Monday, February 3, 2014

Unexpected Ways Running Changed my World

Last night my husband and I were discussing our weekend plans.

"I think I'm going to run the Heart and Sole 5k this weekend, because I get free registration with my Atlanta Track Club membership," I told him. He stared at me for a moment, then started to laugh.

"Can I just point out that two years ago that statement would have never come out of your mouth?" he said. "Did you even know that there was such a thing as the Atlanta Track Club?"

He's right. I've come a long was in a short time. It made me think of all the ways running has changed my world--and not just the obvious ones like dropping a few pounds.

Running has made me think about what I put in my mouth. When you've slugged away on the treadmill for an hour, you re-think those cookies.

Running has given me a legitimate reason to wear running clothes--outside of lounging around the house.

Running has made me a better planner. Popular races can sell out quickly and require travel which means I have to think ahead. In the same vein, running has made me better with a budget--race registrations and cute running clothes add up quickly.

Running has expanded my vocabulary. Now I know what things like Gu, KTTape, Nuun, and fartleks are.

Running has changed my dreams. I used to dream about giving book reports naked or being unprepared for a big meeting. Now I dream that I'm late for a race.

Running has helped me make new friends. When I was younger, I loved going to concerts--the energy during a live show was always amazing, and I loved the idea that I had something in common with everyone who was there. Now I feel the same way about the starting line of a big race--it makes it so easy to strike up a conversation with the people around me.

Running has made me brave. Before I started running, I may have set foot in a gym once or twice--mainly because I was just too shy to go in. Now I'm not so scared anymore--running gave me something that belonged to me and that I could be a part of.

It's amazing, the things you find when you're out running.

A penny for your thoughts: how has running changed you?



12 comments:

  1. Love the budget item! I have always had a solid budget, but for the last 3 years, "running/fitness/massage" is an actual category of spending, lol.
    Running has made it easier for me to prioritize things for myself - it's one thing that doesn't readily take a back seat.

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    1. That's awesome, Karen! I definitely had to rework my budget a little once running became such a big part of my life!

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  2. I was honestly just thinking about this today! Running has totally changed the way that I care for myself or take time for myself. It has also changed the way I deal with problems and has allowed me a lot more time for introspection.

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    1. It's amazing what you figure out when you're pounding the pavement, isn't it?

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  3. Running has made me realize just how strong I am. =)

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  4. What a great post! I can totally relate! I didn't even own sneakers until 2 years ago! I love how running has made you brave. hahaaha the word "fartlek" always makes me laugh :)

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    1. Thanks, Jessie! I definitely avoid saying "fartlek" because I giggle every time.

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  5. Great concepts! Running has made me realize that I am a lot more badass than I thought!

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    1. Right? The mental shift after you run a long race is amazing.

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  6. I think running was kind of the second step on my journey of change. The first was finishing college after going part time for more years than I want to admit. Getting to the end of that and getting my BA was big. Once I no longer had school to focus on, and I got bored with my job, that's when I took on running and then marathon training. That led to me realizing that I really could do anything I set my mind to and I went back to school for my teaching credential.

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    1. Isn't it funny what running can be the catalyst for?

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