Running is good for your whole self

What running means to me | 2 min read

“Running affects everything in a good way.”

Loved this line from Dr. Kenneth Poole on Minnesota Public Radio’s Wellness Wednesdays with Angela Davis. It reminded me why I love running.

I didn’t grow up a runner.
I tried out for track in high school. Couldn’t even finish the warmup.
When I was 28, I watched a marathon and felt inspired.

So, I started running.

First a 5K. Then a half marathon. Then a full.
Now, 9 marathons later, I run for so much more than exercise.

For me, running is:
🌱 Self-therapy: The fastest way to clear my head.
🌱 Joy and energy: There's nothing quite like the runners high.
🌱 Community: Bonding with others about life, the process, and shared pain (why do we do this to ourselves again?).
🌱 Resilience training: It reminds me I can do hard things. The hardest part is just getting out the door.
🌱 Humility: Learning to listen to my body, and that rest and recovery matter as much as the run.

Early motherhood is the same:
Start small. Build slowly. Push through the hard. And REST before you break.

🌟 Running is good for your WHOLE self 🌟

You don’t have to run a marathon, and it’s never too late to start.

Highly recommend this episode to anyone who is run-curious!

Running communities and stores (in Minnesota, some with national presence) featured in the episode:

Mill City Running - running store

Black Men Run Twin Cities - running community encouraging black men to get out and be active

Mile in My Shoes - supporting people transitioning from homelessness, incarceration, substance-use recovery and military service

Moms on the Run - running community for busy women, including moms

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