What NOT Running for a Month Has Taught Me
If you follow me over on the instagram, you probably saw that I’m not running for 6 whole weeks. I’ve been pretty quiet because what is SoCal Runner Gal supposed to talk about when she’s not running? Walking? That just doesn’t have the same appeal.
walking, not running, down the 101
Why am I not running, you ask? No, I’m not injured. I had an elective surgery that requires zero running for a month and a half. Self inflicted but still so brutal. I’m over a month in and almost to the finish line (which technically is the start line I guess) and it has been HARD. Like way harder than expected. But I also learned a few things about myself and running in this time.
Running is an incredibly effective anti-depressant. I went to a very dark place the first few weeks off of running. I quickly realized that running truly is potent medicine. I’ve struggled with depression my entire life and have gotten it under control the last 10 years, but I clearly forgot how much running has helped to combat it. In my case, therapy and medication are key but holy cow – the moment I take running out of the equation, everything goes haywire. No amount of journaling or meditating can replace the effects of running. I had to figure out how to deal with it so I started walking and tried to just find gratitude in my ability to move my body in any way. It definitely helped but I am craving those endorphins and can’t wait to have that natural high again.
I’ve decided that running is my favorite way to socialize. Don’t get me wrong, I love going out for food and drinks (and I do it way too often) but there is nothing like catching up with a close friend over a few sweaty miles. Conversation flows, connection is immediate and you both feel amazing at the end. Walking with friends has filled the void a bit, but nothing compares to a nice long run and the bonds that are formed over those shared strides.
I am addicted to running. I joke about this all the time, but there may be some serious truth to it. I basically had withdrawals the first few weeks of not being able to sweat. I was cranky, sad and pretty miserable. Some people might think being “addicted” to anything is unhealthy, but I come from a family of addicts so my little addiction to running is a blessing in my eyes. I don’t run to excess and I use it as a healthy tool for coping with life’s stressors, like so many runners, and this addict needs her fix.
But, I can survive without it! This may be the biggest lesson of all. I always wonder what I would do if I could never run again. How would I get through life? Well, it turns out I CAN live without it. I’ve figured out how to be happy without my 4-5 runs a week and I’ve filled my time with other things like reading, dating (yeah, I have a girlfriend ), happy hours, and long walks on the beach. It turns out there is more to life than running. Who woulda thought?
I have just a little over a week left and I can hit the ground running again. The countdown is on and I am beyond excited. To any non-runner, 6 weeks off probably sounds so simple and I’m sure they’d think I am being so dramatic. But I know all my runners can relate — not running is the pits.
my walking crew
What is the longest you’ve ever had to take off from running?
How’d you cope?
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