What did running do for you?

JustSomeEm
JustSomeEm Posts: 20,303 MFP Moderator
in Fitness and Exercise
I was walking into work this morning, and I realized I was standing up straighter. I think this is because when you're running, if you slouch you get side stitches (or maybe that's just me). In order to run, I had to fix my slouchy posture. So I was wondering - what did running do for YOU?

For me:
1. Helped with my crappy posture
2. Helped me shed tummy fat
3. Helped me get into better physical shape
4. Reminded me how much I love endorphins

Replies

  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    Can't run like I used to, but it has always helped me stay fit, improve endurance for sports, and really been good for balancing my well-being.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Helped me realize how much I love cycling...lol
  • Will_Thrust_For_Candy
    Will_Thrust_For_Candy Posts: 6,109 Member
    Made me realize that I really can do anything I put my mind to!
  • apple_22over7
    apple_22over7 Posts: 35
    Helped me lose 20lbs last year
    Given me a whole streak of confidence I never knew I had
    Given me new friends
    Given me new things to spend money on (that's probably not a good thing)
    Given me sore legs

    But mostly it's given me the realisation that I can achieve my goals if I really put my mind to it.
  • thatjosiegirl
    thatjosiegirl Posts: 362 Member
    1.) Shin Splints
    2.) Achilles Bursitis
    3.) Achilles Tendinitis
    4.) Sesamoiditis
    5.) MCL Tear

    Yea, me and running are no longer friends. :noway:
  • soxobsessed
    soxobsessed Posts: 130 Member
    1. Smaller clothes
    2. got me back into working out daily
    3. kept me from losing my mind during my divorce
    4. new friends
  • healingnurtrer
    healingnurtrer Posts: 217 Member
    Running was the first exercise I ever actually enjoyed. I started in college. It helped me get into shape. It was really cool when I'd go to the doctors for a checkup and they'd comment on how low my resting heart rate was.
    But this month I found out I have a bad kneecap misalignment and arthritis in my knees. I didn't know but my knees were probably misaligned from birth but running made them worse. The doctor told me I really should not risk running anymore. (And I'm in physical therapy now.) So sad!!
    On a happy note- I did try swimming laps for the first time today. (Since I was told not to run.) It's a pretty good cardio workout too and no knee pain! Can't bring my ipod though.
    Enjoy your running. I miss it.
  • RunnersLament
    RunnersLament Posts: 140 Member
    Confidence - I learned I could do things that people told me I couldn't. Running a full marathon when I was told I'd never succeed was the icing on the cake (that I threw back in their faces).

    Sleep better - amazing what losing 100 pounds does for your sleep

    Breath easier - I'm no longer winded walking down the street

    Pain Free - Running freed me from lower back pain... if I don't run the pain comes back, but that's what a herniated disk will do.

    Relieved Stress - I work in Information Security. It can be stressful. Running allows me to take my stress and grind it into the pavement instead of the family.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Helped me lose a couple of stone
    Added significantly to the number of pairs of shoes I own
    Led me to be comfortable going out the door in running tights
    And helps a lot from a stress relief perspective
  • tracydr
    tracydr Posts: 528 Member
    They do make waterproof IPAD housings and ear pieces. Check with some of the bigger scuba diving shops. Lots of the technical divers use them for their long decompression stops. ( as in hours and hours and hours). They listen to books and music, movies.
    I haven't bought one yet but it's on my wish list.
  • Chain_Ring
    Chain_Ring Posts: 753 Member
    running is for criminals. ;-)
  • DymonNdaRgh40
    DymonNdaRgh40 Posts: 661 Member
    Running helped to slim my waist, legs, and regain my sanity.

    I totally lost the fat a** I used to have as well.

    I'm getting her back slowly but surely:wink:
  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    Running has taught me to:

    Listen to myself; be that from niggling pains, inner thoughts, raw emotions running has taught me how to be in tune with myself

    Running has helped keep me grounded, and level headed. I can always count on a run to get me out of a funk, or whatever I need.

    Running is my meditation.
  • congruns
    congruns Posts: 127 Member
    Put me in a normal BMI after being in obese a year ago
    Learn persistence and patience
    Better technique to overcome shin splints
    Add 2 inches to my verticle
    Increase my craving and tolerance for spicy foods
  • Mishy
    Mishy Posts: 1,551 Member
    Changed my life.:smile:
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    it does everything for me. When I am actively training/running, my life gets better and easier. I am on top of things, and happy and relaxed.
  • kcmcd
    kcmcd Posts: 239 Member
    Taught me that I prefer just about anything else to running. Someday I might find the joy in it.
  • 47Jacqueline
    47Jacqueline Posts: 6,993 Member
    It ruined my knees.
  • shining_light
    shining_light Posts: 384 Member
    Shown me that I can enjoy healthy habits
    Taught me that "pacing myself" is a skill that I could learn
    Has given me a coping mechanism for depression outside of food(I'm still working on that)
    Cured my back pain from my sedentary job (I started having back problems at age 15. Pretty sad)

    And today it taught me that I need to tie my shoes tighter. Haha... Oops. Oww.

    ETA: It's also made me more motivated to strength train. I'm always motivated to lift after a run, and I know it's essential to keeping my joints strong enough to endure the long runs. My old boss taught me that a few years back, but I'm now realizing how important it is. 'Dem squats, deadlifts, and calf raises are my weightlifting cornerstone!
  • hermann341
    hermann341 Posts: 443 Member
    1. Helped me lose 35 pounds.
    2. Which helped eliminate the pain from my heel spurs
    3. Lowered my resting heartrate below 60 bpm
    4. Improved my sleep apnea
  • pope66682
    pope66682 Posts: 249 Member
    Lost 50lbs
    Fractured shin in two places
    Walking boot for 8 weeks
    But love it. Rather run than go to a gym
  • OnionMomma
    OnionMomma Posts: 938 Member
    It brings life into focus.

    I have truly learned to love it. Good days and bad days, running is there.

    I have learned to have more confidence in the body I have because well, it can carry me a damn long ways and that means more to me than being a size 0.
  • TheVevina
    TheVevina Posts: 46 Member
    I stress less.
    Actually, I dont think I've majorly stressed at all since I began running regularly
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    Helped me figure out what to do with all that extra money I had
  • pipertargaryen
    pipertargaryen Posts: 303 Member
    I've only started trying to run these past 2 months. I've been walking as my main form of transportation my whole life (I don't have my license, can't afford a car so I haven't bothered), and speed-walking for the majority. Lately, I've been doing about 65% walking and 35% running.

    I've suffered from depression since I was 11 (14 years now). I've dealt with self-injury (and self-loathing. And anxiety) for just as long. Since I started pushing myself to run, I have been an entirely new person mentally. My lungs (smoked from 2008 til March this year) are not quite there to let me go full-out yet, but my mind and body have been strengthed just trying. That's worth more than every calorie burned, every personal best time, every longest distance, etc., in the world. :heart:
  • ew_david
    ew_david Posts: 3,473 Member
    I have a love/hate relationship with running. I don't love it, but I miss it when I haven't done it in awhile. Running got me to the finish line of two 10k races. It lets me buy cool shoes. It gets me outside. It lets me see what I'm really made of. I'm not much for distance, but I love sprinting.
  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,303 MFP Moderator
    These are great! For those of you that have had some bad experiences, I'll share one of mine - I have managed to trip over my own feet while running, and face-planting on pavement in front of my neighbors. Still love to run, though. It's a MAJOR stress relief after a long, frustrating day spent with people I'd rather poke in the eye than be civil to... :P

    Running relaxes me.

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