As I am currently residing in the land of R.I.C.E., where the temps are always chilly and the elevation is high, I’ve had lots of time to ponder my love of running. What exactly is it about running that I love so? I clearly miss it and just don’t get the same joy out of other fat burning pursuits.
I’ve been hitting up the gym early in the morning and that really helps me through my days of not running. But, as we runners know, it’s just not the same. What is it exactly that I miss?
Heat? No. Blisters? No. Sweaty body parts? No.
I’m pretty sure that my running addiction stems from stress relief and endorphin rush. I feel like a whole different person after I run and I think it’s noticeable. Let’s look at my history shall we?
I swam in high school. I ate crap all day long (Taco Bell for lunch AND dinner? Don’t mind if I do.) and as long as I was swimming I kept weight off. Then, of course, I got to college and became a beer-guzzling, late-night-pizza-eating, freshman 15 (or 25) pound gaining sloth. I also suffered from a mild case of depression. Here I was 23 years old and depressed. Over what exactly? That I could not tell you, but I think it had a lot to do with being heavier than I’d ever been and not getting those endorphins I had gotten used to in high school.
Enter the South Beach Diet and working out.
I started the South Beach Diet and working out like a fiend. I’d go to the gym everyday after work and run a couple times per week. Then I decided I needed to run a marathon and voila! Happy B.o.B. reemerged.
Yes, I was happier because of the weight loss and buying a few sizes smaller, but I truly believe I was happier because of those endorphins and the “think time” I received while running. Sure, I can get those benefits in other ways, but for some reason running is the best at it.
The reason I run is for stress relief and endorphins. I admit it, I’m an endorphin junkie. It makes me happy and I’m looking forward to being fully healed and hitting the roads again. Soon enough, I’ll be back out there complaining of the heat during the run and putting band aids on my sad looking feet, but after it all, I’ll be smiling.
What’s your reason for running?
because I can. and because I feel alive when I'm running.
and for the last two months, I haven't been able to. So I can related. Everything else is "okay" but it's not the same.
Mine is the people. I love my running peeps. Without them I would be lost.
yep, stress relief. feeling "in control" of my life because I'm "in control" of whether or not I step out the door for a run
Pure enjoyment
Stress relief is my main reason. I, like you, originally started running to loose weight and feel like I did when I was in HS. But it has evolved into so much more. Now I define myself as a runner, something I never thought possible when I started.
Glad you're healing well, Saturday will be here before you know it!
I run because I played competitive sports in high school and this is my only way to stay competitive. I can't ever stop.
I run because it makes me oddly happy round-the-clock. It's magical that way.
Did you do South Beach while marathon training? Or…did you need carbs to train?
Sex releases endorphins! heh
I started running because of the challenge. And getting back into shape was a nice side effect of that 🙂
I definitely run for the stress relief and endorphins too. Even my husband notices if I haven't run or worked out in a while – I get all crabby and twitchy.
I run because it makes me feel goooood. I feel like I have accomplished something. Especially after coming off an injury, people keep telling me running is not for me. Uh yes it is, I just need better shoes!
Weight loss is a nice bonus
i run because it makes EVERYTHING in my life amazing!!! i'vebeen running since i was a kid so i don't even really know my life without it! i sure don't want to find out!
I run because I shouldn't be able to run. I shouldn't be able to complete a 5K, 1/2M or full marathon, but somehow I've done all of that. I'm not even the person who could get off of the couch. I should NEVER really like running, but I do. and for Pete's sake, I'm friggin blogging about it?? It's not me, not my style –I watch runners going by my house while eating buttery toast and think that I could never be like that. And yet, I'm doing it. I'm a runner.
LOVE this post! I'm an endorphinaholic as well. I didn't start running until after my 3rd kid. And then it was only a means to lose weight. Somewhere along the way I discovered that I loved it. I run for so many reasons but there's this awesome quote that sums it up nicely for me, "We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves…The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable."
Sir Roger Bannister, first runner to run a sub-4 minute mile
Thanks for the thought provoking post!
Great story. You are not alone with the depression and college. My daughter had to come home fora couple years to straighten everything out – including meds. Nice to read that you wer able to get everything better and get things back on track.