Why do you run?
Some people run to keep in shape. Running really gives you the most “bang for your buck”- you can walk out your front door and get in a great workout in 45 minutes. You can’t say that about many other activities.
People run because they love to be outdoors. Or they have a group of friends to run with and they love the community. Or they love the competitive aspect. Or they love the time alone, or they love the endorphins… so many reasons to run.
Since my foot is messed up, I got in the pool (again) for (yet another) pool run this morning.
I know! I’m so lucky to have a pool! Right in my own backyard! What a great alternative when you can’t run! But as I ran around and around in little circles, it suddenly seemed…. so frickin’ pointless.
All I Really Need To Know, I Learned From my Stress Fracture
Years ago, in my twenties when I was running fifty miles a week (ah, the good old days!) I got a stress fracture in my shin. I threw myself onto the machines at the gym, primarily the bike, thinking I would get my cardio fix and stay in shape that way. Interestingly, the stresses of life piled on so high that finally one day I felt like I was about to explode.
And that’s when I realized what running gives me. The act of moving my body, while moving forward in space, is symbolic of moving forward in life. When I’m on the stationary bike, or the elliptical, or the stairclimber, I’m moving my body but GOING NOWHERE. There’s a reason “spinning your wheels” is a bad thing. Likewise, “going around and around in circles” is unsatisfying.
I believe when we’re moving our body but not moving forward, our subconscious mind is aware of that. We may feel like things are fine for a while, but suddenly one day we realize life is unsatisfying and monotonous. Likewise, when we’re running outside on a regular basis, our subconscious understands that life is an amazing adventure that we’re moving through joyfully.
So… what to do?
Well, let’s see. I can’t run, or walk briskly without discomfort. I don’t like the bike- I know, you’re thinking “Guess what, Jenny? If you RIDE YOUR BIKE OUTSIDE, you’re moving forward, duh!” I agree there’s some truth there, but for me, there’s still a machine between me and the ground, doing some of the work. The closest thing I’ve found to getting that same satisfaction is swimming… and I’m considering it. It would require joining a gym with a pool, because our pool isn’t big enough for lap swimming. Whether or not I’ll take that leap is dependent on the results of my MRI.
But for now…
I’m focusing on yoga. I took a power yoga class regularly years ago and loved it. Now I do yoga on the Peloton app, and I’m loving it again. I don’t have enough experience with it yet to have any big, profound theories about why I love it, but for now I can say, it does not feel pointless. It’s something satisfying that will (hopefully) keep me sane until I can run again.
How about you- do you feel like running has a deeper meaning in your life? Does anything else give you that same feeling?
15 Responses
Oh gosh, how did you read my mind? The precise reason I do not enjoy most of my treadmill runs are because they do NOT get me anywhere. Even with a lot of cardio, sweat, and sore muscles afterwards…bottom line, I have gone nowhere regardless of how many miles the monitor says. I was surprised that I liked indoor cycling (last winter) as much as I did, because that’s essentially the same concept, albeit on wheels. At least on the bike, I can scroll my phone and catch-up on blogs, etc. as I sweat and work my legs. I have never had the opportunity to even try pool running, but I suspect I’d feel the same as you. I learned a lot about my love of running when I was sidelined, following my knee episode. When I was allowed to run again, I cherished EVERY time I could lace up my shoes (even in the dead of winter) and found a way to be grateful no matter how crappy the weather felt. Hang in there, Jenny! I hope you’re able to find a favorable “substitute” for running as things heal.
Thank you Kim! I’m glad to find someone who agrees with me. Yes… being injured really makes you appreciate every single run- I guess that’s the silver lining.
Yes 100% running just chills me out. Idk why, but I can’t stand biking either, so if I couldn’t be on my feet I’d be looking at pool running as well. Sadly I have to do my weekday runs on the treadmill now because of the late sunrise so I’m coming to terms with moving forward without moving forward;-)
For some strange reason I don’t mind the treadmill- I guess I just love running in any form. But according to my own theory, it would start to bother me if I did it all the time.
Nope. Just running. Not biking. Never the treadmill. Not yoga.
I don’t run just to get it done. It’s fresh air, nature, exercise, mental well being.
Hope you can run soon!!!!!
Yes, we’re on the same page Darlene. Well, except for the yoga. But I wouldn’t be getting into yoga now if I were able to run- I would just be running.
This is probably one of the reasons why I cannot stand the treadmill and find it frustrating. I used to bike often outside and would get the same rush going really fast. I also found a lot of satisfaction in swimming laps previously. I took a master swim class with lots of drills and really improved my times and form. Perhaps that might be something to try
I would actually love to improve my swim form. I’ll have to look into that- there must be a masters class around here. Thanks!
I fully agree with you, Jenny. I am sure that the physical forward movement sends a message to our subconscious mind. Also, just being outdoors is irreplaceable.
When I was sidelined for almost a year in 2019, I was ok with being on my bike – for me, it was like the next best thing, not as good as running, but close. Btw, I just heard this interesting fact: to get the same effort as running, they say you have to bike 2.5x longer.
Swimming is a great idea! Especially if you can combine it with your pool running outdoors in your pool. Can you do the power yoga outdoors as well?
I’ve been trying to figure out if I could do the yoga outside. I might try that this weekend! Interesting fact about the bike… that sounds about right.
In my opinion the treadmill is a “dreadmill”. It was useful when I had to recover after the femur fracture but it is very boring. I prefer to run outdoor even if it’s raining.
I started to run in 1985 to lose weight (I put on 8kg – 17,6 lbs when I stopped to play rugby) and later it become a cure for my mind, a real antistress. Later I learned to enjoy the races for the competition and the possibility to spend one day somewhere after the race itself.
I felt a similar sensation swimming in open sea.
I hope you come back to run very soon.
Yes, an open water swim would probably give the same feeling. Pool swimming is pretty good, but you’re just going back and forth over and over again.
I echo what everyone else says about the treadmill–and now you understand why I run outside in the bitter cold of winter. I need the fresh air, the feeling of movement, and the natural light. This is also why I don’t want to ride my bike in the trainer or run in the pool anymore. I’m sitting here as we speak, trying to convince myself to go to the pool. You know I will. But I don’t want to…waaaa
Yep! I know exactly how you feel.