Why I Write About Running

Today is one of those days where I normally would hide in my bubble, barely post on my social media or let alone, blog. I started off with one of those mornings where I realized the necessity of me staying home instead of trudging to work and having a full list (or lists, in this case) of items to take care of are truly more important than my paper-pushing job.

When I get in these moods, I spiral fast. Usually it means it's time to run (most likely speed work) or do an intense strength workout or a bikram yoga session is in order. An intense workout can counteract my feelings of collective stress. Stress about budgets, time management, relocating, my injury and lack of working out, my lack of excelling, my inflated expectations of myself. The more intense workout means the more I can let go. Just let go of it all.

I admit letting go is difficult for me, even with a [bad.ass] workout. Even admitting that I am not always the strong [bad.ass] that several people may see me as is horribly difficult. Yet, it gives me a chance to show how I funnel my emotions into fuel for physical intensity. I get the chance to show how physical activity is not only good for the body, but for the mind and the soul. I get the chance to show how pushing through a run full of hills and crappy roads and 68%+ humidity cleans the slate and shifts perspectives. This is why I write about my running adventures.

Stress Run

Now that I'm back on track with 10 miles logged and the weekend isn't even here, I'm feeling great. After 3 weeks of sickness, exhaustion, and life just taking over, I put my foot back into the gym. Switching between the treadmill and the elliptical, I'm getting my mileage clocked and my speed is picking up. My runs have been helping me relieve my stress of a not-so-great start to this year and my little one's upcoming surgery.

Today, I had a pure stress run though. Dealing with allergies, work and mental things I could not get out of my head, I hit that gym with a vengeance. I had to be pushed because I really wasn't feeling it at first, but the moment I walked in, I realized I was right where I needed to be. I only had time to do a thirty minute run, but I pushed myself harder than I've pushed in quite awhile.

I didn't think at all. I turned up my music as loud as my ears would let me, and I ran. I ran through the stress; I ran the pain of my muscles burning, even ran through the cloud of doubt to make an improvement today. I was there to just clear out my mind, sweat it out and make myself tired.

I succeeded too. I left the gym more ragged than a Raggedy Ann doll. Afterward, I came home, drank my favorite recovery drink (chocolate milk), sat down and logged my miles. Within 10 minutes of getting home, I felt clear. I pushed out the stress.

I love stress runs.