A Runner’s High

I love tRunning is addictive!o run. I love the feeling of knowing I can run as far as my heart desires without becoming fatigued. I love the time it gives me to myself and the clarity it brings to my thoughts.

To me, running is a form of meditation and if I don’t go for a few days I start to become anxious and moody.

But is this a good thing? I am the first to admit I have an addictive obsessive personality (my husband is the second!) and I have no doubt that running is one of my main addictions – but it could be a lot worse, right? Well, of course it’s a much healthier addiction than smoking or boozing but it is still something I need to be mindful of and keep control over.

The other day, during a short break in torrential rain, I found myself loading my precious little girl into her pram and heading out for a run. The clouds were looming, the wind was blowing a gale and I was trying to get in at least 7kms!

I got about 3 km down the road when I thought to myself, “What the hell am I doing? If it starts raining on us, I will be devastated.” So I turned around and sprinted home. As I opened the front door, the downpour hit. The universe was looking after me this time!

It made me think though – does it really matter if I miss a run? And when does doing something that’s “good” for you become not so good?

There is evidence that running is a great cardio exercise – it increases cardio fitness and lung capacity, strengthens bone density and regulates healthy weight. There is also evidence that it damages the cartilage of the knees and puts stress on the hip, knee and ankle joints as well as causing a myriad of foot problems. There are the lucky few who really are “born to run” (a great read Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World has never seen by Christopher McDougall!) but unfortunately I’m not one of them. I am with the other 98% of the population who suffer from sore feet, tight hips and hamstrings and I have a constant battle between yoga and running. I know running affects my yoga, but for the moment I don’t care enough to stop.

At this moment in my life, I am content in trying to find some sort of balance because for me, this is the key to a happy life, and I feel by being mindful of the fact that running could get in the way of leading that balanced happy life, I have to be satisfied by getting my “runners high” 3 times a week, no more no less.

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