When I think back on my running journey, it’s kind of crazy to think about how much I have changed since I started running. I think part of this is just due to getting older. I started running races when I was 23, and I think most people change quite a bit from their early 20s to mid 30s anyway. However, I feel that being a runner has played a part in shaping me into who I have become over the years.
Becoming a Runner: How Running Has Changed Me Over the Years
When I think back on my lifestyle before running, it’s hard to believe that I was the same person. I guess my fitness journey really started when I was in college and began exercising regularly. However, during that time I was otherwise living a very unhealthy lifestyle (as many colleges students do). Luckily, as I began life in the “real world” I began making some healthier choices and my lifestyle slowly began to change for the better. The big changes though, happened once I really fell in love with running.
I wasn’t the type of person who decided I wanted to do a race and then started running more to train for that. Instead, I was already working out 5-6 days a week and running was a part of that routine. Gradually I found myself wanting to run more. I would go out and run for an hour or more, just because it felt good. I wouldn’t even set a mileage or time goal for a run, but I many weeks I would find myself going farther than the week before. This was before the days or GPS watches so I really just knew how long I was running for, not how far.
My journey to racing
Finally in 2007 I decided I might as well run a half marathon. I didn’t follow a “training plan” (at least not that I remember), I just continued with my regular workout routine and added in longer runs each week. Crossing that finish line for the first time was one of the most memorable experiences in my running history. From that point on I felt like I was a real runner.
Here are some of the ways that I feel like running has changed me:
Led to Healthier Eating
After college I tried to start eating better, as I was also exercising more. Looking back I don’t know if I would still stay my diet was “healthy”, but the effort was there. As I started running more and reading more about how to fuel for running I gradually started to change my diet. It’s definitely gone through phases over the years. I’ve learned that a healthy diet is about fueling mostly with real foods that make you feel good, while also enjoying what you eat.
Made me a Morning Person
Believe it or not, there was once a time when I could stay up until 3am and sleep until noon the next day. Now, I’m in bed before 9 and up by 5 most days. Again, this could just be something that comes with getting older, but for a long time it was running that got me out of bed at an early time. I remember when I was in graduate school and also working full-time I learned that if I didn’t get in a workout before I started my day that it just wouldn’t happen. I started getting up at 5 to go to the gym on days that I had work and class and learned I felt so much better when I would start the day with a workout.
Became a way to relieve stress
Before running was a part of my life I didn’t really have a way to deal with stress. Maybe there were less stressors in my life then but it’s important that everyone has something that they can turn to to help them relax. I’m glad I found something positive to help me with this.
Improved self-confidence
In many ways I think that running has helped me to gain more self-confidence. Navigating early adulthood is not easy, and at times for me it was a struggle as I was figuring out what I wanted to do with my life and getting started in my career. Running was something I was able to take pride in, because there are always small accomplishments to celebrate.
Shift from “Weight Loss” to “Fitness” and more
While I may have started working out to avoid weight gain, my perspective has definitely shifted over the years, especially as I learned to really love running. I learned it was about being fit vs skinny, and even more than that it’s about just doing something active that makes you feel good.
It’s always interesting to look back on how things have changed over the years. I feel like I am at a point in my running where things will likely change drastically over the next few years. That’s the nice thing about running- it can easily meet your needs at whatever point in life you are in. While running may take a backseat as I get further into my pregnancy and then learn to navigate motherhood, I know it is something that will always be there for me. I wonder what I will have to say about my running journey another 10 years from now.
How has running changed you?
Has your running changed during different phases of your life?
Did you start running for one reason and then keep up with it for a different reason?
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It’s pretty amazing to look back and think about all the ways running has changed you, isn’t it? I can’t wait to see what you’ll do with motherhood, but I’m sure you’ll rock it! Because running has made you strong and confident. What a great way to raise a child!
Thanks! Its so awesome to see so many mother runners who are doing great things, so it gives me hope that its possible to continue running through this next phase of life!
I’m a relatively new runner (didn’t start until I was 30 or 31 – can’t remember), but my perspective on running has changed over that time. At first it was all about PRs and trying new distances. Now it’s all about being consistent. I don’t aspire to get a PR anymore but still love how running helps to keep me accountable and also keeps me healthy.
It’s great how running gives us so many different things we can work towards!
I hated running in High School, and I didn’t run again until I was in college and needed to get back in shape. I started running a lot more and decided to run my first half marathon. I didn’t particular love it at first, but slowly started enjoying it. And now, I can’t imagine not having running in my daily life.
I also hated running in high school! I only did it to stay in shape for other sports.
I love hearing how running has shaped you. I started running to lose weight, but it has become so much more than that. Especially once I started running trails, it is my escape!
It’s really amazing how our reasons for running can change over the years!
Isn’t it crazy how running takes on different forms and meaning to us as we enter different stages of life? Like you, 2007 was the year I made the leap to half and full marathon too. Can’t wait to see you adapt your running for motherhood. You’ll be great!
It’s really amazing to think of all the different ways that running can be a part of our lives. It makes me excited for the next step!
I’m impressed at your 9 to 5 sleep schedule. I couldn’t do it, mostly because even if I don’t go to the gym I ‘ m rarely home before 8 and often times 9. But yes, I feel that running has knocked out some of my sleeping in. I was on vacation last week aand while rooming with a three year old helped, it didn’t feel weird to be up and out early.
Freshman year of college for me was one of my best diets. I lost a ton of weight and looking back, it was in the weirdest way: pasta and salad at almost every meal. But I gave up desserts. I was unfortunately an all pro at yo yo ing though and hope that running has resolved that
When I saw I am usually in bed by 9, it’s often times as early as 8! And I can’t remember the last time I slept past 6 am.
That’s great that running has helped you with managing your diet!
I wish I had started running earlier… I feel like I have missed out! I agree with you on all of the ways that running has changed me… and I can’t wait to see how it will continue to change us in the future (especially for you now that you’re becoming a mom!)
All that matters is that you started running! It’s exciting to think about how much it can change for us as the years go on.
I definitely started running to help with weight loss, and while it still helps keep my weight in check (mostly), there are really better ways to exercise to keep your weight down! I didn’t immediately fall in love with it and I also started very late in life. Which may actually be a good thing — we all know that running won’t ruin your knees but it’s also true that it’s hard on the body, and over time it can really take a toll for most people.
It’s definitely one of my favorite ways to bust stress!
It’s so true that running isn’t really the best exercise for weight loss. But I guess it’s more important to find some sort of fitness activity that is enjoyable!
I enjoyed reading about your running journey through the year and I’m excited to see where it goes from here on out! Running has definitely changed me and changed during various points in my life!
Thanks! Its fun to look back on how things have evolved and to think about what’s to come in the future.
Running definitely has changed me…it has given me so much confidence in my (now) athletic body. My running has changed, too, over the years. When I first started running, that’s all I did for fitness. Thankfully, in the past nine years, I have learned to respect the value in strength training and cross-training.
I think many runners start out with only running (when they realize how much they like it) but eventfully learn that its important to balance running with other activities too!
Running is the best stress relief!
I think running changed me by adding some more toughness/perseverance to me. It taught me that I can do hard things and the journey of running is the best.
The mental toughness is such an awesome benefit of being a runner!
I enjoyed reading your running journey and can’t wait to see how it grows with motherhood! I started running in college and the habit made me a morning person earlier in life – I remember getting up at 6 AM to run on school days during my senior year of college and the habit has stuck with me since.
I think it can definitely help us form habits like that, and it seems like many runners become early risers!
I did not start running until my mid 30’s but was always a gym girl and healthy eater. Running has opened up so many new doors to me it’s hard to imagine my life without running. Hope I never have to! The best part has really been the people that running has brought into my life both in person and within the running community
It really has been a great way of connecting with new people!