How a Run a Day Changed my Life, and How it Can Yours


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"I like running because it's a challenge. If you run hard, there's the pain - and you've got to work your way through the pain. You know, lately it seems all you hear is? Don't overdo it' and? Don't push yourself.' Well, I think that's a lot of bull. If you push the human body, it will respond." - Bob Clarke

When you read the title of this post, most likely you fell into one of two categories. The I love running category, or the I cant stand running and will never do it consistently category. For a lot of people its even a Love/Hate relationship.

We often associate running with words such as tedious, painful, and exhausting. But really, like most things, the hard part is always in the start. Before I get into the story of how running changed my life, I feel I should list general ways we can benefit from running. The way running has benefited me, most likely will be slightly different in the ways it would benefit you.

Benefits of Running:
1. Win the Battle of The Bulge
2. Prevent Muscle and Bone Loss
3. Maintain and Improve General Health
4. Stress Relief
5. Build Confidence
6. Improve Coordination
7. Train Your Mind
8. Meet New People
9. Fight Disease
10. Break Stale Habits

Now that the benefits of running have been made obvious, its time for my story:

Last year was one of the toughest years Ive experienced thus far in life. I was down in the dumps and broken to be quite honest. Even if you look back at my blogging history, you can tell. My heart wasn't into blogging, or much of anything else.

I refuse to go into a sad story and list all the reasons why it was such a bad year, for the sake of being positive. But chances are the tough times I was experiencing, most people have experienced as well. In life we often hit road blocks. I had hit a road block hard, and it took me awhile to get moving again.

Like most people who have been in a slump for awhile, I had that moment of epiphany. I knew I had to change, and I needed to drastically. At the time I was reading Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins and his story motivated me. Anthony Robbins had been in a similar situation, and he had that moment where he decided he just wasn't going to take it anymore. He decided that he was going to go out and run as hard as he could until he couldn't run anymore.

Thats exactly what I did as well. I needed to let out all that stress and pain. I needed to feel refreshed and alive. Running as hard as I could, for as long as I could, to the point of me collapsing in exhaustion, did that for me and forever changed my life.

The run I went on was like a rebirth. I felt new again, full of energy and confidence that I can take on whatever is in front of me. I urge you to do the same, do something that will push you to the limits, something that will make you proud, and thats physically rewarding.

After that life changing run I continued to run daily. The next couple of runs were almost just as hard, but then they got easier, but I continued to challenge myself. After that first run, my resolve became so strong, I decided that I would never settle for mediocre. I pushed the distances I would run weekly. I became physically fit, and happy. There was a new spring in my step and my confidence soared. I promise you, something simple as running can have the same effects on you as well.

My Tips on How to Make Running Can Change Your Life:

1. Run Outside: If you have the capabilities to run outside, go for it. Treadmills can be rewarding, but I feel that the fresh air plays a huge effect in creating everlasting change. Although I do not think I can prove it scientifically, my experience would be extremely different if I had used a treadmill instead.

2. Push Yourself: Challenge yourself each time you run. On that first run you will hear yourself telling you to stop and you will feel yourself telling yourself to stop. The aches and pains may seem unbearable, and you might tell yourself, "It's OK I'll just walk for a little while then start again" But you must remember why your doing this. Your doing it to make change! If you do what you have always done, or settle for less, you will receive what you always have gotten or less.

3. Be Consistent: Running can have all type of long term health benefits, but generally they don't happen over night. You have to be consistent in your running, and continue to push yourself to achieve the optimum results. Set goals for yourself and make sure you reach them every time you run.

4. Stretch Before and After Running: It may not seem like you need to stretch after, but it helps you get rid of lactic acid, which is what makes your muscles ache! Also, stretching your muscles will allow them to become stronger/faster and decrease chances of injury or strain.

"An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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