When I have those days, the best cure is the track. I know I have mentioned this before but for whatever reason when I get to the track and see my running buds it’s like a weight lifting. I smile at my running friends and can’t wait to let loose around and around, over and over.
Because at some point while I’m running around that track I’m no longer an employee, no longer a Subject Matter Expert, no longer a nine-to-fiver who needs a break from disgruntled phone calls and never ending emails, but just a girl, running around the track, having some peace.
I can get some relief during the long run but I don’t need to focus as much as I do at the track. While I’m racing to hit the times I want during my 800 repeats I think about my breathing. And my form. And how my body feels. And that’s it. It’s amazing. I think this is what elites do every run. They are pushed so hard that they can’t think about the daily nonsense that so often permeates our thoughts.
While some folks think the endorphins are the running high we experience, I think it also has to do with the fact that sometimes while running we can just shut out the noise. We turn off the self-doubting, the self-loathing. We turn off the negative vibes from inner and outer sources. We don’t think. We just run. Now that I run the way that I do, the whole Forrest Gump “just run-ning” thing makes a lot more sense then when I first saw that movie. He was running to shut out the noise, shut out the Jen-nie.
For me, this type of running happens at the track.
I don’t normally give advice on this blog, because honestly, what the hell do I know (other than what works for me of course)? However, I will say find your “shut out the noise” run and do it every week. You’ll be a little happier and faster and glad for the silence.
All of those asses got me to thinking…Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. Glad you got your run on girl……….
LOL! I love you Ken.
OMG so any comment I was going to leave is now forgotten because of how funny Ken's comment is!!! Bahahahahahahaha!!!
This is exactly why I run. I forget about EVERYTHING that needs to be forgotten (unless Im talking about it while running). Its funny to explain that to my nonrunner friends/family. They think Im crazy.
Love this post! I think this is one of the best things about running – it does allow you to put aside everything else and just focus and just be. It's great! It's therapy.
Love this! I definitely do this. My ED sometimes gets the best of me but when I'm running I'm strong, sexy and I can take on anything. It's quiet peaceful. All the damn energy vampires go away! Why else would you run? Love this 🙂
You just described my entire morning…And it's not even 8am.
What a perfect description of why so many of us run! It's an escape from the world if only for just a hour or so. Beautifully written!
I completely agree with you!
Very worthy advice. Glad you can capture that feeling!
I don't think the elite runners think about the daily nonsense we do. They're focused on their runs because, well, their job is running.
I love the "release the demons" run. Cheers!
One of those days .. HA. Try just about everyday. I am holding out for the do you ever have one of those days where nobody annoys you
First I love the phrase.. "Jack Ass!!" Secondly I couldn't agree with you more girly!!!!!! I haven't done speed in a while but the sheer run shuts out everything..
I feel the same way about the track!
Running is therapy! And relatively cheap! Amen sista'!
I have a lot of annoying days in my week, but it all goes out the window when I run.
Have a good week!
Oh my gosh — I'm having one of those days RIGHT NOW!!
Maybe it is time for one of your shut out the noise runs!!