Run for fun, run for life

Reality sucks, which is why so many people look to escape it. Majority of people escape reality by playing video games, eating ice cream, listening to music or by just jumping off a bridge, but the healthiest way is just going out for a run to spend some time with yourself. Running is that escape people take when they are feeling down or stressed. My personal reason why I love running is because it has served as my personal therapist when I’m feeling down and because it has showed me what type of person I am.

My running career began freshman year with a motivational speech by Coach Munoz. He was talking about how Cross Country doesn’t just tune your body but also your mind. He also said that when you run, you realize how much suffering you can handle which can help you get through life. I was hooked on the idea of becoming a runner and I joined cross country to give it a try. My first two weeks as a freshman were hell. I was getting injuries, aches and pain from muscles I didn’t know I had, and even had difficulty walking during school because of painful shin splints.

Over time, I started realizing that if I pushed myself and committed myself, I could accomplish any goal. I started breaking my personal times in the three mile, I went from 24 minutes to 18 minutes. This strong mindset carried over into my academics. In school, I challenged myself with AP classes and didn’t accept low grades. This is what running brings, it changes your mindset to be more committed and hardworking individual. Runners are committed people and have to work extremely hard to be better, which crosses over into the other areas of your life.

Apart from the mind-conquering stuff about running, it keeps you in great shape. Before I became a runner, I was really out of shape. After freshman cross country ended, I became an avid runner. I would run six miles from Alisal to Alvarez and back or when I felt a little crazy I would run nine miles out on Old Stage Road. I was one of those crazy guys who ran everyday in the early morning, but my favorite time to run is just before sunset. Running as the sun goes down makes me feel relaxed and the view makes me happy and energized.

This daily running significantly toned my body. The results of running long miles also motivated me to become more physically active to stay in shape and stay healthy. I started noticing my body change. My legs were getting bigger, I lost weight and became more toned. My habits also changed, I would constantly read about healthy lifestyles, so in a way, running changed my life style.

One of the perks of running is that occasionally, when I’m lucky, I get runner’s high. Runner’s high is a feeling sensation when everything feels wonderful and you feel like you can run forever. To get this sensation runners have to start slow then gradually increase the pace to the point when you feel you can keep that pace forever. For me, when I get runner’s high I feel like I’m in heaven as if I could run forever, I feel like I’m in my maximum potential and on top of the world. Also, this feeling is addictive because when I get the feeling I want to experience it again and again. Running has become so addictive to the point that when I take a day off I feel anxious and depressed. Everyday I have to do some sort of exercise to get my running fix.

My dream is to run until I can’t physically run anymore. My long time goal is to run a marathon with my Cross Country friends. To accomplish this I have to continue running and gain stamina for the 26 plus miles of running. With dedication and hardwork I believe I can accomplish this.

The most difficult part about running is starting. Once you start running you will most likely not stop or quit. To be a runner you need discipline. This discipline transitions into aspects of your life because in running you train to not give up and in life you need that mental toughness to move forward. Training for something (like a race) is different from just running for fun because when you train for something you train harder and have more pressure towards doing good in the race. Running for fun, on the other hand, is more of a hobby since you run just to get the pleasure of running and to have fun.

Regardless of what type of running you do, you will experience moments of pain and moments of pleasure (runner’s high), just like life. It trains your mind to withstand the ups and downs of life. Running really is an incredible sport that improves your body, mood, and your overall spirit.