Why Run? Reason # 1

Today is January 1st, 2013 so before anything else, I would like to greet all you (3) loyal readers out there, a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


Second of all, I ran 5km today and I really, really didn't want to do it!  I wanted to rest, lie in bed, sleep, in short not do anything at all but laze around!!  I didn't want to do it but I HAD to. 

And in that running, I realized that there are days when we don't want to run at all, when we are just too lazy to do it, we whine, we complain, etc., etc., etc., and that's already us runners complaining!  What more for non-runners!  How do we convince them to put on a pair of running shoes, shorts and shirt and just hit the road when we ourselves aren't motivated to do it on our own!

So I thought of this, not just to inspire myself but also to you (3) readers out there.  I would even put a tag for this "why run" located on the right side of my blog.

I don't know how long this would last - it could be 3 or 300 reasons but let's see how far it would take me.  It's also a perfect topic to start the new year right.

So enough with the back story behind this and before any of you fall asleep, here is reason #1 (and it isn't even the most obvious one):

REASON # 1:  FOR CLARITY

I had a lot of thoughts in my head prior to this run but just didn't know how to organize them properly.  There were mixed thoughts, fleeting ideas, things to do, things needed done, things that can be skipped, etc.  Doing a run would just add to the stress to it, I thought to myself.  What's more, it's the beginning of the year, so I was also thinking about some of my goals for 2013 earlier today.

Well, running brings out clarity!  It helps you think things through when there are no distractions around you.  It is just you and the road and that is the only thing you need to get some ideas organized in your head and maybe some new ideas too (this topic is one of them)!  Who would have thought that doing a very easy and relaxing 38 minute run in your neighborhood could do that for you??

And this is something that running brings to the table but other forms of exercises do not.  I don't think it has the same effects as basketball, tennis, badminton, etc. because you are too focused on the game, on getting points, on defending your side, on winning the match, etc., that you can't get a sense of clarity while playing it.  Same goes with going to the gym and lifting weights as you are too focused on the weights you lifted, the repetitions, the sets, etc.  Then there's yoga, which is calming so that should bring out clarity!  But then you focus on the instructions of the yogi, do proper breathing techniques, make sure your stretches are far enough and correct, and pretty soon, you can't think of anything else but yoga!

Well, if you did an easy jog in your area, you CAN think of other things ASIDE from the thing that you are doing and that is an added benefit to running!

Hope you enjoyed this new topic of mine!