I am not an athlete in any sense of the word. I have never fully committed to excelling in a sport or discovered the natural ability to do so in one either. I look more like a flailing baby chicken when trying to be athletic than I do a human being. Like most real humans, though, I enjoy being physically healthy. Now, after refusing to entertain the idea for a long time, I have discovered my love for running.
There is a weird sort of stereotype surrounding running as a serious sport, hobby, or leisurely form of exercise. The stereotype is that it takes a very specific body type to succeed at it ¾ in other words, tall, long legs, and rail thin. I am here to announce that this is untrue. Yes, the aforementioned traits undoubtedly aid a man or woman in succeeding in the sport, but they are not the ultimate end. Personally, I am a mere five foot three and run much faster than I ever thought to be possible. It has been a good four months since I have run consistently and I can still pull off a solid 8:30 mile. That time is not something to brag about in the world of serious running, though for incapable looking me, it is golden.
Running is basically like walking, but faster.
Okay, I realize this statement is by definition untrue. Lies such as the one in my previous statement are part of the many tactics I have for motivating myself when I am sweating on the side of the road somewhere. The moral of this discussion is that if I can take up running, so can you. Running is not easy because it is just as mental as it is physical (if not more so), but if you are like me and live too much inside your own head, then running is perfect. A few other reasons I enjoy running? Running provides…
. An appropriate time to blast rave music, no one else can hear it
. Another excuse to contemplate the future and the nature of my own existence (in addition to the shower, car, and falling asleep at night)
. Time with nature
. A justification for the cake I baked at midnight
The list is endless.
I do not suggest we all take up marathon running. Really, I cannot fathom what ancient Greek specimen woke up one day and decided to run 26 miles for fun. However, with the summer sun shining there is no better time to get out there and sweat. Just pretend you are running toward an ice cream cone. Even better, pretend you are the ice cream cone. Basically, do anything to distract yourself from the probable burning in your legs.
