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