Has running changed your life?

von Neumann

I can honestly say running has changed my life in a really unexpected way.

When ever things are getting on top of me.
I think you've felt this before,
Running a truely tough marathon and you got through that, you've been here before you know what you have to do.
These are lessons you have to learn the hard way.

Anybody else had this happen or am I just weird :eek: ?

(polite replies only please :pac:)

Andrewf20

I got into running to do a triathlon to get fit to do Kilimanjaro. Now that ive jumped onto this fitness bus with the cyling and swimming etc, id say its defo changed my life. Being fitter has me feeling happier. Its win win!

shels4ever

von Neumann wrote: »

I can honestly say running has changed my life in a really unexpected way.

When ever things are getting on top of me.
I think you've felt this before,
Running a truely tough marathon and you got through that, you've been here before you know what you have to do.
These are lessons you have to learn the hard way.

Anybody else had this happen or am I just weird :eek: ?

(polite replies only please :pac:)

Actually its the other way rund for me, Not running changed my life ..for the worse...

gerard65

'If I'm not doing it, I'm talking about it, if I'm not talking about it I'm thinking about it'. Read that somewhere and it sums running up for me.
Everything and I mean everything fits around running. Don't know whether thats good or not

christeb

gerard65 wrote: »

Don't know whether thats good or not

It's totally fine, at least around here!

As for whether running has changed my life? I haven't been running at the intensity or for as long as others around here, but I don't think there's any argument that it gives you more energy, makes you feel (and hopefully look) better and the gain in confidence that goes along with that.

So I would use the word altered instead of any profound change

TFBubendorfer

I don't subscribe to the nonsense that crossing the finishing line of a marathon is a life-changing event, but running has definitely had a good impact on my everyday life.

My wife says that I'm a much more patient and calm individual since I took up running. And the confidence I've gained since running half decent times in races has helped in different areas as well.

Slogger Jogger

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

I don't subscribe to the nonsense that crossing the finishing line of a marathon is a life-changing event, but running has definitely had a good impact on my everyday life.

My wife says that I'm a much more patient and calm individual since I took up running. And the confidence I've gained since running half decent times in races has helped in different areas as well.

I'm with Thomas on this one in terms of the positive impact. I was a more stressed, less relaxed and patient person 5 years ago. The health benefits and the physical effects (see thread on 'before and after') have been brilliant too. If I've a regret its that I didn't discover the joy of running at a younger age.

gaf1983

Well I've an increased lung capacity and better heart rate now. Also a dodgy knee. Also I didn't turn into a donut, which I was in danger of becoming before I got into this running lark.

That's just the physical side. Mentally, I agree with the above posters about it's calming qualities. It has benefits regarding diet and time-management skills: training regimes take a hell of a lot of time out of the week, so it means I've had to become better at juggling all my commitments. However, I've stopped indoor soccer, a bit of a downside for me, though when all things are considered I don't regret that decision because I wasn't going to risk getting scuppered by an injury from that in the run-up to the marathon.

So overall it has changed my life for the better.

Odysseus

Yes running has changed my life. I started to run again in 2003 the goal was to supplement by MA training. Fast forward 5 years and now I only to to train MA in my own gym room and I use it as a way to cross train. I haven't ran in over a week and will cross train today to get back into the swing of things.

My first race was the Bupa 10k in 2003 and from the I aimed for Dublin 2004. Since then I have done 4 ultras three of them being 100k and two desert marathons. I'm also signed up for the MdS next year so it has had a significant impact on my life.

When I signed up for the Bupa in 2003 I was aware of the MdS but had little belief in my ability to do it, that had now changed. Through running I have learned a lot about myself, as part of my training to become a psychoanaltic psychotherapist I spent five years in therapy, twice a week. Running has almost facilitated the same type of learing about myself the therapy did.

The qualities required to finish ultra distances where already there, the displince, the ability to tolerate pain, to switch off and just keep going, the ability to plan,finishing what you start, etc. However, running gave me an object to focus these qualities and develope them.

Because of that I have travelled to places I would never have visited staying in a refugee camp in the desert twice being an example. Living with these people is a hunbling experience and I no have a "second family" living there.

So in a very positive way I would have to agree that it has changed my life.

eliwallach

Slogger Jogger wrote: »

If I've a regret its that I didn't discover the joy of running at a younger age.

Amen to the above.
I only took up running last year and at the age of 38 I wonder how much better (?) I might have been in my 20's. Having said that, when I glance around the starting field of any given race the number of runners below the age of 30 are few and far between. Is it a more mature mans game ? (when we discover that we can no longer compete in the more physical contact sports)!!

To address the initial question:
Without a doubt my life has improved to an extent that a non-runner cannot comprehend, fitter, slimmer, happier, less stress, competitive, and as the finish times come tumbling down, cockier!
All this despite the injuries (how frustrating is it to be sitting out an injury for a couple of weeks) and trying to juggle work, family time, training schedules and race days.

Rosedale6

At school i used to love running and was in the cross country team at our school and did really well. When i was 19 i did the London marathon in a time of 3h 48mins. Then i started clubbing drinking going out with girls etc and stopped for over ten years. Ive just started again and im so unfit now i can only just mange to do a mile in under 10mintues and im really pushing it to do that. Ive also got a treadmill a few months back and am using that three times a week so im hoping that will help.

How often should i run in a week im doing 3days a week at the moment for about half hour and doing about 3miles. Should i stick at that for the time being or push myself even more. I want to be ready for the London marathon next year.

Slogger Jogger

Hi Rosedale,
The amount of training you need to do is a function of many things: your current level of fitness, what your target is, how much free time you have for running etc. If you're targetting London, and you simply want to get around the 26.2 then a basic Hal Higdon schedule might do the trick. If you google that you'll pick up a schedule. The likes of those have at least 5 training days, but some of those are short runs, with the bread and butter running done usually at weekends as you build your endurance.
Regards,
SJ

Krusty_Clown

Running has given me so much. I have never in my life been healthier or fitter. Confidence, discipline (for training) and determination.. and a drawer full of lycra.
Looking forward to recording some new achievements and PBs in 2009. Happy Christmas all, wishing you every running (cycling/swimming!) success in the new year.

Alicano

Odysseus wrote: »

Yes running has changed my life. I started to run again in 2003 the goal was to supplement by MA training. Fast forward 5 years and now I only to to train MA in my own gym room and I use it as a way to cross train. I haven't ran in over a week and will cross train today to get back into the swing of things.

My first race was the Bupa 10k in 2003 and from the I aimed for Dublin 2004. Since then I have done 4 ultras three of them being 100k and two desert marathons. I'm also signed up for the MdS next year so it has had a significant impact on my life..

Savage odysseus.your my kinda nutball!:)
Where did u do the 100k runs?.i'd love some of that.
Have done marathons but after an ultra and triple marathon(3 in 72hrs) this year id find it hard to get motivated for 26.2miles again.
Am looking for something really tough for 09?
What you got for me!:)
Thanks