Throughout the years, my appreciation for running has grown immensely. For some, running is a sport where people train to compete. For others, running is merely an activity to get into, or stay, in shape. Many fail to realize, though, that running is not just a physical activity. Indeed, running is a great physical activity, but it's purpose lies with easing the mind and the soul.
As a collegiate runner, I've grown familiar with the exertion and mentality attached to the activity. The distance that I run has increased since graduating from high school. From the beginning of my college career to this past August, I have discovered why running has a temporary offsetter in my life, and why it allows me to reflect on the things that play a significant role to me.
Making the transition from high school to college is a stressful time; there is no disputing that. Your parents can’t make dinner for you, nor can they do your laundry as those responsibilities are now yours. I remember my first night at Marist when I realized that I am now on my own.
My childhood is officially over.
Going to cross country practice allowed me to shift my focus from being alone, to attempting to run a specified amount of mileage. While running, you have to make sure you are pacing yourself correctly and maintain a calm composure.
Metaphorically speaking, running is like going to work. While working, you have to make sure that everything is kept in high maintenance. On top of maintaining a high quality diet, hydrating properly and receiving adequate amounts of sleep, running on a daily basis keeps you busy and forces you to sway from thinking about the realities of life for a temporary amount of time.
Personally, the most rewarding experience that comes from running is the long run. For those who decide to embark on such an activity will realize that it is in fact a rewarding experience. Remember when I said how running diverts you from thinking about the realities of life? The long run accomplishes that and does even more.
For the team, a solid long run typically lasts between ninety and one-hundred minutes. If ran at or around a seven minute per mile pace, the long run will have a duration between thirteen and fifteen miles.
For the first 30 minutes of the run, whatever is on my mind before running sticks with me. As I pass the 30-minute threshold, things begin to change, and the power of running comes into play.
Your mind begins to shift focus from the initial thought your mind was wrapped around and drifts into something else. It can be anything at all but for me, it typically revolves around a topic where a feeling of satisfaction comes about. For me, I begin to think about either an upcoming race or reminiscing about past events. I will begin to assess how well I’ve been training or what I need to do to become better prepared for future races.
At the 60-minute threshold, my mind sways away from the current topic of interest and begins to wrap itself around anything miscellaneous. Occasionally, things such as self-reflection or an upcoming event will occupy my mind. I am able to draw upon conflicts that are present at the time and assess what needs to be done to resolve the conflict. Generally speaking, critical thinking is provoked, followed by a plethora of thoughts.
Without even realizing it, the long run is now complete, and you are back to reality. But how?
I’m not saying running is some psychedelic journey that makes you feel like you’re on Cloud Nine. Running is just a way to escape. You may not want to run initially, but if you force yourself to do so, you will reap the benefits both physically and mentally. I have yet to meet a person who said that they regretted going for a run.
By completing a run, you are able to obtain a degree self-satisfaction which can motivate you to take on another task, and then another one after that.
I find it to be healthy for people to find their escape. For me, running is my escape from the perils of reality. To be able to find a way to release any underlying stress and express yourself vividly through activity is an accomplishment that nobody can take away from you.
That my friends, is the power of running.
