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5 Things I Love About Running



I have a love-hate relationship with running. I think most people can say the same about themselves and their own hobbies/lifestyles. But for now, let's just stick with the positives:


5 Things I Love About Running


1. The feeling of knowing I am better than I was yesterday




Never ever did I think I would be a runner in high school. Even when I was running regularly, I wasn't doing it for the love of the sport. Then in college when I stopped running, I doubted ever picking it up again. Now, I look back and think, "Damn girl, you showed you." Seeing how far I have progressed and how I've become a runner in itself energizes me to keep going out there.



2. Being exhausted



When am I not exhausted actually? I work too much, sleep too little, and from what my non-running friends say - run wayyyyy too much. But there is a whole new exhaustion felt when you finish your run. No matter if its 1 mile or 10 miles, the body is tired more than it was before. As someone who pushes through the heavy eye-lids and mental exhaustion, being physically drained makes feeling tired more tangible and not-so-easy to just push through.



3. The clothes




I live for sports bras and anything non-jeans. My job doesn't have a dress code, and actually encourages us to wear clothes that we are able to move better in. If I can get dressed in the clothes I'm planning on running in that day anyway, that's more day in between laundry days. And the conformability is irresistible!




4. Seeing my body be fit



This might be back to #1, but this is more about my physical condition less-so than my mental condition. Physically, I weigh the same as I did before I began running. But my resting heart rate ranges anywhere from 49-50 BPM. The average adult ranges anywhere from 60-100 BPM. I am not underweight (many people underweight develop low heart rates) by any means whatsoever, but my heart is just that conditioned that it doesn't need to pump as fast. My VO2 Max (maximal oxygen consumption) is currently 52. For those of you who don't know, your VO2 Max measures of your body's ability to generate ATP, and ATP is the energy source that allows your muscles to continue working while you are exercising. Therefore, by definition, a VO2max measurement is ultimately a measure of your cardiorespiratory fitness level. Olympians run around the high 50s and into the 60s; I must be doing something right if my level is that high!



5. It's my therapy



When I have a shitty day at work or something is going on in life that stresses me out, I am eager to get out and run. In that timeframe, it is just me, my music, and the pavement. The exhaustion grounds me and levels out my stress so I can handle what is going on effectively. And if I were to make whatever made my day so bad tangible, I am able to stomp it out with every strike to the ground. Not that I'm stomping for 4 miles (I feel like my form would be totally off), but I am just releasing all the ill feelings with every step and every drop of sweat.







I'd love to hear what makes you love your hobbies in the comments!

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