If you follow any of my social media channels you will see that running is an important part of my fitness and mental health plan. Almost a year ago, I came down with an injury that really stopped me in my tracks.
I first started running about five years ago when I was going through a difficult time at work. The subject matter involved youth suicide and according to my doctor the reaction I was having was a form of vicarious trauma from being exposed to it day after day. I had gained a lot of weight, couldn’t sleep and was suffering from anxiety and depression.
We talked through what a plan to get back to wellness could look like, including meal planning, exercise and mindfulness. All things that I knew but had really slipped away given the hours I was working. It’s interesting when you are a single person it’s easy for work to become all consuming.
One of the suggestions he gave me was running. I had tried it before but it was really never my thing. But honestly, what did I have to lose. I downloaded a Couch to 5K type app, got my dog to come with me and had been doing it ever since. Before me injury had even run the distance of a half marathon. I had planned to enter one, but you know – COVID-times.
I went most of the winter focused on weights and not much more cardio than walking my dog. I tried running a few times but the pain just came back. So did a bunch of weight that was unwelcome. Seratonin and dopamine were coming from chocolate rather than exercise.
In June I started running again, taking it easy. I started with 5K for two weeks, then moving up to six, seven, eight and nine until I could run 10K again just after my birthday in July. It felt like the perfect present.
Now that it’s been almost a month of running 10K three times a week again I can’t get over the change. The cravings for junk food are gone, I’m sleeping well without Melatonin and almost ten pounds have just melted away.
I am so greatful to my doctor that he suggested running. Not only has it been part of my fitness plan, it’s also part of my mindfulness practice. Before I start out, I always do a 10 to 15 mindful breathing exercise to get focused and to stay present during my runs.
I need to keep running for the rest of my life.
