Run For Your Life
“Our running shoes have magic in them — the power to transform a bad day into a good day; frustration into speed; self-doubt into confidence; chocolate cake into muscle.” — Mina Samuels, author of Run Like a Girl
“Run for your life” is sort of a motto I have that I use as a motivator in my life, especially when it comes to running. I love to run. Almost as much as I love to consume donuts.
When I was a kid I used to hate running. I would dread the annual one-mile run during physical fitness tests for P.E. Sometimes I would genuinely try and sometimes I would walk it. I didn’t really care. I don’t come from an active family where physical fitness was talked about often and sports really weren’t a big deal outside of ACC basketball (Go Heels!). So I never really had a motivator besides the fact that a spent most of my middle school years being a little chubby and self-conscious.
In high school some friends from youth group would sometimes walk or run this beautiful 5k trail around the Duke University golf course. This trail is full of hills, foliage, shade, wild life, and energy. It’s the trail that made me fall in love with running.
I didn’t really take running seriously until I move to Atlanta after college. It gave me something to do. It gave me a reason to push myself. And I quickly realized that it was incredibly therapeutic for me:
Stressed? Run.
Bored? Run.
Sad? Run.
Happy? Run.
Anxious? Run.
Need fresh air? Run.
Want to be alone? Run.
Need community? Run.
Run? Run.
Once I realized how important running was to me I ran a few 5k races here and there and started doing some group runs with other Atlanta runners, but never took it too seriously. I did sign up for my first half-marathon in Philadelphia in 2018 and had a whole training schedule mapped out. Then I fell while bouldering in a rock climbing gym and suffered an awful ankle sprain. But I forced my self to get back up after a few months and eventually ran the half, landing a terrible time. During that year was when I adopted the “run for your life” mindset so I want to share what it means to me.
Run for your life — because you care about your self and your life. Orange Theory has this “More Life” motto and it coincides with that. Running gives you energy and brings a sense of accomplishment. Run because you care about your general well-being. That includes your mental self, emotional self, and physical self.
Run for YOUR life — because no one else matters while you’re running. Most people think running is all about the legs, that pain in your side, and trying to not hyperventilate. In my opinion, running is all mental toughness. You’re the only one who can convince yourself to keep going and you’re the only one who can make yourself stop. It’s all about you: what motivates you, what’s holding you back, what you want for future you, what you need in the moment, and just because you’re you.
Run for your LIFE — because your health matters. Heart conditions are present in the lives of my family members and although it can be genetic, I want to do everything I can to avoid any issues. Cardio workouts are my favorite and I love pushing my heart and lungs while thanking them for their strength.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE — because you’re scared. Run like hell away from whatever problems you have. Run because you’re happy and want to celebrate. Run towards bettering yourself. Run to escape your current stress. Run to workout whatever issue and indecision is clouding your brain. Whatever the reason may be, run for your life.
