A few weeks ago, as many of you were celebrating National Running Day by well, running, I found myself ironically celebrating the day by not running and worse yet, defending running.
Yes ~ you read that correctly. For some strange reason, (well, not that strange, I was dealing with a sore back and tight hamstring that made me limp), everyone around me six different people in the span of 24 hours, felt compelled to ask me, "Why do you keep running?" or a slightly different version: "Do you really HAVE to run?"
The second question rolled off the lips of the sports massage therapist who had, in an attempt to loosen my hip/glute joint area, manipulated (read: grossly twisted and rotated) my knees so much that I ended up not being able to run for the next five, yes, five days, starting with ~ you guessed it: National Running Day. Thank, Mr. Sports Massage Therapist. And he wanted to know if I really had to run.
Well, let's see .... I'm thinking.... wait for it .... YES, I really have to run! And no thank you, I won't be needing the $5.00 discount for another appointment with you.
It isn't running that makes my body hurt.
It's all the other stuff: sitting for countless hours at a desk job in a cubicle cave, the sidebar illnesses that come with being diabetic, and the biomechanical imbalances that have resulted from old Navy injuries and accumulated years.
Running isn't bad.
Running doesn't damage you.
Being negative and lazy is bad.
Being negative and lazy does damage you.
Is NOT running an option? Um, no. Please quit asking what is to me, frankly, a really dumb question.
But Robin, you say you don't really like running... Why do you keep doing it? True, I'm not keen on the act of running. It's uncomfortable. It makes me winded. It makes me sweat buckets. Sometimes, it makes my chest hurt. Sometimes, when I try to sprint to the finish, it makes me feel like I'm going to throw up. Often, it makes my body ache for a little while. What? Muscles are sore from use??? Oh, no! Not that! That can't be good! And..... if I overdo it, I need a nap that would rival most bears in the winter months.
But hey, as Dr. Phil would say,
"It's working for me."
Yes, to all those who wonder aloud with a look of uncertainty or disbelief, and feel compelled to question my decisions, running is working for me. Finishing those miles feels good. Accomplishing a goal feels good. Demonstrating self-discipline feels good. Being willing to do it and committed to doing it even when it doesn't feel good, feels good.
You say you're too tired. Me, too. You say you're too busy. Me, too. You say your knees, back - fill in the blank - hurts. Me, too. You say you're too old. Not buying it. You say you're too heavy. How do you think you got that way??? (Been there, too.)
You say you can't.
You're right.
You can't.
Because you are choosing not to.
Choosing not to is (apparently) working for you.
Being negative and/or lazy is (apparently) working for you.
Humans were not designed to sit for hours
on a couch or in an office chair.
Yet many of us are doing exactly that.
We were designed to move.
Now, get up,
quit yapping and wasting energy,
quit raining on my healthy parade....
and move.
Walk. Run. Bike. Swim.
Just move.
Who knows?
You might even find that it's working for you!
Own your journey. From the "InsideOut."™
Own your journey. One run at a time.™
27 comments:
Love, love, LOVE this post! I get this all the time too (I think must runners do) or the ever ... deer in the headlights look followed by why put yourself through that ... to which I say ... why not?
I really think they are just jealous of our accomplishments, dedication, and commitment to something they are too lazy to try, and instead of doing something about it all they can do is put us down. The old "make yourself look good, by making me look bad" adage.
I am just glad that my boyfriend and parents are runners so I get support and encouragement from them instead of guilt and puzzling looks.
Excellent post!!!!!
"just move"
love it
"Running is bad for your joints"
I get that all the time.
My response? "Not as bad as being 40 lbs overweight and obese like I use to be."
Great post!
Interesting post, Robin. I'd like to play devil's advocate for a second though.
I'm glad that running works for you. And you really do seem to have a passion for it. But I think what many of these people might be saying is more along the lines of: do you have to RUN? Or is there another exercise/activity that might be better for you.
I have quite a few friends who I've "inspired" to become runners. They all tell me some version of: "I don't know how you do it... I just don't like running as much as you." And my answer to them is this: "then don't RUN... find something else you love to do and do that."
In fact, I've taken my own advice recently and have dramatically cut back my running for derby and volleyball-- team sports that give me a better sense of accomplishment than solo running. It's not to say I'm not still running/racing, but to tell people to RUN when they don't like to is likely to cause them to give up activity all together.
Again, I think your overall message of "Get up and move" is a powerful one. But it doesn't necessarily need to be running.
Awesome post! Way to tell NN & LL what's up and that they're not welcome around O-town!!!
Miss you!
I get tired of the same type of comments! Good post!
I think the kneejerk reaction to running is for people to shoot it down. If they aren't active, they may feel threatened by someone who is. They may think you're judging them - NOT because you are - because of their own insecurities about it.
So it comes off as "I'm going to attack your running before you get the chance to ask me why I'm NOT running." And it makes me feel sorry for people who need to downplay others because of their own (perceived) inferiority.
I get a lot of negative comments about choosing to run. Seriously...it's my choice and research doesn't support the comments/claims. Running doesn't hurt my knees...being 50lbs overweight does though....so, I run to help me!
Love your post!
This: "What? Muscles are sore from use??? Oh, no! Not that! That can't be good!" made me giggle. And this post made me love you even more!
You are such an inspiration!! I love this post, you put out there exactly what any person that has a love/hate relationship with running needs to say to people. When I decided to start running, people looked at me like I was crazy because it was something I've never done before. I exercised, but running wasn't my thing. People who question it are truly afraid of it and aren't ready in their journey to get out and do the same.
Thanks for this post! I might have to print it off for added motivation when I feel the need to complain/whine/whimper about putting in my miles!
Fantastic post!
Someone told me once they couldn't run because they love their pedicures and they'd seen my runner's feet.
What-eve!
It works for me, just like it works for you!
Keep at it!
Thanks, guys, for your feedback on this one. It's generating lots o' discussion - here and on FB. Touchy subject? :)
Cari, T/Y for playing devil's advocate. I love good dialogue! :) Fact is, you nailed my point exactly - that MOVING is what it's about. I'm definitely passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and making healthy choices. I don't always hit the mark, but I work at it every day. And so it is with others ~ my message: don't judge, find what moves you (both physically and emotionally) and get out there, whether it's running, walking, swimming, biking, or something else altogether different... just move. :)
Maddy, I actually had the pedicure situation take place at our local running store. I thinnk my husband had to slug me in the arm to keep from commenting louder than under my breath. "Said woman" had a beautiful pedicure...
r.
Awesome post Robin! It's all about quality of life...Excellent!
You rock!!!!
Great post, funny and truthful, I've been limping with an achilles strain for 3 weeks, can't walk right but still running, yes some people don't get it, but that's cool, the physio says I can keep running so thats what I will do. Now walking is another issue.........
Amen to that!!!!
I am guilty of being a Negative Nancy. I told my sister, after she fractured her hip from putting in too many miles per day and not eating properly, that she was nuts for continuing to run. I told my husband that he was nuts for training for a half marathon. But when I took the chance to think about it, both of them were happy. They were working toward a goal and accomplished it. They had a purpose. So I ate my words and began my training. You're right, it sucks some times, but in the end it's awesome! Thanks for re-inspiring me :)
FANTASTIC post! Love every word you said. :)
You're so strong Robin... I really admire you. Very much :)
Great post! Way to kick negative nancy and lazy larry to the curb!
Sorry to hear about your 5 day running drought! Ouch! But I LOVE this! I am always telling my husband "YOU choose your attitude." And the same goes with your abilities and goals, YOU choose what you're able to accomplish because it starts with choosing what you WANT to accomplish!
I LOVE this post. Can I email it to my nay saying friends? :p Being a heavy runner people tell me I'm damaging my knees etc, umm no all the extra weight is and it goes away when I run. Running makes me feel good, it's the first time I have enjoyed working out, it relaxes me, enough said :)
Nicely put!
When I broke the femoral neck (in the hip) A few people chided me with "Oh running can really mess up your body" or "it's so bad for your joints." My comeback is "doing nothing is worse." They shut up pretty quickly. My doctors NEVER told me to stop running, in fact they encouraged me to continue.
I loved this post and, like the others, I could REALLY relate to it!
Excellent... excellent post. I actually changed my doctor when I came to realize that he didn't really even care if I was doing any exercise or running. I had seen the man for 14 years, lost almost 90 pounds in a year and he never noticed. I told him I had plans to run a Half Marathon and he didn't even care. I have since changed my doctor to one who fully understands my desire to run, despite my setbacks. As you well know, I did the Disney Princess 2 days after my cast came off.
It gets in your blood, sometimes it is a love-hate relationship... but you got to move and you got to get healthy. That's the bottom line!
Awesome Post!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!
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