Can you believe that it’s Thanksgiving already next week? I don’t know about you, but the holiday season has been sneaking up on me again. I felt the same last year, but hey, I love the holiday season and want to soak it up as much as I can. It’s also a good time to reflect on the things that I am thankful for in my life. I am sure if I really think about it there are many more, but here are five things about running that make my heart happy.
1. I am thankful for my health and the ability to run. With so many friends going through health scares and tribulations, I am extra aware how lucky I am that I’ve been in overall good health for my entire life and that I can just lace up my shoes and go for a run. I don’t take this for granted and it’s my responsibility to treat my body well. A regular exercise routine and a healthy diet are part of that.
2. I am thankful for the stress prevention that running provides. Back before I started to love running, I hated running. I usually went for a run when I was frustrated or angry about something because I knew “running it out” would make me feel better. That is still true, but now I see the regular running more as part of prevention for stress rather than only a tool for relief. I feel more mentally balanced when I run regularly (if that makes sense).
3. I am thankful for the opportunity to get out into the neighborhood. Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have seen half of this town if it wasn’t for running. It provides a great opportunity to not only explore your own neighborhood but also to explore a new city (e.g. when you’re traveling). I pay so much more attention to my surroundings when I am out for a run (mostly because it distracts me from the – sometimes – hard part of running, ha!) and I just love getting to know the area this way.
4. I am thankful that running constantly teaches me new lessons – big and small. It makes me believe in myself and my own abilities. It boosts my confidence and humbles me at the same time. It always provides me with new goals to work towards and lets me experience the triumph of reaching new milestones.
5. I am thankful for the running community. Even though I usually run alone (no, I have not joined a running group although people constantly suggest it!), I’ve really come to love the running community that I’ve found online through Instagram and blogs. You guys inspire me, cheer me on and hold me accountable every day and I can’t thank you enough!
Why are you thankful for running?
I am linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 Linkup
Zenaida Arroyo
November 18, 2017 at 4:17 pmI am thankful for running because I enjoy it and because it is my “me” time.
Lisa of Lisa's Yarns
November 20, 2017 at 7:49 amI will be thankful for running when I can run again!! Hopefully next summer… It’s been so hard to not be able to run or really do any exercise besides walking. But I know my body is going through a lot right now between growing a baby and dealing with a never-ending string of RA flares, so what it needs now is rest. But hopefully by June I will be back at it!
Terra
November 27, 2017 at 12:47 pmYes to all of these! After a few injuries over the years, I’m thankful every time I get to go out and run, I’m thankful that it makes my stress manageable, that it’s a thing I can do by myself without any help from others and for all the things it continues to teach me.
san
November 28, 2017 at 8:07 amExactly!