Today’s post is about my running philosophy.
When did I start running?
I started running in high school. It was at my second high school that I was actually feeling ready to join a team and be part of something where I joined the track and field team.
Our field was Queen’s Park in Toronto, where we’d practice early in the morning by doing laps.
I hated it.
I despised waking up early in the morning just to sweat and then be all gross in my uniform at school.
Then I competed in one of the track and field events, even though I was the last one to run in the activities,
I will never forget how incredible it felt to FINISH that competition. I was there with a team of wonderful girls who wanted me to succeed, who pushed me to do better than I would’ve ever pushed myself.
I wasn’t overweight, I wasn’t unable to run, I had just never been told I could do it.
That’s what started this, my team pushed me to do it!
I was part of something that made me better.
What motivates me?
I used to describe my running as “inconsistently consistent” because I’d run for a certain period of time on a strict schedule and hit my goals and make progress.
But then I realized that being able to say I’ve been running since high school, is an accomplishment.
Finishing five 10k races is an accomplishment.
Heck finishing one 10k is impressive.
I volunteered at the Run for the Cure because I wasn’t confident enough to run the race yet.
Being there, handing out bananas and bagels inspired me to be the one eating the food instead of handing it out.
Two years later I ran my first race.
I wore my “I hate running shirt” and everyone loved it because most runners, who are like me, have a love hate relationship with running.
It’s not always easy to get my shoes on and push myself out the door, or onto the treadmill, but when I do, it feels amazing.
That feeling propels me forward.
The feeling of tracking my run and knowing that the goals I set for myself are being hit, pushes me to continue.
It’s not about weight loss, or health. This isn’t something I do because it’s exercise. I do it because it makes me feel good.
How running healed me
I’ve been through a lot of situations that push my anxiety through the roof.
One year, in December, my friend who had set me up with my first boyfriend, decided she would talk behind my back to him.
They had dated years before I was with him.
This situation caused extreme anxiety for me.
To the point where I got very drunk at Christmas and embarrassed myself at a family function.
Running healed me by offering an outlet for that anxiety.
There is no other activity that will calm me down completely besides running.
The feeling of runners high is truly magical.
It feels like you’re just going, and can do anything.
For anyone who has anxiety or finds that people and situations involving people create anxiety, I highly recommend running as an outlet for anxiety.
Runs I’ve done
I have finished the Sporting Life 10k run 4 times.
I run it every year since 2015 by myself.
It’s interesting to reflect on when i first ran this race.
I was in my first year of graduate school.
Back home in Toronto for the first time in 4 years.
After four of the most difficult years of my life. Also the first four years of my adult life at age 17-21
Dream run
Oh this has been a dream of mine for a long time, but starts somewhere even deeper.
I was very thin when I was young, and on my 12th birthday, my Godmother bought me a pair of Lululemon pants.
This started an obsession with Lululemon, Aritzia and the black basic workout pant.
This was a thing because of the area of the schools I went to.
In one of the wealthier pockets of Toronto, wearing Lululemon, hollister, Abercrombie, and TNA branded clothing was a requirement for social acceptance.
My interest in these brands has faded with time, except for Lululemon and Aritzia.
Lululemon hosts a marathon called SeaWheeze, in the summer time in Vancouver and after the run they have a huge party and celebration.
My dream is to run this race.
My dream is to be part of the Lululemon culture because I have loved the brand since 2006.
Why?
Because their clothes are simple.
Simplicity is the essence of beauty.
Where do you think minimalism comes from?
Simplicity.
It’s easier to wear black yoga pants with a pattern shirt than it is to wear patterned pants with a basic shirt, but still the need for basics is essential and vital to any fashion choice.
Remember…
Running is meditation for me.
It allows me to focus my mind and let go of the situations in my life that inflate my mind with anxiety.
Focusing on my pace, breathing, getting up a hill, and finishing a certain route.
It’s not for everyone, but I encourage everyone to try running for half an hour.
I hope that my experience can offer you some inspiration to start your running journey.
My philosophy for running is;
one foot at a time, just keep going
This applies not only to running but in my everyday life as well.
With light and love,
Blessings,
stay true stay weird.
~~ Kristina