Mentally Hooked on Running

Running is something that most people hate for several reasons. Some people say it is beyond boring, as they do not see the enjoyment behind putting one foot in front of the other. Others believe that running is too hard for them and that they believe they are going to suffer cardiac arrest after running for only ten minutes on the treadmill. However, a select few like myself find joy in running. Running has allowed me to explore another part of myself. It has unlocked another part of my brain and has pushed me to become a better athlete, person, and student. I have also seen more of the world through running. It has allowed me to be less socially awkward in front of my colleagues, family, and friends. Taking my brothers out for runs outside has also been eye-opening, not only for me but for them, too. I have inspired others through something simple like putting one foot in front of the other. Surprisingly, I feel good after running a few miles, especially in the morning. I feel that I can tackle anything that is put in front of me if I run for a few miles. And the best part is that I am not the only one who believes that. The effect of running has proven to have psychological benefits. Something even as small as “Couch to 5k” has helped people lower their depression and anxiety. Other clubs and organizations, such as “Girls on the Run” and “Parkrun” can support the physical and mental aspects of running. This allows people to share a bond and become friends with one another. This allows people to feel that they are not alone when it comes to running. Running can be a difficult activity for people, but having people by your side doing the same thing does not make it seem as difficult as it is. Having others push you to be the best version of yourself and vice versa is crucial in helping you feel good in life.

As someone who struggled with mental health issues as a teenager, I can tell you that running has been beneficial for my mental health. I was struggling with weight issues and always being mocked and made fun of in elementary and middle school. There were times when I cried because I could not manage all the insults I got. In high school, I ran for my cross-country team and finished dead last in every race in my first year. Some of my classmates would see me run and make fun of me. However, my teammates did not give up on me. They pushed me to be the best athlete I could be. In my sophomore year, I started to get significantly better and fell in love with running more. My grades were significantly better than ever, and I was creating bonds with my high school teammates that would last a lifetime. I chose to run in college for an NCAA team because of the profound effect running had on my mental health. I felt less stressed out and free from reality. I also made friends from running who not only cared about me as an athlete but as a person, too. After committing to an NCAA Division III school, I was running more mileage than ever. Even though the 13-mile-long runs at 6:00 AM were daunting at times, I knew that I was having the time of my life because of the bonds I made with my teammates. While we ran, we would talk about music, the news, and so much more. We would laugh the whole time. All of us love the sport of running because it makes us feel good. We shared something that no one could take away from us.

Unfortunately, running has caused physical injuries in my lifetime. As a college athlete, I broke my foot while I was racing. I was at a very low point in my life after that incident. I saw all my friends running more miles on the trails, roads, and the track. I would show up to practice and just hope that I could run with them again. At that point, running played a crucial role in my life. I did everything I could to be able to run with my teammates. I saw doctors and athletic trainers weekly to make sure that I could run again. I was biking and lifting regularly, but it was not the same as running. Once I got cleared to run, I was ecstatic. I was finally able to live my normal routine and run with the people who cared about me the most. After my injury, I never took running for granted ever again. My injury and time away from running showed me that nothing made me happier than lacing up my shoes, stepping outside that door, and putting one foot in front of the other.

Running is something that people, like me, look forward to doing every day. Whether you run for ten minutes or a couple of hours, I am still proud of you. I always tell people that when it comes to running, the hardest thing to do is to put on your running shoes and step outside that door. Once you start running, you feel something that you have never felt before.