A while back I started running. I’m not really sure why. First my neighbor and I were going in the wee hours of the morning and then I was running on my own. And it was nice getting out early chatting with a friend as we made our way around the neighborhood. And it was nice by myself running with my head phones on blaring Born to Run.
I brought new running shoes and cute running clothes. I thought, “I am a runner”.
It felt great when I was finally able to run a mile without stopping to walk. And it felt even better when I ran 3 plus miles in my neighborhood, on my own in the quiet of the morning.
But then it stopped feeling good. First my knee started hurting, then my ankle. So I got a brace and it sort of helped, maybe a little. Then my back started to hurt. And it was dark and early and colder.
A month ago I stopped running because I am not a runner. I am not someone who thrills at the idea of running a marathon, though I wish I was. I’m not someone who aspires to train or to devote hours to running. I don’t sport Under Armor. I’m really bad at pacing myself and my shoes are always coming untied.
I am not a runner. And it is ok, totally ok.
You see I kept seeing all these friends on Facebook or elsewhere talking about how they run. I saw there status updates of how far they had made it on Couch to 5K or their check ins at the gym. And I wanted that. I wanted to be able to shout to the world, “Hey I exercise, I stay in shape, I care about being healthy too”. And that is true I do exercise and to do try to stay in shape and eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle.
I am not a runner but, I can still be all of those things. It was that realization that made it ok that I wasn’t a runner. I could be tons of things that other people aren’t a writer, a mother, a cook.
I’ve been reading The Happiness Project and in the book Gretchen points out that just because something makes someone happy doesn’t mean that it has to make me happy.
I’ve learned that I can’t define myself by what makes others happy. And I can’t define myself by the things I can’t do.
I am not a runner. It’s not for me, not right now, maybe not forever. Maybe come the spring when the weather warms up I will lace up my shoes and run again or maybe I’ll walk to my neighbors for a glass of wine. Either is fine.
I wasn't a runner, but now I am. But you are right, you don't have to be a runner to be healthy! Do what makes you happy, even if that's Zumba! I have many friends that stay in great shape thanks to Zumba! Me, I don't move that way.
I used to love Zumba but I haven't done it in so long. It's so much fun even if I know I look ridiculous doing it.
Thank you! I'm a walker, not a runner. But all too often I see friends posting about their daily runs, or training for various runs, or how awesome they did in various runs and think I should be doing that too. But it doesn't work for me, and that is ok too.
Yes I know what you mean, I felt the exact same way.
I'm not really a runner either and I admit that it still frustrates me. I want to really enjoy it and I want to be fast and able to pace myself and have long running goals. But blah it just doesn't do anything for me. My form is bad, I hate the sun, I hate the cold, I hate the wind, there are so many things I don't like. Right now I am loving crossfit. So that is working for me. You just never know what is going to work for you!
I love your comment because I feel the same way I hate the elements and I can't pace myself.
This is exactly how I feel about it. Like I should be able to and I could shout about it on fb, too. But I've tried- it's just not me.
I'm glad I'm not the only one.
When my husband and I started dating, I thought I would take up running because he is a marathoner and has the uncanny ability to wake up at 4:30am on the hottest day of the year and run 20 miles before 8am so he doesn't adhere to the sidewalk in the sun, but I found out very quickly it wasn't for me. However people ask him all the time, "Does your wife run?" and when he answers "No" they always have a strange look on their face or say something like, "That must be tough, does she keep as good care of herself like you do?" I mean really? Just because I don't run doesn't mean I'm fat and lazy and eat bonbons all day.
That really is awful that people would say that, just because you don't run doesn't define your level of fitness.
I'm not a runner either. Even back when I did run. I enjoyed it for a little while, but it wasn't what got my heart racing. Yoga is my true love.
I feel the same way I liked running for a bit but then it just wasn't for me. I need to try yoga.
I agree with this. I am NOT a runner. I'd keel over if I ran. I do try to walk though. But running? No.
I like walking, especially when I can just go out by myself or with my dog, it really helps clear my head.
Oh gosh, I just love this. The part about just because it makes someone else happy… exactly!
I think running is easy to get caught up with like that because you can post your distance, time, etc. It's different than "I just did Zumba!", even though that is totally legitimate (and super hard!) too. And it is easy to say "I'm a runner" instead of "I am a Zumba-er". 😉
Good for you, Julia.
Thanks Elaine! I've been trying to focus on the whole, "just because it makes someone else happy" thing a lot lately. It's so easy to get caught up in what other people enjoy. I used to do Zumba all the time, I really miss it.