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.
Jill Will Run 
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!
Running with Jill make me happy
Running with my friend Jill ROCKS!
Beautifully said. I need to get in this mind frame about getting physical. That’s for sure.
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!
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
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….