The Benefits of Running and Staying Fit

Caption provided by: I <3 to Run

I have spent the past few months blogging about different aspects of running.  My topics were varied and included information on why I started running, the Proverbial High you get while running, Fighting the Mental Battle, and different ways of training including using an elliptical, as well as the benefits of running with a partner.

I really want everyone to understand that there are benefits both mental and physical that you can gain from staying active whether it be training and running races, or just getting out and walking through the neighborhood several times a week. A multitude of studies conducted over the years have identified repeatedly the benefits of physical activity, and the benefit of getting out and enjoying nature.

In my own personal experience, I find that while I am running I can let go of many of the things that seem to be bogging me down mentally. I feel that the time I spend running is time that I am spending to improve myself.  Since I started running almost 18 months ago, I have set several goals for myself, and as I continue to reach those goals I continue to set more goals. When I first started running, my goals were simple, I just wanted to get out and run for 15 to 20 minutes several times a week.  As I achieved that goal, I created a new goal by extending the time of my runs. Once that goal became easier, I then changed the goals that I was setting so that they were not related to the amount of time I wanted to run, but how far I could run. My initial distance goal was to run at least 3 miles. Then, a friend heard about what I was doing, and challenged me to run my first half marathon.  Initially, I thought there was no possible way that someone who had put their body through what I had put my body through would ever be able to accomplish such a goal. However, I decided I would take the challenge and began training for my first half marathon.

I have to admit that my first half marathon was nothing spectacular.  I hurt my knee within the first few miles and had to pretty much walk the remainder of the race. I did however accomplish my ultimate goal that day…I finished the race. It took me 3 hours and 16 minutes to finish, but I did it!  I took a few weeks off from running to allow my body, especially my knee, to recover and heal.  Although my body had taken a pounding that day, my heart and soul felt amazing!  It’s little wonder then that, when some friends were talking about another half marathon that would be taking place in Virginia Beach in six months, I started thinking about it.  I decided I was going to start training again, but this time, I was a little smarter about it. I did a lot of research, and started trying new training techniques, until I found what worked for me. After six months of training, I went to Virginia Beach with only one goal in mind, and that was to finish the race in under 3 hours.  I can say with a smile on my face that I finished in 2 hours and 9 minutes, which was a lot better than I had ever expected.  When I called my girlfriend to tell her the news, I was in tears.  It felt so incredible to achieve this goal!

Now I have been training for my next half marathon which is coming up in just a few short weeks, and I have set a goal for myself to not only finish, but to finish in under the 2 hours and 9 minutes that I finished the last race.  Ultimately though, as always, the primary goal in my mind is to just finish the race.

Caption provided by: I <3 to Run

  

The Final Countdown

I am looking at the calendar now and there are just a few short weeks left until all of the training I have been doing finally pays off. The months of running when it was too cold outside to feel my toes, so hot that I thought I was going to fall flat on my face, and pushing myself until it just plain hurt, all of this just to help increase my pace, are finally coming to a closure. Not that this one race is it, I am planning to run a couple of more races this year, but this is the one I have been waiting for since last September. The anticipation has been building inside of me, and I am ready to run this race, and start preparing for the next to come.

I have to admit that I love the preparation that goes along with getting ready for race day. All of the mental battles you fight with yourself to push your body beyond its normal limits; the constant fight with the little voices that try to convince you not to run today by telling you that you can do it tomorrow.  I have conquered those little demon voices, and will indeed have to battle them again.  However, once I finish the run on race day, it will validate all of the hard work that I’ve put into getting ready for the crucial day. In the end, all I really want to do is finish the race. I would love to set a new PR (personal record), but even if I don’t, and I just finish the race, I will be happy that I started and finished.

Benefits of Having A Running Partner

I have been running with a partner once a week recently, and I have found that there are a lot of benefits to having a running partner. Some of the things I enjoy about having a partner to run with are that it helps keep me focused on the task at hand, and it gives me someone to chat with while putting in the miles. It is very helpful as well, that she is also good eye candy while we are running. Of course, my running partner is also my girlfriend. She is interested in getting to the level of running a 5k without having to slow down or walk, so we are gradually working towards this as our goal together.

Last week, when we went running, we split up for the first time while on a run. She told me to go ahead, knowing that it was supposed to be my long run day. Of course, being a gentleman, I didn’t want to leave her on the path by herself.  She assured me that she felt safe with all of the other people walking, biking and running around the lake.  However, I was still hesitant.  It was then that she whipped out the “you better do what I told you to do while you have the chance, or else…” voice.  She didn’t have to tell me again!  While she finished up a 5.5 mile day, I pushed myself to finish up an 11 mile day. My unofficial time was 1 hour and 45 minutes. This is right in line with where I want to be for my next ½ marathon. She is a great running partner.

Caption provided by Active.com

There are many reasons to find a running partner with whom to train. I have found that it helps with motivation, especially if you are having a hard training day, and it is even good to have someone to run with on the light days, so that you don’t push yourself too hard. It seems that it is more difficult to cancel a running date with a friend, than it is to cancel a training day by myself. In doing research, I have found numerous other advantages to running with a partner, which you can find by following the link provided.