You know those crazy girls you read about all over the place who ACTUALLY LIKE RUNNING? The ones who will wake up at the crack of dawn to run a couple miles? The ones who sacrifice a chunk of their paychecks to buy a new pair of running shoes?
Yeah, I’m one of those girls.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: how on EARTH do you enjoy putting yourself through the tortue of running? But actually, running was my way of growing up and finding myself.
When I was a freshman in high school, I struggled with high-functioning anxiety. It prevented me from being able to enjoy going out with friends to the football game on Friday nights and spending time with my family on Sundays. My anxiety affected the relationships I had and stopped me from beginning new ones. I felt so stuck and tired, and I felt like nothing would ever be better again. However, one day I just decided that life is too short to sit there and wait for something to happen or someone to help me.
At the time, my mom was HUGE into running. She started with a 5K (that I insisted she do… so you’re welcome, Mom), moved her way to a half marathon, and then finally hit the point of running a marathon. She ran the Chicago Marathon, the Flying Pig, and eventually qualified for the Boston Marathon (but unfortunately she could not run this one). I thought to myself, “Hey, my mom is a relatively happy person. Why not try running and working out?” So, I did.
I started out super easy, maybe running a mile at a time. We had a membership at the local YMCA, so I took advantage of that membership and, when I FINALLY got my license, drove in almost every day.
Surprisingly, I started to notice a difference in myself within the first few weeks after I began working out and running regularly. I had lost a little bit of weight, toned up my legs, and thinned out my core, but I had also began to feel so much better. I smiled more at school, talked to new people, and even began to hang out with people on the weekends. However, I didn’t realize how much I had changed until my senior year track season. As I worked my way up in the ranks and eventually became team captain, I tried to inspire younger girls on my team by remaining positive and encouraging, and doing so with a smile. One night, after a track meet, I went up to one of the freshmen to congratulate her with a hug and a high five after she had just set a personal record in her event. What I thought was a simple exchange turned out to be so much more.
She texted me later that night and explained to me that she was so thankful for my positivity during meets and practices and how she saw me as a positive female figure in her life. This interaction brought tears to my eyes; I never realized I was able to impact people so immensely. Three years earlier, I would never have been able to even speak to the girls on my team!
I never would have guessed that I would have changed into the person I am today. I am so much happier, so much stronger emotionally, and so much more grounded in who I am. I was able to find my place in this world and eventually impact girls who needed someone to step up and stand up for them. All it took was a little bit of running to start out.
If you feel like you are stuck in life, all you need is a pair of running shoes, maybe a good running playlist (I suggest The Greatest Showman soundtrack), and a little motivation to help yourself. Begin by running or walking one mile each day. If this becomes too easy for you, take it up to two or three.You can do ANYTHING you set your mind to. Besides, every journey starts with one step.