutes. What really helped me though, was the fact that I was running purely for enjoyment, and not under the demands of an instructor. I had no goal. I just started running.
Headspace
After my first couple of runs (more like slow jogs) something strange started to happen. When I arrived home, despite being sore and weary, I was on a high. I had experienced this feeling before following heavy personal training sessions but the difference was that the feeling stayed with me longer. I worked my body so hard that the initial post-training high would quickly dissipate and my body would crash.
I felt this buzz after every single run, no matter how long or short so I then started using running as a way to clear my head.
Running has become my meditation. Before, if I felt tired, depressed or cranky, I would pull the duvet up over my head but that was before I realised that running was a far better antidote. Now if I’m in bad form, a run is guaranteed to improve my mood.
I completed a course in mindfulness and while it did open my eyes to the use of techniques to focus on the present, I didn’t have the patience for it and decided it just wasn’t for me.
On my own time
With running, I don’t have to book an appointment in the gym, rush there and hand over a considerable amount of money for the use of their facilities. I can run whenever and wherever I want. Now, I’m aware that as I prepare for a marathon, I do have to follow a programme but most recreational runners don’t need that big goal to run, it’s ok just to run at varying distances and speed, because it just feels good. By and large, running is a solitary sport, which, for me, is ok. I know of people who get great enjoyment out of running clubs and running with a buddy but it just doesn’t work for me.
Simplicity
The only piece of equipment you need in order to run is a pair of decent runners, nothing else. You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy fitness gear, apps to track your performance or kinesio tape. That being said, I am a complete gadget freak and have wasted money on all of the above…
Nature
I always admired those outdoorsy, adventure-types who would go hiking and kayaking at the weekend. That was, however never my priority (I was more often than not too hungover). Our periods of sunshine in Ireland are fairly limited but on a nice day , nature can really have a profound effect on you. I’ve had periods over the last few years when I’ve been excruciatingly depressed. Going for a run in Herbert Park on a sunny day had an incredibly uplifting effect on those moods. There is nothing like being surrounded by trees, water and wildlife to stir the emotions.
Digital detox
My husband says I spend an unnatural amount of time on my phone and he’s probably right! I think our phones have become such an extension of us that we involuntarily reach for it at every moment. Just sit in a restaurant and take a look around at how many people are on their phones during their meal. I have been guilty of this! I couldn’t even get through a movie without flicking on my phone to see if the world had collapsed since I last checked it 2 minutes previously. Yes, you can switch your phone to silent but there is something nice about having no phone at all on your person for those 30, 45 minutes.
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