I try to stay pretty positive here on the good ol’ blog about my knee but today I realized how much I miss running. It has only been a little over a month since I have stopped running but it feels like it has been a lot longer and i still have about 2 months to go.
Will someone teach me how to match… pink, blue and orange. Really?
I started thinking about why I miss it so much even though I have found a new love in strength training and have been busy with so many other great things, but I think I figured it out……
1. No matter how grumpy, tired, moody, pmsee or upset I am if I go for a run I ALWAYS come home in a good mood. Even if it wasn’t a good run my mood changes for the better.
2. Waking up with blisters, chaffing and sore muscles makes me realize I accomplished something for myself and that I am getting stronger and pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
3. Feeling like the Garmin is my fifth appendage and constantly thinking about my pace, my mileage and challenging myself to a negative split:) Billy gave it to me for my birthday before we were married. He really motivated me to start racing.
4. I like competing and I really like passing men in a race. I actually get a high from it.
5. I love coming home to Billy bragging about my run, filling him in on my stats and telling him about any of my embarrassing running stories. He is so supportive to my addiction and always shows so much interest. Thanks boy.
6. Exploring new areas when running outside.
7. Watching 2 hours of Oprah and Dr. Phil during my long runs on a treadmill and not feeling guilty about it.
8. Lets be honest…carb-loading the night before a big race or long run is nothing short of awesome.
9. Making new friends that have your obsession for running. Thank goodness for new blog friends.
10. Feeling that I was born to do this!
Heck, my knee is already feeling so much better than it was a month ago…I WILL be back in no time!
Tell me the number 1 reason your run!!!
39 comments
Lisa
omg I love the pictures in this post! I know how hard it is to be sidelined by an injury (I've been so for most of this year). As long as you take the time to recover fully and don't push too hard when you can run again, then you'll be able to run for years and years more!
C2Iowa
I have to say that this is a great post. You have a good feel for who you are and where you are with running. The smiles in the pics say it all. Here's to you being on the road soon– cheers.
Lindsay and James Cotter
oh I've been there! I missed it while I was injured but I actually came back stronger and more thankful for the ability to run! You should try aqua jogging. It really helps too!
You can do this, your body will be so happy in the long run. Happy Monday!
LC
Lindsay and James Cotter
oh I've been there! I missed it while I was injured but I actually came back stronger and more thankful for the ability to run! You should try aqua jogging. It really helps too!
You can do this, your body will be so happy in the long run. Happy Monday!
LC
Lindsay and James Cotter
oh I've been there! I missed it while I was injured but I actually came back stronger and more thankful for the ability to run! You should try aqua jogging. It really helps too!
You can do this, your body will be so happy in the long run. Happy Monday!
LC
Jogging with Fiction
I love seeing what my body is capable of.
ERG
Great pics! You'll be at it again soon and with renewed strength :)
ERG
Oh yeah, I'd like to say I run for the money- but it's not true. On my good days, I run because I CAN. As long as God allows me the chance I will use it. So many can't.
ihearteggs
I used to run becuase I thought I "had to" to lose weight… now I run becuase I ENJOY it (on occassion) and I love using it as an excuse to head back to my hometown and run races with my sister in law. It's our "thing". :)
marathonmaiden
i love your matching skillz. we should run together because we'd probably hit every color in every shade out there hahah
love the pics :)
MW
I run because I feel good about myself while doing it. It's interesting to see what you can push your body to do. Oh yeah, and it doesn't hurt to feel like a total bad@ss when you go for a run when it's snowing or pouring outside!
misszippy
A great list of reasons there! You are keeping your chin up, which is really impressive. Pat yourself on the back!
lauravirginia
I just found your blog and I love it! Can't wait to read more!
irunyourun
Because just like you, I always feel better after a run than I did before. And save it for my run yesterday (where I should not have run with the flu), I never regret a run.
the dawn
i second all of your reasons. and the pic of you and billy makes me smile.
mr. dawn gave me my garmin for my birthday too! more evidence we are living parallel lives :) although, he gave it to me 6 weeks before my birthday, since my actual day was the day after a marathon…he knew i'd want it for the training :)
I love that you know you were born to run. you are such an amazing runner! i love to be around people that have the glow of doing what they were meant to do. it totally shines through!
oual
The picture of you on the podium kills me. Also, you might be terribly clashy in the top pic but look at those legs! You're allowed to clash if you've got legs (and a stride) like that.
Right now I'm not really sure why I run. It's been a chore for the last 3 months. Reading your list reminds me why I used to though…
hbobier
I run for the 20-30 minutes after a run. You know when you feel all drunk n stuff? Yeah. That. :)
Also, picture of snack will be sent to you. Soon. I just need to eat said snack within the next few days. Wow, apparently I need to talk myself into snacking. What's up with that??
cleaneatingchelsey.com
My favorite thing about running i shaving time to think for myself and feeling like I have accomplished something. It's the best feeling ever.
And, I'm out of the loop about your knee!
Keri
Ughh. I am sorry. You have been so supportive of my and helped me to find other interest and convinced me not to run until the knee is healed so now it is my turn to encourage you! You are SO SMART to wait to run until you are completely healed. You are only going to come back stronger and get that sub 3!
My number one reason for running is probably what it does for my mentally. Like you mentioned, it can completely turn a bad mood around…the runner's high is like no other and I have not been able to achieve it in any other activity no matter how much I sweat or how fast my heart beats. Not only that but running clears my head better than any drug ever could. I'm with you girl…I miss it…but hopefully the holidays can keep us busy and our spirits up because after they are over it is go time baby :)
Happy Feet 26.2
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Happy that it brought me to your blog to read such a great post. Girl – we're gonna be friends for sure. I'm a data obsessed runner – digits, paces, miles, etc. LOVE IT!
I run to eat, I run for the mental, I run for friendship, I run to set and accomplish new goals. I run for satisfaction!
Rae
Great pics! You are so pretty!
I hope your knee is as good as new in a month. You will be out there soon!
Meghan
Because it makes me feel so good and proud of myself. I didn't grow up doing sports at ALL. Nobody ever told me that sports make you feel good about yourself!
seejessrun
I run for a lot of reasons, but my favorite thing about running is the feeling I get right afterwards. What happened to your knee!? I'm sad for you. :(
mealsandmoves
You are awesome :) And I love the mismatchy look!!!
giraffy
Because I never thought I COULD!
sweetoothrunner
Aww this is a really REALLY great post! :) I run because I love it, and to show myself that I can do ANYTHING if I put my mind to it!
Hope you recover soon! You'll be up and running about again before you know it! :D
Jessica
I love competing and challanging myself! No matter what happens in my day, if I get a run in, I feel like I have accomplished something. Great pictures! Good luck with your knee!
Pretend this is real
Love the list! I recently did a similar one. Overall, though, I think my reasons change day-by-day. But everyday I have a reason. ;)
Angela
great question! i don't know why i run, i just love it! i started when i realized i walk as fast as some runners (true story.) hope your knee heals up real soon! i know what it's like to be out with an injury (it SUCKS!! :))
Jenn
Cutest EVER pictures and Great post!! I am SO glad your knee is feeling better and I have NO doubts you will be back in full running form shortly!! Actually, most likely better than full form with all the SMART crosstraining you've been doing!
I love the list! #5 rocks! I feel the same way and it is one of my greatest blessings!! I wish I could watch TV on the treadmill. It makes me nauseous.
OK-the one reason I run….to exercise my BRAIN:)
Zaneta
I LOVE this post and I LOVE your pictures!!! :D I love running because it's competitive and makes me feel so alive… I LOVE it! :D
solarpowered
I just started running again after having to take almost 2 full months off because of a partial tear in my calf muscle.
In that time, I missed me. I wasn't me.
I need to run, because it is part of me.
Restarting is slow and tough — but I can't wait to get out there every day and claim a little bit of me back with each run.
mealsformiles
Love your blog! I can totally relate – my IT band decided to act up during the last couple miles of the NYC marathon last week and it's not feelin' any better :( BOO. Just when I'm more in love with running than ever and I can't do it!
I love running because it's part of me and it makes almost every other aspect of life better. Best wishes on your recovery!
kathleen
i totally feel you. i am 35.5 weeks pregnant and so ready to get running again. i have been on the elliptical ever since i started having pubic pain. i keep telling myself i don't have much longer to wait until i can get back to running.
Susan
I love to run because…it makes me happy and I think it's fun! I don't consider it "exercise" which makes no sense to some people but total sense to me.
I looooooove passing men when I'm running…..best feeling ever, especially when I notice that they try to speed up after I pass them. :)
You look soooooo pretty in your pictures! I hope your knee gets back into shape soon!
Lisa
My number one reason to run is the same as yours – mood changer!!
My number one reason to race is for the high when pacing dudes.
Allison @ Happy Tales
Accck I know how hard a sidelining injury can be… I've learned to embrace strength training, too! And after about a month and a half of zero running, I am now running again!
I love running because like you said, it is a HUGE mood changer! And I find it very therapeutic. kind of like my "me-time."
Anonymous
I've been perusing your blog, at my sister's suggestion, and I feel so much better. I was just diagnosed with a stress fracture and I am almost at the date for my first marathon. I was full on expecting to kill it and am totally bummed. I think though through other activities strength training, cycling, and Pilates I'll make it through these 6 weeks… knowing full well Dr. Phil and Oprah await me on the other side :) Thanks!
Also, my favorite thing, probably the exploring part while listening to hours of music. I love it when I update my play list.