What Running Does For Me

After talking with someone today about my life issues, he encouraged me to keep up with running, even if life craziness tries to interfere. He told me he’d been running virtually every day since he was 13, and that he can’t even begin to describe what running has done for him.

I don’t need to be convinced. Now, more than ever, I need my running. When everything else in my life seems uncertain, I love the certainty of lacing up my shoes, hitting the roads and just running.

What running does for me:

it inspires me
it comforts me
it motivates me
it allows me to escape from the world
it allows me to sort out my thoughts
it keeps me physically fit
it keeps me mentally sane
it keeps me emotionally stable
it allows me an outlet to release my stress
it brings me peace
it allows me to eat an extra cookie, or three, without feeling guilty
it gives me my much needed “me time”
it is my therapy (but cheaper!)
it allows me to dream
it makes me more patient, less crabby and better able to deal with life and all that it throws at me
it makes me strong
it provides a social outlet for me
it gives me something to look forward to each night when I shut my eyes
it gives me a reason to jump out of bed at 4:30, instead of pressing snooze
it puts a smile on my face