Sometimes being a runner feels like being in an abusive relationship. One day, I’m running, feeling incredible and euphoric, and gliding effortlessly along the trail, track, or road. Another day, I’m stumbling through 8:30 miles with legs that are seemingly made of lead and lungs that apparently started smoking a pack a day 17 years ago. Still, other days, I’m tormented by nagging pains with every step and contemplating whether a serious injury is on the horizon. Despite the rollercoaster of feelings and emotions that come with running, I can’t seem to leave the sport.
There have been multiple stretches where I endured injury cycles that spanned 12-24 months. Both times, when I was through to the other side, I told myself, “if I ever get injured again, that’s it. I’m leaving the sport.” Yet, both times, I came back. Both times, I got injured again. Every time, I return to the sport with even more love and adoration for running. I couldn’t stay away from the allure of effortlessly hitting workout splits, running along single track trails, and ruthlessly chasing after personal bests. But couldn’t I do those things (or the equivalent) in any sport? I can’t help but wonder what mythical power this sport possesses that pulls me back in with the strength of 1000 siren songs.
I’ve spent a fair amount of time researching this topic (and by researching, I mean running and thinking about it). My main observation is that running provides a euphoric feeling that I’ve been unable to reap from any other physical activity. Lifting weights, biking up mountains, nordic skiing in the forest, grinding out intervals on the elliptical, aqua jogging in the lake, and walking through nature are all great (well, some are more great than others..). They provide an endorphin rush and that feeling of accomplishment that I crave, but none of them hold a candle to running. In a conversation with a friend, I recently came up with my most probable hypothesis yet: the first activity that you become infatuated with will be your gold standard moving forward.
The summer before my junior year of high school, I became singularly obsessed with succeeding in track and cross country. Distance running was my passion, and I chased it, and have continued chasing it, wholeheartedly from that point forward. The euphoria, emotions, strength, and vulnerability that I have felt as a result of running, are unparalleled by my experience in any other sport. Therefore, my emotional and physical connection to running is so deep, and nurtured from such a young age, that no other sport will be able to compare. In essence, running is the first sport “language” that I was fluent in; while I can learn other languages, I will never be a native speaker.
With all of that said, my point is that the thrill, joy, and confidence that I reap from a strong running workout is addictive, incredible, wonderful, stupendous, out-of-this-world, remarkable, etc etc etc. I LOVE it so much. The other day, I had one of those workouts, and it had been over a year since that feeling had hit me in full force, but that workout immediately brought me back. It reminded me why I will never walk away from running. Watch the full workout at the video below.
