There are two types of people in this world: runners and people who have not learned to become runners. For many people, running has the reputation of being the worst way to work out. It’s tiring, sweat soaking, and requires a lot of intrinsic motivation to continuously pound the pavement. On the other hand lies the addicts: the runners. They live to put one foot in front of the other--to feel the labored rhythm of the ground beneath them. It’s as if these people were born to run.
Anyone can become a runner. You’ve probably heard that before. You probably shrugged it off thinking to yourself, “Absolutely not… I’ll never be a runner.”
People seem to think that there is a sort of one size fits all when it comes to running. You must be fast, run long, and make it appear effortless. That is not the case. Runners run at all different kinds of speeds. They run all different sorts of distances. Runners may even walk at different times of their workout, or may find themselves sprinting.
The best way to become a runner is to simply start. Run a little. Jog a little. Walk a little. Sprint a little. Just run until the next tree, then you’ll take a breather. Run around the block. Then walk it. Then sprint it. Walk again, it doesn’t matter. In time, you’ll find yourself running more and struggling less.
If you ask most runners why they run, it’s not for the physical benefits that running often brings. It’s mental. Running becomes an addiction, a necessary part of life. It’s soothing to the soul. Give it a try, and you’ll never want to stop. Why? Well…
It’s the best alone time.
Running is independent. You don’t need anyone else. Forget your gossiping girlfriends next to you on the elliptical or your lifting buddy watching your every rep. You can make it your time. You can finally do something on your own without feeling the need to grab a friend.
Running is best done solo, focusing on moving forward—not just during your run, but also in life. You’ll find that your mind and body are equally involved every time you head out the door. Running gives you the alone time you need to clear your head, think of new ideas, and picture yourself succeeding.
It soothes anxiety.
Many people who suffer from anxiety and depression can benefit greatly from lacing up their sneakers and heading out the door. Running is constant-- it never changes. It’s putting one foot in front of the other until you reach a goal. The simplicity makes it a great way to unload stress. Additionally, running is tiring. Any extra energy that is wasted on destructive or negative thoughts can be channeled into a morning run (It's the best way to start a day, hands down).
It gives you a beautiful view.
While some prefer the treadmill (judging you), the best way to run is outside. Let your legs carry you through scenic morning sunrises, along the majestic trails of mountains, or across posh cities. It’s a feast for your eyes and a favor to the rest of your body.
It’s accessible.
It can be done anytime, anywhere. You don’t need a gym, a lot of knowledge on inverted something curls, or fancy work out gear. You do need a pair of solid and supportive kicks, but other than that, as long as you have a place to go, you have a run waiting for you.
There’s also no time requirement. You can make your runs as long or as short as you want. If you can only squeeze in 20 minutes in between classes, it's better than 20 minutes spent twiddling your thumbs.
It makes you self-aware.
The more you get addicted to running, the more you’ll want to invest in your training. Running is demanding on the body. In order to keep your runs at their best, you’ll be forced to pay attention to what you eat, how much you drink, and the rest of your lifestyle. Mhm, yeah Tequila Tuesday and 3 a.m. W-OVA sounds fun until you realize they would mess up your Wednesday 5-miler.
You’ll change your mindset from, “I’m trying to look really hot,” to “I’m feeding my body and training.”
It makes you more productive.
In order to fit in your 8-mile long run, you’ll have to skip fooling around to watch five episodes of House of Cards so you can actually get to that paper that’s due next week. You’ll also want at least 7 hours of sleep so you can have a decent run, which means you need to get into bed by midnight, which means you need to crank out these four hours of studying so that you can get to bed and go to sleep.
See what I mean?
It makes you goal-oriented.
While just starting to run may be your first goal, over time you’ll get competitive with yourself. You want to be faster. You want to last longer. You want to go farther. You’ll push yourself. You’ll sign up for 10K's, 15K's, half-marathons, or even full marathons. You’ll want to prove it to yourself. You’ll set goals. You’ll reach them. You’ll set more.
And then you’ll start applying this thinking to every other aspect of your life. Because you are a winner and you will not be anything less than the best version of yourself.
It makes you super confident.
Being a runner almost gives you a sense of superiority. You’re one of them. You’re a runner. While that isn’t actually the case, you do get a sense of pride. You’re in the club. You run races, you read Runner’s World, you love talking about your last half-marathon, and you could literally run circles around anyone who dares to ever insult you. Bye Felicia!
It makes you a runner.
Believe it or not, when you run, you become a runner. You get to say that you log your miles, you brave the cold, you face the heat, you’ve survived shin splints and the grueling long runs to say you are a R-U-N-N-E-R. And that alone is one of the greatest feelings.
