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Marathon Monday + Five Reasons I Love Running

04/18/16 | Favorites, Life, Running, Thoughts

Happy Marathon Monday and Patriots Day! For those of you who aren’t familiar with Marathon Monday I want to give you the Urban Dictionary definition because it’s kind of the best. (FYI: Urban Dictionary is a satirical online dictionary where anyone can submit definitions. It’s normally very truthful and accurate, though). 

Marathon Monday: Marathon Monday is often considered, among Bostonians, as the greatest day of each year. Falling on the third Monday of April, the marathon provides a race as a backdrop to the biggest day of drinking and legalized hookie-playing found anywhere in the country. Example: 11:21 AM on Marathon Monday: the winner of the race crosses the finish line and everyone in Boston is already too drunk to notice

So, to most people it’s a full day of drinking with a marathon somewhere among the party but I know it as Patriot’s Day and the Boston Marathon. Have fun, Boston! More importantly, good luck to all the kick-ass runners conquering 26.2 hilly miles.

In honor of the marathon, let’s keep things on the lighter side with a running-focused post.

Five Reasons I Love Running

It’s like a stable, life-long friend…it doesn’t go anywhere

We all know I was injured for a while last year. I ended up taking three months off (during prime running weather/racing season) to let my body/foot heal. In the process, I learned that I’m not invincible. Even if I didn’t/don’t run as much as a lot of people, I needed the break, forced or not. I love running because it DIDN’T GO ANYWHERE during my time off. I was able to come right back to it when I was physically ready (not “right back” in the sense of pace or mileage, but the sport was still there). For me, running is a lifetime sport, so extended time off here and there (hopefully not due to injury) is not a big deal in the scheme of things.

Running

Running doesn’t discriminate against body type

There’s a movement across social media debunking the stereotype of a “the runner’s body.” People are recognizing that the shape, size, height, age of a person does not determine their ability to run. Passion, attitude and determination are all that matter. 

Running
You can go as fast or slow as you want
First, “fast” and “slow” are subjective, just like “long run” and “short run.” As someone who doesn’t own a Garmin and doesn’t check my pace until after I finish (via my RunKeeper app) I’m pretty good at running by feel. Some days I know my body needs to go slower, so I oblige. I still consider a “slower” run to be a run, which is all that matters.
 
Running after a stress fracture
To give you a concrete example: last weekend I ran my half marathon at a 8:33 min/mile pace, slow for some people, fast for others. Yesterday I went for a run (after a pretty easy week of workouts) and ran at a 9:35 min/mile. I felt good at that pace yesterday so it’s what I did. I don’t consider it good or bad or because of the pace. It still counted! 
 
It encourages creativity and productivity

Ironically, even after the most hot, draining run, I feel more inspired than ever. Whether it’s to write, clean, run errands or work, running gives me that boost I need to get started. Sure I love me some afternoon (and/or mid-morning) naps, but chances are, I will want to do something with my day first.

Running
It gives me some perspective

I have the physical ability and health to be able to run, my problems are minuscule in comparison. Nothing else really matters.

Good luck Boston runners! Let’s celebrate running today #runchat #fitfluential

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So whether you are a runner, biker, writer, cook(er), artist(er), lifter, eater or all the above, I hope you use this Marathon Monday to reflect on why you love what you do. 

Do you know anyone running the marathon? I know one person in real life but have a few bloggers I will be tracking

Comments | 12 comments

« Emotions + Adulting

Comments

  1. Susie @ SuzLyfe says

    April 18, 2016 at 6:23 am

    I am so excited to train you. You are going to love training for MCM :D You love running for all the right reasons.
    Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Here Comes the Sun (Weekend Recap)My Profile

    Reply
  2. Divya @ Eat. Teach. Blog. says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:44 am

    I don’t know anyone running the marathon! Thinking of everyone there today!

    Reply
  3. ACKTIVE LIFE says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:49 am

    LOVE and all of this and all the reasons why I run…Now if it could just get warmer on this tiny little island, so I can run outside…Sheesh! One of my college teammates is running into today…she’s a total rock star! Happy Monday! XOXO
    ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…30 Day Trial With Farm To Gold MouthwashMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Carla says

    April 18, 2016 at 7:51 am

    Yes yes yes. These five reasons are the exact same five I’ve become so smitten with walking half marathons!!
    Carla recently posted…Is this the last time?My Profile

    Reply
  5. Margaret @ youngandrungry says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:03 am

    I can’t tell you how much I love each one of these things! They are all so true and a very big reason as to why I love running as well! Everyone’s body and successes in running is so different, I feel like everything I do wether its a race or a training run is just all relative to my own abilities!
    Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…Blood Orange Paleo Chocolate Mug CakeMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Kaitlin @ CA Enless Summer says

    April 18, 2016 at 8:54 am

    Love this! Happy Patriot’s day and Marathon Monday!
    Kaitlin @ CA Enless Summer recently posted…Boston Bound for Marathon Monday 2016My Profile

    Reply
  7. Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:05 am

    I only know a few bloggers running Boston and no one “in real life” but I am so excited to watch it before heading to class today. It always gives me a boost of motivation for weeks following the race whenever I go out for a run!
    Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…Tips for Running Your First Race + Miles and Pace GiveawayMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Ellie says

    April 18, 2016 at 9:19 am

    I love running because I feel disconnected from everything. I don’t have responsibilities and can just be with myself. I have a couple friends running Boston and have dreamed of doing it myself…however that many people makes me scared hahaha
    Ellie recently posted…Week In Review [Short and Sweet]My Profile

    Reply
  9. Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:21 am

    Completely agree with all of these, especially the part about perspective. When I’m out on a long outdoor run, everything seems to fall away and stuff I’m worried or stressed about becomes less important in my mind, and takes on its realistic importance instead. I try to hold on to that once the run is over!

    Reply
  10. Sarah @pickyrunner says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:28 am

    Yep you nailed it. I just love running in general, and the community that comes along with it. I would give anything to be up in Boston this weekend but my parents chose this weekend to come visit me. Hopefully next year I’ll be living there and it will be a built-in holiday at work!
    Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…WeekendingMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Diana says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Love this post! I didn’t own a Garmin until very recently and everyone thought I was crazy doing races pacing myself off how I felt…it’s the best way to do it :)
    Diana recently posted…What’s The Definition Of A Runner + Marathon Training UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings says

    April 18, 2016 at 10:50 am

    I love all of these! Especially about going as slow or as fast as you want and that running is always there for you. I know 2 girls running the marathon today which is awesome. Currently watching a little bit of it online at work right now.. shhhhh.
    Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Things I’m intoMy Profile

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Emily!

A twenty-something lover of long runs, daily naps, home cooked meals and my dog. Join me on my journey to find a mostly healthy balance in food, fitness and life.

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