Running has been the sport I have loathed most. I never liked it. Every second of cross country, track & field, soccer field laps and treadmill runs was like a slow, drawn out form of torture. The worst part was that it was dreadfully boring. I found it monotonous and difficult.
But I have been running consistently since 7th grade and I haven’t stopped since. At first I did it to stay fit. I did it because it wasn’t so bad when you were being tortured on a team with your friends. I did it because my Mom is a runner and she pushed me to do more than just what comes easy, to challenge myself. She inspired me to push myself in school and with running. So I ran even when I didn’t want to and eventually something began to change: I learned to put my worries away and be present during the run, enjoying every moment and step of the way. Running began to open up a door to a meditative state for me. My mind would clear and a calm would take over.
When I run I am happier. The feeling of accomplishment that swells up in your chest after a run is overcoming and joyful. The sound of blood pumping behind my ears reminds me of a cheering crowd and I feel victorious and proud to say I completed this with all I had. It is because of this feeling that I force myself to run again the next day. The strides in my legs grow longer and my breath steadies. I begin to hold my shoulders back a little higher with every run. Soon I start to smile as I run and I feel relieved for no reason in particular.
This 4th of July I ran in a 5k race with my Mom and younger brother at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots! What blew me away about being a part of this race was the support and positivity amongst the runners and the crowd. The high spirits in excitement for the coming race was a buzzing ambience that infected everyone on the trail with generosity. It was unbelievable to feel like you were running for something so much bigger than yourself. It wasn’t just me on a trail run anymore. It was me and 8,000 other people running in celebration. Fans lined the whole path hooting and hollering in support as racers jogged by with determination.
At the very end of this special Independence Day race, runners sprinted across the finish line at the 50 yard mark on the field. It was honestly incredible to run out and see the whole field open up to the finish line packed with cheering friends and family. It was just a fun race overall and great to have crossed the finish line with family by my side.
This race showed me that running is more than just an exercise or part of a routine. Knowing I was working towards a goal motivated me to work harder during my runs. Once I finally conquered that race, it really validated all the work I had put in and got me excited to go even further next time.
Running has always been something I turn to when I feel my life needs change. Whether that's a change in habits or perspective, I always resort back to running when I am looking to gain control of my life again. It can be therapeutic and beneficial in so many ways both mentally and physically. Running has brought my friends and family together time and time again over the years and I’m so glad that it's always been there for us.
