It’s time for the amazing Friday 5 Link Up and I’m so excited because it’s Free Friday!! Which means we can blog about whatever we want! And I’ve got some words (as usual;).

I’ve been wanting to write this post for awhile. As you may know, I didn’t start running until I was 35 and didn’t start really running, and racing, until I was 38. I’ve since run a whole bunch of half marathon (I’ve seriously stopped counting), some 10K’s and 4 full marathons (with my 5th coming up this January!).

I’m going to just dive right in so I can get to the point without rambling on and on and gushing about how much I love running. Chances are, if you’re reading this, you’re just starting out so you don’t need to see that much of my crazy (yet). So here we go:

5 Reasons Why You Should Run

1. Running slows the aging process

Go here to read an article on this topic written by someone way smarter than me, but the bottom line is that aging is a result of our cells not reproducing as quickly as they once did. Running slows down that decline. On a group run the other night, a friend said  to one of the other runners “how old are you? It’s always impossible to tell with runners.” Amen, Sister. Yes, yes it is. We look younger and we act younger.

2. Running helps tremendously with anxiety and depression

I’ve lived this out first hand and it stays my top motivation for running. If I’m not running I can’t think clearly. If I couldn’t run, I’d have to find another physical outlet because the monkeys in my brain won’t shut the heck up without lots of physical exertion. I actually think we were designed by God for that. So when you sit in your house, sit in your car, sit in your office, and then repeat day in and day out your mind rebels and you feel crazy. (if you are depressed please talk to your doctor or counselor first – you may require more serious intervention and running might just be PART of your healing plan).

3. Running allows you to eat more of the food you love with fewer consequences

Notice I didn’t say you can eat whatever you want. You truly can’t. Maintaining weight is 90% what you eat and only 10% exercise, BUT the running allows you more freedom. And bonus, something about it controls your appetite so you’re actually less hungry. For me, when I started running and was less depressed, I stopped self medicating with food. In fact, it changed my whole relationship with food – instead of comfort (or worse!) the enemy,  I now view it as fuel. It’s a small change that has completely revolutionized how I eat.

4. Runners are amazing and offer great community

I’ve never met a group of people so FOR each other as the running community. As a pastor, I’ve often said that the church could learn a lot from runners. We are FOR each other. Yes, you may meet the random jerk wad, but they don’t represent the majority. If you’re looking for some new friends, find runners.

5. Running is just yours. You do it for you.

Wife, mom, daughter, employee – the list of the hats you wear is pretty long, right? When I run, it’s just me and the road and I feel free. I can put my phone on “do not disturb” so I can call out if there’s an emergency but nobody can reach ME and just enjoy my time. It’s precious to me and many days, it’s the only 45 minutes that I can truly call my own.

So just start, already. For you, maybe all you can manage right now is running to the mailbox. It took me 3 months to work up to running a mile without stopping! Take it slow, listen to your body, but you CAN do this. And for proof, I’m linking a podcast (you want episode #161) I listened to last week featuring an 80 plus year old rock star woman who just ran Boston. It will eradicate your excuses.

See you on the run!

Jen