Summer is here, for college students at least. No more homework. No more group projects. The weather has turned from grumpy and overcast to smiling and sunny. Although I now primarily identity as a rower, running will always be in my blood. After giving myself a blissful, lazy week off from anything requiring an elevated heart rate, I have returned to the athletic world. Running is one of the most popular and most hated forms of exercise. Most anyone can run if they get a pair of sneakers and get off the couch. But this does not make running easy. Or lovable. Yet, I have learned to, if not always love, then appreciate the beauty of running.
I’m still in that most annoying stage of exercise: getting back in shape. Oh, it hurts. My body complains about three mile runs and groans at the mere thought of picking up the pace. The great thing about running is that everyone can have a different definition of what being in shape is for them, and they will all be right. For me, I want to be able to run six miles again without experiencing too much discomfort. My friends on the cross country team treat six miles as an easy day. Getting in shape requires self-discipline, but, more importantly, it requires setting realistic goals that are right for you. Running is not for everyone, but I have been doing it for so long that I know how to listen to my body and ramp it up slowly. The key to not getting injured while running is in these first few weeks getting back into it. If your knees hurt, stretch and take a day or two off. Maybe lower the intensity or endurance. For any sport, really, don’t just ignore the aches and pains that won’t go away. I learned this the hard way and had to miss almost the entire indoor track season one year. Don’t be like me.
When I am able to zone out and forget most of my run, then I know that I have reached a good place physically. It means my body is able to go the miles on autopilot, and my brain has permission to turn off. This is great, but the real draw is finding runner’s high again. I am going to sound like a drug addict, but it’s all-natural, I swear. It’s this sense of euphoria where your body feels like it could go forever. The pain fades away and so does any negative thinking. I guess it’s a bit like learning to fly for the first time. So, like an addict, I am seeking that feeling this summer. Go grab your sneakers and join me. We can learn how to fly together.
