As a kid, I was an experimental athlete. Seeing as I had no hand-eye coordination, I never quite found my niche in softball, basketball or soccer. Then in middle school, I heard about something called cross country. Yes, I was one of those, “What’s cross country?” idiots. Most of the sport’s appeal lay in the fact that it didn’t involve a ball of any sort. Once I started running, it was obvious that just like all the other sports I had tried, I was no prodigy. Yet, there was something different about running—something more individual, relaxing and self-fulfilling. It was just what I needed. Over the years, running has taught me so many things. Here are just a few.
1. Your shoes are a window into your soul.
Running shoes and spikes come in a plethora of varieties. You could go for the highlighter yellow Nike Zooms that say, “serious on the track, wild in the streets,” or the more traditional white Asics with a classy burst of periwinkle blue for a practical and focused feel. As you can tell, shoe selection speaks volumes about personality. I’ve found the same principles also apply to shoe choices outside the running world.
2. You’re never actually dying.
You may be in the midst of 400 repeats (aka the worst track workout ever), but I promise you'll survive. Your body will backfire on you more often than not; but even when you’re bent over panting and your abs, calves, thighs and pinky toes seem to be on fire, do all you can to refrain from thinking “I’m gonna die.” Instead, envision the Spartan body you’re going to have and remind yourself that although running sucks at certain points, it’s all only temporary. Pain makes you stronger.
3. Don’t waste time worrying about your appearance.
In your head, you may think you look cute and fit, and by all means, go ahead and have that confidence. However, don’t bother holding your breath when cars drive by in case someone attractive might be behind the wheel (I’ll admit, I’m guilty of this). Also, avoid catching a glimpse of your reflection at all costs. I’ve made this mistake countless times and am always repulsed at the fact that I look like I just dove headfirst into a can of chicken soup after running only a mile. Anyways, the goal of running shouldn’t be to look cute or attract anyone else. You’ll know they’re a keeper if they’ve seen you after running eight-plus miles and still think you’re great.
4. Good things take miles.
Like anything in life, patience is key. When you’re just starting out, running feels brutal and unnecessary. The end of my first 5K was ugly, to say the very least. Slowly, then all at once, it gets better. The pain never altogether leaves, but it becomes easier to ignore. If you stick with something, you’ll end up pleasantly surprising yourself more than you’d ever expect. This especially rings true with running.
5. It’s Always a Good Time to Explore.
I have discovered countless places through running. Since I moved to Boston, I like to purposely get lost when I run for two reasons. Firstly, I find exciting new areas that I can always return to. Secondly, I end up running longer distances because I have trouble finding my way back. It’s a win-win situation. In my suburban hometown, I loved running on trails hardly anyone knew existed. It was a great way to find solitude in a place so small it felt like everyone knew way too much about everyone. Either way, running has shown me that there is so much out there waiting to be discovered if only you take the time to look for it.
6. Positivity Goes a Long Way.
When I first joined the cross country team, I didn't get the point of cheering my teammates on. It felt like they'd rather be left alone in privacy while they either powered up for a strong finish or died a tragic death for the remainder of their race. Then I saw just how much it affected me when I was running and a teammate standing on the sidelines didn’t offer any words of empowerment. It’s always easier to run when you know people are supporting you. I used to make a sport out of cheering for my teammates and making them feel loved and special. This carries over to human interactions in general. When someone is feeling great and powerful, you should always forward that feeling. If someone is feeling weak, you should do everything in your power to lift them up. Running helped me become a more decent human being, and for that I’m forever grateful.
