How your emotions affect your running?

Today I felt like a sloth.  

I just could not get my legs to move any faster even if I tried.  I had a 5 mile ‘naked run’ on the schedule so there was no music and no checking the garmin until the end.  I had my nephews with me riding their scooters, I was in my favorite canyon, my legs are recovered since my last hard workout and I was plenty hydrated and fueled but I just felt super weighed down from the first step all the way until the last step.  I might be going out on a limb here and being overly dramatic (like usual) but man… my emotions play a HUGE role in my running.  Today was one of them but tomorrow will be much better.

I feel like I am finally in a place (almost 2 years since I separated from my ex and 1 year of being divorced) that I can take running more seriously.  Emotionally I feel like I am in a place that I can do the training that it takes to get my sub 3 marathon without letting all of the different emotions of the last few years affect my runs/goals.   BUT of course there are still hard things that we all deal with in life and today I felt weighed down because of some of them.  The difference is now I am able to bounce back a lot faster than I did right after my divorce.  

How some emotions affect my running:

Angry—>  Speeding bullet.  I feel like I am on fire and I crave running as fast as I possibly can.  I race really well angry as well as happy:) 

Sad—>  Legs and head feel heavy.  I am too busy thinking about whatever the problem is to pay too much attention to my running….. good thing I always come home from a run in a much better mood than when I left.

Happy—>  I can usually nail the workouts and my performance is based a lot on how my body is feeling.  I am thinking more positively and that transfers over nicely to some fast times.  I don’t feel weighed down with stress and my runs go really smoothly.

Peaceful—>  One of my favorite emotions… I love when everything in life feels calm and I’m at peace with life/decisions/relationships etc.  It doesn’t mean things are perfect but I just feel super right about things.  Does that make sense? My running feels light and easy paces feel even easier.  

Anxious—> Doesn’t really affect my running but I feel a heck of a lot better about situations after a run.

Tomorrow will feel a lot better:)  

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I did love having these two cool cats with me (well, up ahead of me the whole time).  They get me laughing pretty hard.  

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Some randoms:

Brooke is loving all of the extra cousin time these days. 

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They gave her a donut and she did her usual ‘eat all of the sprinkles off and leave the rest of the donut behind’ thing.

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One more picture of these two together because it makes me happy.  

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I was VERY happy to see that Katie and Meg are already sporting their ‘I’m Hungry Because I Run’ shirts!  THEY LOOK AWESOME ON YOU GIRLS!

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Instantly Open Tight Hips With These 8 Stretches—>  I’ve been loving these and they have been helping my right hip out big time. 

6 Exercises to Work Your Glutes—>  TRY THESE!!! Strong glutes are key in preventing injuries and getting stronger!

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How do your emotions affect your running?!?

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66 comments

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I definitely relate to emotions affecting running! Anger and anxiety will make me faster for sure. I think in the past running helped me escape my feelings more than it should have. Running can be great for managing stress but it’s also easy to get lost in it and turn away from feelings!

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Emotions 100% affect my running! I think your descriptions are spot on – angry or happy and I can nail a workout. Sad/down and I feel lethargic and like I’m just putting in the time but it is much harder to hit a goal. I feel that way if I’m stressed too. But regardless of how I’m feeling when I start the run, I always feel better after! Today I’m happy, so I’m expecting a good run!

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The biggest psychological factor FOR ME that affects my running is WORRY. Angry, happy, sad, content – those all pretty much play out the same way, but if I’m worried, my run goes horribly. I feel uncomfortable the whole time and on edge. And what’s worse is the worry snowballs… I can go out for a run with one issue and come back with 8 more! Yikes.

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Yes, definitely worry. I can’t even run or have to stop early. Awful emotion.

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I am currently going through a divorce and I just started running to deal with the stress and anxiety that come with it – It sure does help! I have never been a runner, but man.. when I have angry moments, which I think that is the stage I am in right now.. I feel like I could run forever! I always feel much better after a run, too.

It is so uplifting to see a single mom like yourself and see how you are not only getting through the turmoil of divorce, but really thriving. It is really inspiring and gives newbie single-mothers like myself some hope!

PS.. My daughter is Brooke, too!!

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Keep up the good fight. Divorce sucks b@lls & kudos for starting running. I think fitness saves me. :)

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Frustration and sadness can negatively impact my run, and happy/peaceful feelings do boost my runs. Usually, running helps me rein in any bad emotions, so no matter how I fewl when I start, I have a better grasp on the situation after I run.

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Anxiety affects my running big time. I am a worry wort by nature, so if I’m stressing or anxious about something, I will not have a good run or possibly skip it. I’ve had some of my best runs when I’m sad because it takes my mind to a happier place. So as long as I’m not worrying about anything, the other emotions don’t have much of an impact.

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I can totally relate to this post! When I’m feelings down, my runs are slow and heavy. A bad run just leads to more negative talk. I try to join some friends and they instantly put me in a better mood!

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im looking for some new to me jogging stroller safe running spots-I live on the draper/alpine line…any suggestions? thanks!!!!

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As I was reading your emotions, I thought how every time I’ve felt one of these emotions I recognized the connection to my fitness and how they affected my performance. But never have I put a pen and paper to it to really see it in black and white. It almost makes me want to think that I need to adjust my workouts based on my mood. Do things that relax my body when I’m upset because if I workout too hard and push too hard through that heaviness then maybe getting injured is a greater risk. Food for thought!

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I actually don’t find that my emotions affect my running. I use my run as a chance to zone out and not have to worry about what’s going on in my life. I’ve never needed therapy in my life and I think that’s mostly thanks to running through all my problems! Like you said, we always come out a lot happier after getting our sweat on.

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wishing you a day of feeling better tomorrow!

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I love that running picture of you! And mmm donuts!

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Emotions affect ev.ry.thing. When I am having bad days I can barely even get myself to workout even knowing that it will make me feel better. All I want to do is wallow in my self pity…which does nothing. So here is to a better run and a better day in general tomorrow. I love you girl!

I run fastest at night. I think because I let my imagination get to me and I get scared. Cause I am, you know, basically 7 years old.

I love that you went running with your nephews. What a great example to them of how running is fun and something we do to get going, move our bodies and help our mind…rather than something we do to ‘punish’ ourselves. Love it.

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I think sometimes running can also provide a release from negative emotions, if that makes sense. If I am feeling down, I can go for a run and get a little extra endorphins/adrenaline/serotonin/dopamine flowing through me and then I am feeling fine! Gotta love those brain chemicals :)

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I stress a lot about things in my future that I feel like I can’t really control (finding Mr. Right, finding the perfect place to live, etc) and when I run I like to tell myself to leave my worries on the trail and run towards gratitude for what I DO have. I also pray which helps :)

I hope you have a relaxing night!

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I agree that emotions play a huge role in running as they do in every other aspect in our lives. I felt like Sunday was a “heavy” day for me (we deal with an intellectual disability in my house and sometimes the fear of the future is a physical mass I can feel)…BUT I Sat in church and listened to a most appropriate message -greatness comes with a price. You are doing great things and will continue to by empowering women, girls, moms, and people you will never truly know to run and be healthy through your words, experiences, and willingness to share it with us. You hang in there, in the end, it will be worth it!

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What a beautiful route you ran!

My emotions definitely affect my running at times, especially when I’m feeling down. Those runs are the most challenging.

I hope your next day is better. Just remember: “You are valued. You are loved. You matter.” I think it’s key to remind yourself of that–especially in times when you need it most. Thank you for being YOU!!

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Emotions totally effect the way you run. Seems like mine are quite a bit like yours. My coach used to purposely make me mad right before a race so that I would do better. Usually he would do this by telling me he wasn’t going to run me unless we needed an alternate….ugh. mean.

When i’m sad I don’t do well. I feel like every thing is heavy and everything hurts.

But, like you happy and peaceful runs are the best. I feel great through them and during them. I feel like I can go on forever.

Hope you have way more of those runs soon!

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I used to literally run away from my problems and zone out. But it made me crabby because is get home, stop running and the problem would still be there.

Now I try to be more mindful of how I’m feeling all the time and listen to my body. Sometimes this might be doing a hard sprint when angry, or doing a longer stretching sequence when needing to wind down. Or doing a relaxed easy pace when feeling at peace and wanting to soak it all in. I enjoy my running a lot more now.

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It’s the most cliche thing to say, but running is therapeutic! Plus it gives you endorphins so if you’re not happy at the start, it’ll help give you a push :)

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Janae-I am not much of a runner, (I sprint or push the prowler 1-2x a week) but I am a lifter. My emotions affect training big time and it has been a process to learn how to use my emotions on the bar…or in your case uses your emotions on the pavement or whatever terminology may work here :) I think you said it so well that you learn how to bounce back more quickly now-it is so important that we show ourselves grace when having an off day or feeling blah or sad or whatever it may be. I think recognizing the feeling is importance, realizing how it is affecting us (whether it be our runs, relationships, etc.) in that moment, and then letting it pass. I used to perseverate on the emotion (typically a negative one) and get so mad at myself for letting it interfere with my training in the gym, and for not being perfect to a point where it would just spiral out of control and I would get really, really down on myself for not performing “perfectly.” I have come so far in that and its all a learning process..and we get stronger and better every day. I don’t even know if this makes sense but it was very therapeutic to type out :)

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Gosh the photos you post of your running routes make me want to move out to Utah! I am so jealous of the beautiful scenery (I live in NYC).

Emotions definitely affect my running. Sadness = tough time moving, breathing, etc. Happiness = great, fast runs.

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My emotions are definitely a big factor in my running. When I am sad I struggle big time to get up and run but I usually feel better afterwards, even if it is only for a short time. My best runs happen when I am happy which only adds to my happiness. It is like one big happy loop!

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I can totally relate. Running and exercising has always been a way for me to either “run” away from my emotions or enhance them. When I’m happy or at peace, I love workout out because I get a lot more out of it. I often finish the workout much happier or peaceful. When I’m feeling sad or angry, I like to go on a run in order to stop those feelings and sort of take my mind off of them. I do find that my workout is usually not very productive when I’m experiencing these emotions, because I am always so focused on them.

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I think the sad one weighs us down because there are 10lbs of tears in there waiting to be released. Probably if your nephews were not there you would have released those.

Tomorrow will probably be better, but don’t force it to be so. You will come through it in due time.

xoxo

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Is there an emotion that makes you completely NOT want to run at all? I love your attitude towards running.

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I’m so happy to hear “life after divorce” happens….and that running/fitness helped you get through it & that…it was effected.
I’m…maybe 2 months post-seperation…trying to work out every day…trying to get in those endorphins. :) thanks for posting.

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I agree with you 100% – my mood does affect my running as well but I also agree I feel way better when I am done. So, whether I am feeling down or happy there is no excuse not to go for a run. When I am down – running makes me feel WAY better so it motivates me to run even if I am sluggish. When I am happy then I enjoy the run and feel incredible after – endorphins really are the best! Hope you feel better soon! :)

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My emotions don’t really affect my running. I feel like regardless of my mood I will run how that day is supposed to be. I’m not a really emotional person to begin with but if I’m upset or happy, running always makes it better and enhances it.
I feel like only non emotions affect my running. Like being sleepy or my daughter. haha

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I’m with you on the angry….i always have amazing runs when I’m angry.
When I have a mind that is racing and anxiety even the worst run still makes me feel better mentally but I guess my expectations are always more about feeling good emotionally rather than nailing splits.

Sometimes when you don’t have a specific goal (i.e. the whole naked 5 miles) it is easy to get sluggish and feel lethargic.

Glad Brooke has so much cousin time lately!

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Running is the tool I use to process pain, whether it’s sadness or anger or anxiety, anything that hurts me on some level. I tend to run hard when I’m angry, and I tend to run more when I’m anxious. I left the house yesterday feeling like the whole world was against me. I had a mental list a mile long of everything that has gone wrong in the last 6 months but by the time I turned around at my halfway point, I had sorted it all out into sections. I bit off the stress and chewed it, one mouthful at a time until I didn’t feel like I was choking anymore.

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Great metaphor!

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Thanks Stephanie!

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There are so many highs and lows throughout life, but one thing that will remain constant is running. Thank gosh for it! :)

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I love this post. And I’m so sorry you were having a rough day. But selfishly I needed this post, to remind that emotions really do affect performance. I have the same results when running sad and it’s been happening a lot lately. Rather than recognizing it was my feelings coming through in my run, I’ve allowed it to get me even more down and it’s a vicious cycle. Thanks for the reminder! Good perspective.

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I am a very emotional person and when something is weighing me down I feel it in all aspects. I totally relate with the same emotions your were explaining!
By the way the picture of you running is totally awesome!

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I feel the same way when I am sad and trying to run. I have never been one to say that “running is my therapy” because I usually just want to crawl up into a ball on the sad days. My best runs happen when I am half awake and unaware of any emotions going on. Weird, but true.

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Emotions definitely affect my running, specifically, the sad runs. They’re just not as satisfying as any of the other emotion runs, which usually gets me down a little more. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you!

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Emotions and running go hand in hand. I feel like very often the days when you least want to run (Because of feeling sad, angry, nervous, etc) are the days you need the run the most. It’s usually those days that I struggle to lace up my shoes, but am so glad I did after the fact!

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I just got my shirt today! I am super excited to put it on for my run tomorrow! My emotions don’t change my running too much, but if I am running angry I am seriously flying. I usually feel better afterwards because it gives me a chance to sort through the issue(s).

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OH YAY!! Let me know what you think! Yep… angry running = speed city! Running helps so much!

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Emotions affect any kind of exercise I do. When I am going through something tough I try and channel it into my workouts. There are definitely days when I may be too upset to work out and instead I just need to go through the feelings instead of trying to mask them. Hope you feel better soon…I’m sure running will help you get there!

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Yes, my emotions definitely impact my running but I 10000% always feel better afterwards than I did before a run.

Today was a day that my emotions SO overtook me that I actually didn’t do my evening run. I was so looking forward to it on my drive home from work but had an issue with my daughter (16 year old) when I got home. I was proud of myself for not losing it and yelling – I just spoke calmly – but I think the effort it took to not blow up sapped all my energy!

I cooked and cleaned instead which is a different kind of “win” I guess although I’m sad about skipping the run.

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I started running when I was going through one of the most emotional times of my life and dealing with the death of my father. Running was an outlet and a healthy coping mechanism that allowed me to process and think through my emotions over time and without distractions. I truly believe that I would not have handled his death as well as I did if I didn’t turn to running. Now, whenever I am down, sad, upset, frustrated, or anxious, I run to process my thoughts and work through the issues. Running is a beautiful thing.

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I have had some runs where the tears are flowing down my face. During those times, it may be hard to get out the door, but it is so worth it!! I always feel better. Always.
I love our sport.

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I’m sorry you didn’t have the best run today!! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time I can see how serious youve become about running and how devoted you are to your training/sub3 goal. I think these runs are an important part of the running experience! These are the runs that truly make you strong.

I have a difficult time running through severe anxiety. When I’m extremely worried or preoccupied with something I just can’t get ‘in the zone’! It’s my downfall.

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yep i totally get what you mean. seriously whenever i get angry or stressed or whatever i’m like “i need to run NOW” and it always helps the situation :)

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Whenever I have anxiety running actually helps me cope with those emotions. Whenever I’m stressed I can go for a run and everything just kind of fades away for a little while.

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I hate to admit this but when I feel sad a lot of times this deters me from running at all. In the past there have been times where I have overcome this and gone for a run which always makes me feel much better.

Thanks for the shoutout!! I love the tank it is so comfy.

I hope today is a better day for you!! Sending love your way.

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Usually if I’m in a bad mood or being especially grumpy and short-tempered with my husband, I find it’s because I need to exercise. Sometimes it’s hard to feel like a run will help the situation, but once I get back I’m in a much better mood and feel silly about whatever little fight we were having before I left. Gotta love endorphins!

I also love to run when I’m angry. If I can immediately walk away from the situation and go on a run, I feel so much faster and like I can run forever!

I hope today’s run is easier for you, stay strong!

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I had a run like that a couple of days ago. My body and mind were just in two very different places. Most of the time I just keep going, but this time I just stopped and decided to leave my run for another day. I think if I’d maybe been running with someone, it might have taken my mind off things, but that’s not always an option.. Hope your next run is better :)

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Don’t forget Janae – not every run is supposed to be or will be AWEsome. It’s the nature of the beast.

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I totally agree that emotions affect my running. And running affects my emotions. So I guess it goes both ways, but running affects my overall emotional state way way way more than the other way around. Before I started taking running more seriously, I struggled with a lot of anxiety, comparing myself to others, and feeling inadequate in a lot of life situations. I used to let things get to me and stew over them for a long time. Now that I’m a “real runner” (haha) I may still struggle with these emotions and feelings, but running allows me to process through everything and move forward.

I hope things go better for you today (i know they will!). and keep reminding yourself that any negative emotions or feelings are temporary, and while the moment might not feel very nice, everything truly is fine.

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I don’t know if it is a specific emotion… but there are days that I just can’t make my legs move! I am a huge spin fanatic… and random days, i just can’t go as fast or have the endurance I had the class before.

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I can definitely relate, Janae! My emotions impact my running and its usually sadness or worry that weighs me down during runs. Anger definitely gives me the boost to push it hard as if I am leaving it all out there on the pavement when I am done. Therapeutic? I think so :-)

Great attitude to have and brighter days are ahead!

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I live in Utah. What trail is this? It is gorgeous and I would love to try it!

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I don’t know that my emotions affect my running all that much. I just know that whenever I’m feeling angry or sad, a run always helps!! Sorry for whatever is bothering you. Hope it works itself out soon!

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My emotions most definitely effect my running, for worse or for better! I hope that things get better for you! Just remember you are amazing and Heavenly Father loves you :)

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Totally relate! The sad really gets me. I get caught in the circle of “I’m sad, I don’t want to run, but if I run, I’ll feel better, but I’m sad and I don’t wanna.”

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Emotions definitely play into how a run (or any other workout). I think running, especially naked running (sans watch, headphones) is a GREAT way to adapt to running in all mental situations. Your coach is super smart to have you do this-sometimes headphones are a crutch to sort of guarantee a quick run due to pumping tunes. I am slightly embarrassed to say this, but I only use headphones about once a year. You have had a few kick booty weeks of training! Plus, it’s such a bonus to have kiddos on their scooters making you laugh.

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Emotions definitely play into working out! I do love how much better I feel though after any workout.

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This is a little unrelated to your post, but do you wear eyelash extensions? If so, do you find them hard to manage/maintain as an active person? Thanks so much! Love reading your blog!

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I felt pretty sad today when I was running, and I don’t really know why. I just knew that I didn’t want to run, and that I didn’t have the energy for it. So, yeah, sadness just makes me quit after a measly mile.
Anger makes me either want to stop or keep going.
Happiness makes me excited to run. Heck, I can even complete a hard day at track practice. xD

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I’m glad I stumbled across your blog today; it makes me feel better that others feel the same way when sad, and I like how a lot of people can keep going. It made me happier.

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