The Hello Bar is a simple web toolbar that engages users and communicates a call to action.

28 August 2008 ~ 7 Comments

Six Word Running Memoir

On Runner’s Lounge they have a theme called ‘Take It and Run Thursday‘, where they come up with a specific topic for running bloggers. The topic a few weeks ago was to write your “Six Word Running Memoir”, so I’m late. But it’s my blog and I make the rules, plus this is rather sensitive and it’s been tough to know whether or not I wanted to post this. I’ve been pondering this subject (and I’ve read some great 6-words on other blogs) and I’ve come up with this statement:

Running is more than just exercise.

Some people begin running as a way to lose pounds or get in shape. I have nothing against that practice; as long as people are moving and doing something to stay physically active, I applaud that effort. I also started running in the past several times purely for those reasons. Each time I hated it, struggled through workouts and eventually gave up. Now running means so much more to me. I’ve had a rough couple years, I was in a really dark place emotionally. I hated so many things about my life and myself. Running has been therapeutic, meditative and essential in pulling me out of the gutter. Now I look forward to each run and I finish feeling exhilarated, full of life, powerful and strong, but most of all I feel healthy. Training for this event has introduced me to a whole new set of friends that are a huge support group in my life, whether or not they realize the magnitude with which they affect me. Running is impacting my life on a much deeper level. In fact, it has inspired another six word memoir that I will use to close this:

Running is literally saving my life.

7 Responses to “Six Word Running Memoir”

  1. Charlotte 28 August 2008 at 6:07 pm Permalink

    I love this. I think you’ve perfectly expressed yourself, and no doubt expressed what so many other runners feel, as well.

    I also love the mention that you hated running when you were “running to eat”, so to speak. I’ve found the same thing, and burning calories is no longer a motivation– when I’m tired (like today) it’s the want for the run that gets me off my butt!

    Thanks for this!

  2. Sloanie 28 August 2008 at 11:37 pm Permalink

    Running with Jill make me happy

  3. Sloanie 28 August 2008 at 11:39 pm Permalink

    Running with my friend Jill ROCKS!

  4. SparklieSunShine 29 August 2008 at 8:00 am Permalink

    Beautifully said. I need to get in this mind frame about getting physical. That’s for sure.

  5. Momm-O 29 August 2008 at 8:10 am Permalink

    I’ll be forever grateful that running saved your life, and gave me my daughter back. I always love you, but I can’t express how good it makes me feel to see you with energy, vitality, and self confidence again. I think you should write a book!

  6. Alissa 29 August 2008 at 10:07 am Permalink

    If you write a book I would like to read it! That was beautifully stated. Running certainly has the ability to chase a way the blues doesn’t it? I’m glad to hear that you are forming relationships from running. I think that is one of the signs that it is a healthy thing, when you enjoy running with other people. Its funny how easy it is to make friends on the run. You get to know people really well, really fast. I used to isolate myself from people and hated running with others. I think that just ended up driving me deeper into depression, even though I thought it was helping. If you ever want to chat off-blog, drop me an email. alissan(at)yahoo(dot)com

  7. Lisa 30 August 2008 at 8:32 am Permalink

    Very nicely said. I had tears in my eyes reading it. I am so glad that you have been able to pull yourself from a dark place.

    I am convinced that getting out there, staying active and building relationships kept me from going into full-blown post-partum depression.

    thank you for sharing….


Leave a Reply