Thursday, January 31, 2008

School is Still in Session

I'm feeling very reflective this week.

I was telling my mom about my race this weekend (she doesn't read my blog and has no idea what I'm up to). She said "Too bad you don’t get paid or something for all that running." I didn't know how to respond to her because she just doesn’t get it.

Running is its own reward - physically AND mentally. We do it because it's part of who we are and we love it. Kinda like how she lights up a doobie and eats cheese dip for dinner every night. It's who she is, how do you explain that?


This got me thinking about all the benefits of running and what I have learned from it.

Here's a quick list:

1. Running has taught me that it's not supposed to be easy. If it was easy, the reward wouldn't be so great.

2. Waking up just an hour early (to run) can honestly change your life.

3. If I get a good run in, I can accomplish nothing else for the day and still feel accomplished.

4. Endorphins are the best mind altering substance.

5. Every day is different and brings a new challenge - just like every run. One might suck beyond belief, but that usually means that a good one is just around the corner.

What has running taught you?

Song of the day: Superstar by Sonic Youth (from the Juno soundtrack)

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

"those can rub off?"

K80K said...

Running has taught me that with enough hard work you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.

Razz said...

mmmm.....doobie cheese.

running has taught me that, after going "just another mile", anything is possible.

Shelley said...

The thing that is amazing about running is how versatile it is....anybody can do it from Grannies to young, hot guys - and everyone is challenge and everyone can be successful. Once you acheive a goal, there is always something else you can do to motivate and challenge yourself.

Tigerlilly said...

Running has taught me that....

my boobs are bigger then I thought and I need a better sports bra...

thighs are not meant to rub together and that there IS a cure!!

my lungs were only at 'half capacity' before..

no matter how good you get, you can always get better!

:)

Nancy said...

Oh moms, geez. Running has taught me that my mom is clueless, except I already knew that one.

Marcy said...

Geez, running has taught me lots but I think most importantly it's that I can do all the things I once thought I could not. But then again I guess this could apply to childbirth as well :P

Laura N said...

Look at you being all reflective! Your mom really lights up a doobie? California.... I don't think my mom even knows what a doobie is.

Running has taught me that you don't have to be an Olympic star to still be a runner. I can be a slow poke and still be a runner. And I really like your #4. That is SO true and nothing but running can give that same high.

Jess said...

Running has taught me that I deserve a doobie :)

Heather said...

Great post!! Ok, I'm not running now, but when I was, I felt incredibly proud every time, cause I have asthma and growing up I couldn't finish the mile run in PE. It also taught me:

Run: walk intervals are a great metaphor for life. Start running. You don't have to do it forever, just a few minutes. If you think I'll never run for 2 hours, then you'll never run for 2hours. You gotta think, I'm gonna run for 5 minutes, then I'm gonna take a break.

Don't pay attention to whatever is working for other people. Do YOUR thing and don't worry about the others. Also a great life lesson.

I am not a morning person. Running in the morning = incredibly grouchy Heather. Running after a frustrating work = less comfort eating and wine drinking, plus I get to leave the furstrations on the treadmill, where they belong.

the Bag Lady said...

The Bag Lady is not a runner, but has learned to do other things she never thought she would...driving a tractor to feed cows, pulling calves, carrying 50lb pails of oats...all this from an ex-dental assistant who never had kids 'cause she was afraid she'd throw up changing a poopy diaper! :)

Now she has had her arm inside a cow's uterus right up to the shoulder and didn't puke.

Okay, is that what you meant about learning experiences...no? Oops, sorry.

Unknown said...

i learned that interval running really helps build my endurance. oh and that my body is an amazing thing, and even more amazing after a run :-)

My Life said...

Kind of going along with your #1... running continues to try to teach me to keep things in perspective. i.e. if I can't expect to jump off the couch and suddenly pound out 26 miles, why should I expect to be able to simultaneously do 26 items on my to do list... or have all the things I want changed in my life to just change. It all takes work and it all takes one step after another.

Midwest said...

Great post. Running has taught me that if you've had a bad day, it's no big deal. Shake it off, because the next one might be great.

renae said...

That I am so much stronger than I ever thought possible.

Ali said...

running clears my head, balances my life and no matter how much I dread doing it, I always feel great when I'm done

Viv said...

Your Mom, sounds like my Mom. With the can you get paid for it, and her fav will you ever win..grrr!

Running has tought me self confidence in my own strength. I am doing something that 60 pounds ago I would have only dreamed of. No matter how rough a run can be at times, afterwards I feel like Wonder Woman :-)

RunToTheFinish said...

Running has taught me so many wonderful things...I can do more than I thought, I am stronger than I think, it makes me proud and balances out the craziness, it gives me time alone, it's as essential as breathing any more...it's just part of me.

RunnerGirl said...

Running makes me feel like I can accomlish anything if I work hard enough. I've also learned that body glide is my friend, shot blocks are better than gus, and nothing beats Panera after a Saturday morning long run!

Tammy said...

I love my mom! She actually gets me.

I love your #3!
Running has taught me that I CAN be an athlete, at any age.
I can do anything I set my mind to.

Tri+Umph said...

Running has taken something everybody knows, and completely ingrained it into my life:

Hard work pays off.

Anonymous said...

Running has taught me that I am capable of running 26.2 miles. It has also taught me that you can inspire others and be inspired by others.

Good luck this weekend.

Anonymous said...

AMEN!!! Great list!!

Running has taught me that if I sweat enough, the area between my buttcheeks chafes due to the subtle shifting over the course of a few hours. Owwwwie!

But mainly... everything you wrote!

It transforms my mood.

Grumpy Chair said...

What a great list. I'm not a runner . . . yet, but I had to print off this list to remind me during my C25K training.

teacherwoman said...

What has running taught me?

That, I can have one of the longest, most stressful days, and in a matter of 30 minutes, I cam be in a completely different mood... because of running!

Meg said...

Most of the above, and I like being able to enjoy something that most people find daunting!

J~Mom said...

That there are fantastic people out there on the internet! :>)

Laura said...

I love your recent list posts! So fun, and they definitely make me think.

The biggest thing I've learned from running is how much more I can do when I set my mind to something. In high school, I "couldn't" make it through the mile without walking. Last week, I did a half-marathon without stopping or walking!! I've been able to apply this to some other areas of my life as well, so it's given me a lot of confidence.

Thanks for making me reflect :)

Reluctant Runner said...

Running has taught me that I can change from one kind of person -- a non-athletic couch potato -- to a completely different kind of person -- a marathoner! What a powerful lesson that has been.

Now if only I could change from a person who always loses her keys to someone who always knows where they are ...

Laurel said...

I couldn't have said it better myself. Especially:


3. If I get a good run in, I can accomplish nothing else for the day and still feel accomplished.