Need to Run …

For the past seventeen years running has helped keep me sane — except for four years from ’04 to ’08 when ‘a few small’ injuries prevented me from running.

It’s been rewarding (and sometimes painful) to get back to running the past two years. But along the way, I remembered why I ran pre-accident. I love being outdoors. I love running alone and I love running with others. I love the feeling of accomplishment at making my body work. I love to eat, so running counterbalances that. I like the way it clears my head. The running high truly is my prozac.

Then in August I bruised an old injury, so the past few months I couldn’t run. I filled in with some other exercises, but only got back to running two weeks ago.

Yesterday I (#1597) ran/walked a 5k with a few friends. It was so good to be back. The weather was perfect. I felt terrific. And I realized (again) how much I need running to keep me sane.

I can’t deny it (and my husband confirms it) I am easier to live with if I run regularly. And I like myself better. It balances my body, mind and spirit. As my body works, my mind and spirit sort out life’s issues. (Which helps restrain me from writing angry posts/status/tweets about the fact that certain people call yoga demonic. Do you have any idea how vital yoga/stretching/therapy have been to my recovery?)

Running helps make me – me.

I feel more fully alive when running is a part of my world.

Running is what works for me, for you it might be something totally different, but I assume we all need something.

What balances your body, mind and spirit? What makes you easier to live with? What’s the thing that helps makes you – you?