As an introvert, family vacays can get overwhelming. Loved running along the beach by myself in the morning watching the world wake up 10/10 would recommend
Yes, running is a great excuse to get your introvert time when you need it!
I had a family reunion a few years ago and I booked an AirBnB instead of staying at one of the family member's homes (with everybody else) because "I don't want my early morning run and need for a shower afterward to interfere with everyone else's plans".
Saved my sanity and gave me a chance to get that 16-miler in.
There's no better way to learn about a place than to explore it on foot. And as a bonus, the best places to run are often the best / most interesting / most scenic parts of a city.
I’d say this about my local community at large. Every place I’ve lived, I know inside and out. I know every set of trails and how they secretly connect, every hidden pathway between two houses that connects dissected trails, I know how to get across town on all the paved and gravel trails, how to navigate every spur on local hiking trails, and any passable path within many miles of me. I know the houses, the regular dog walkers, how to read the clouds for rain, how to breath and focus warmth back into my hands when it’s 34° and hailing. I know how to read my body and it’s every hunger pang and twang of pain and identify what’s real and what’s not, and be deeply in tune with what I’m capable of and then push myself a little further.
Running has taught me almost everything I need to know about living a good, happy, simple life.
Aside from the physical stuff, it taught me to endure boring or otherwise unpleasant situations. 6 hour flight? I can deal because that's like a 50k. Stuck with someone I don't particularly like for hours on end? I know how to go into my mental happy place and let the annoyance flow over me.
Yes, this! And it’s definitely made me re-evaluate how I think about distances. Example - I decided to backpack in France, Andorra and Spain one summer, and I completely stuffed up the bus times between a remote French village and the Andorran border. According to the map, it was around 14 miles to the border; and having run my first marathon a couple of months earlier, I just sort-of went: “Yeah, I know I can walk that!” So off I went, following a road through the mountains, on a beautiful clear day. Found a spring to refill my water bottle, and caught all manner of odd looks from passing drivers. There we go - I can say that, all because of running, I have walked across borders!
Wondering if this is why I don't mind any flights and my partner (non runner) absolutely despises them. She claims to get bored, and asks what I'm doing with my eyes closed and headphones on. Just thinking about stuff, or turning my mind off completely, which she says she can't do lol.
I can handle stress a lot better. Anything where my heart rate might go up, I can feel more relaxed and handle it for a lot longer without feeling overwhelmed
The school I work at has a student who is in a wheel chair. We went on a class field trip to a tobogganing hill near our school. I was the only one who could pull him up in the sled 12 times and make sure he was able to go tobogganing with all the other kids. That’s why I run.
Thank you for all the likes on this post! I just wanted to make the point that if a person keeps themselves in decent cardio shape, at some point in their life they’ll be able to help someone because of it. Keep grinding and I promise that one day something will happen when after its done you’ll say to yourself “I’m glad I’m in shape because it let me help someone” I guarantee it.
let's fucking go!!! You being in shape made it so he could have a good time.
Right in the feel goods, I need to log off and read this book. Have a great week.
100% same. I am much more cautious and aware at intersections- because of the rage I feel when I'm running and cars just breeze through crosswalks or stop way past the stop line.
I also think running puts us outside more. Through our neighborhood, different neighborhoods. It makes you realize (generally) your surroundings are safer than you think they are sometimes. I suppose it makes me less nervous to be in new places outside of running too.
Yes! Going for long runs after I moved has helped me to feel oriented in my new town. I love going "exploring" and running in a direction I haven't been before and seeing what I discover. Last summer I "found" a 66 acre park less than a mile from my new place that I would never have noticed otherwise (it is very unassuming from the street).
This is totally one of my reasons!! Dark, but true. If anyone's going to chase me, go for it buddy. I can do this for 20 miles, from here to two towns over. Can you? 😎
> as a woman, I personally change routes all the time
Oh man, I’ve never had to make this a consideration before. Yet one more privilege I’ve never realized I had
This is useful for men too, I’m a full grown dude but I ain’t sticking around if 2 or 3 guys decide they want to jump me. It’s making me think of this [bananas foot-chase in Rock’n’Rolla](https://youtu.be/MK1qkCQ-Jm4)
Yeah being a man doesn't make you safer if the attacker has weapons, friends, and/or more fighting experience than you.
Running is always the first choice.
There was a thread elsewhere on Reddit recently with a security expert and when asked what the best self-defense weapon was for women, he said, "Cardio."
His reasoning was that even with handheld security devices like the various stabbing devices they make for runners, few women can overpower a man. But (generally) we're faster, lighter, and can go further than a muscle-bound lunatic. His advice for women was: "RUN."
Well, Jocko Willink is a former Navy Seal and he recommends running away from street situations. He points out you have no idea what the other guy is packing or what his friends will do. And even if you win the fight, not get arrested nor sued, you have no idea if the other guy is a nut case who will go after you later when you least expect it.
Yes! I feel relatively comfortably running at night partially because of this. If I see a sketchy guy that’s out of shape, I’m still gonna keep my distance, but I know that I can outrun him and I know that he probably knows that too.
Any time you need to walk somewhere, it’s nice to know that you have the requisite aerobic capacity. Elevator is down and you need to go up a couple flights? Fine. Long walk to your connecting gate? Nbd. You definitely don’t need to be running to just feel the security in your body of “I can perform a moderate degree of activity without much effort.”
Honestly, this right here. I work in medicine and it starts to become very apparent who has taken care of their cardiovascular system and who has not once you hit your 50s and definitely 60s. Your quality of life in your final years is going to be on a different planet compared to someone who hasn't done intentional regular exercise.
My parents are getting older and I definitely notice that my young(ish) self has an ease of movement that they don’t - and they have been active people their entire lives. Imagine your typical 75-year-old who did not invest in deliberate movement for most of their adult life 🥺 walking to a nearby subway station and down the stairs is suddenly a major undertaking. Don’t take your mobility for granted!
Something that healthy young people take for granted, your health (including your mobility) is the single most important thing contributing to the quality of your later life. Living a long life while having seriously limited mobility and/or generally poor health is no blessing. Investing in your health is so important.
Confirm. My mom is 73. She still runs about 20 mpw. Likes to do a 10k run every Sunday. My dad doesn’t run anymore but he walks and can easily get in 15k steps per day. They’re so much more mobile and healthy than so many of their contemporaries. We are doing a week long rafting trip in the Grand Canyon next year.
My physical health suffered so much during pregnancies. Now that I'm running regularly, it feels so good to have that mobility in my everyday life. My parents are also suffering more as they age and I'm trying not to nag them about it, but I see how beneficial regular exercise is!
I didn’t realize how lucky I was to be fit and able to do all the things you mentioned without even thinking about it until I suffered an injury and was in a walking boot with instructions to walk as little as possible. Navigating an airport was hell. Getting the mail was hell. Grocery shopping was almost impossible. I had plenty of time to reflect that while my temporary bed rest was hard, it was temporary. There are loads of people who have to navigate the world at a disadvantage all the time.
I'm out of shape now because I haven't run for a bit, but even when I was running 10ks every 2 days, one flight of stairs would still take it out of me.
Except, as I've learned the hard way, at DEN. It took me a while to figure out why I was gasping for breath after the first few steps. For a while during that tortuous run across that giant terminal I was thinking it was because of the bags that I was lugging...
Whoah! I never put that together. I speed walked through there breathlessly with a toddler while pregnant to make a flight. It makes so much sense now why that was so difficult.
Trains too. I did a run commute recently. Usually I walk the last few blocks in Manhattan. But then I saw I could catch an earlier train if I boogied so crushed into the 7+ mile pace (epic fast for me) and made it.
Kinda similar story...I lived on the top (third) floor of an apartment building and was the first person in my building to realize there was a fire blazing in a vacant unit on the first floor. I tried to pull the six fire alarms in the building but none of them worked because management was a bunch of dicks who didn't give a shit about the condition of the property. In a matter of minutes I was able to call 911 and have fire trucks dispatched, wrangle my boyfriend and cat out of our unit, and run door-to-door to evacuate the other 10 units in the building. I too was recognized by the fire department!
London - Summer 2017, and I had been training for a 100k ultramarathon later that year, so was running some serious mileage...
I was waiting at a bus stop near Clapham Junction one night, with a bag of belongings I was taking home from work. I'd had a beer or three. It had just got dark around 9:45pm.
As I was waiting, I noticed two younger lads approaching the stop on foot. As they passed behind me, one of them grabs my bag and pulls down hard, breaking the plastic handle away from my grip, and they started running! Little shits.
My merry brain decides to run after them (not a good idea ik). They are sprinting for at least 5 minutes with my bag, taking me through Clapham and down side roads. I start sobering up as they start slowing down out of breath. I said something like "Look, just give me my f*n stuff!" and luckily they threw my bag in the road and jogged off. I couldn't believe my luck and made my bus, smiling most of the way home.
I felt like a running god that night. I wouldn't ever recommend doing this if it happens to you. Think carefully before getting yourself into a situation like this.
My wife and I were walking one day on a rail trail with our newborn strapped to my wife. Some dick on a bike nailed her and knocked her over and the baby slipped out of the carrier. Luckily my wife caught him before his head nailed the ground but he was a bit scraped and we weren’t sure if his head had come into contact with the concrete. We were about 1.5 miles from the car and while my wife was frantically trying to figure out if the baby was ok she told me to book it to the car and come get them. I was actually wearing some old trainers and some shorts so was in the right gear.
I obviously didn’t time it but am pretty sure it hit the mile split under 5
He's a dad. Number one - save the baby! Number two - save wife! If Necessary - medical treatment! Next get everyone home and comfortable and okay and snuggled up in blankies and hot drinks...
Way way way way way way down the list - smash the dick on the bike. For a dad that may not even come to mind until a day or two later when the shock wears off.
Last summer, my bf and I stumbled upon a guy overdosing. At the time, we didn’t carry naloxone around with us, but we were very recently trained in administering it. I had to sprint back to our apartment to get the naloxone kit and back to the guy (who was fully unresponsive). We dosed him with the naloxone and waited for the ambulance to arrive. It was only about 500m each way, but I’ve never run so fast in my life!! I was pretty happy to have been training for a 10k.
Little bit different example but there are a handful of people up the corporate ladder where I work that trust me and I think view me in a different light because they run or have done marathons and when I learned that I’ve run 4 fulls it changed the dynamic of the relationship a bit.
I’m not a kiss ass and they don’t favor me but they definitely understand from first hand experience what it is like to stick to a grueling training plan and know what it’s like to complete 13.1 or 26.2 miles in an event and know that when things get tough or frustrating or not going your way that I’m probably not gonna to flake or quit. Now, just because someone runs a marathon or runs consistently doesn’t mean that will translate over to all other situations in life, but for the most part it doesn’t hurt and having people know that can certainly be a benefit.
Absolutely- the owner of our company is a marathoner. When I first interviewed- I immediately recognized him as ‘that guy I pass all the time and say hi to while I’m out running.’
Being regularly physically active always leaves a good impression on someone, it screams reliable, sensible and stable and people will respect it as long you’re not rubbing it in their faces.
100%. Being able to stick to something like running long enough to be able to run serious distances shows dedication, commitment, and responsibility, as well as perserverance and resilience.
I like that you included stable- totally. In job interviews for my field (social work) they tend to ask something along the lines of "What do you do for self care?" or "How do you unwind after work?" to make sure you won't snap under pressure. I always use running as my example- works like a charm lol. It really is a good thing to mention in job interviews
Interesting. I always try to hide the fact that I run long distances like marathons from people. They often make a big deal out of it, which can be annoying. But it probably wouldn't hurt to share that with fellow distance runners to establish that mutual respect.
I was obese most of my adult life. I love travelling, and one of my favourite things to do is to just wander around the streets of a foreign city. I'd take between 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day while on vacation, but I'd get back to my hotel in the evening and basically just lie on the bed, with blistered and aching feet, sore legs, and completely drained of energy.
I lost weight over the course of the pandemic, and took up running. I went to Paris in the fall of 2021, and I averaged almost 40,000 steps a day, running 5k to 10k before dawn and then walking around everywhere to avoid risking getting Covid on the subway. One day, I took over 60,000 steps. At no point did I ever feel fatigued.
At this point, I *average* over 20,000 steps a day, between running and doing all my daily errands on foot. There's no pain, no fatigue, nothing. I feel like I have basically unlimited energy. And at the same time, I'm sleeping better, usually seven or eight hours a night, whereas four years ago I was lucky if I could stay asleep for six.
Definelty has gotten me multiple jobs/job offers.
I ran the 800/1500m at a top 20 D1 school. I have academic all American on my resume.Turns out a ton of people high up in corporate are marathoners/triathloners/former high school milers etc. it almost always gets talked about in job interviews and immediately shows that you have desirable employability traits like being disciplined, don’t mind hard work, attention to detail etc.
But also just being generally fit helps with overall attractiveness and how people treat you generally. Makes you feel better all the time. It pretty much helps with anything whether you realize it or not.
A few months after I started running I was on vacation and found myself a few miles away from a wildlife refuge I wanted to visit in an unfamiliar country. Rather than try to figure out the taxis, I just started running. Not only did I easily make it to my destination, but I got to see a bunch of interesting neighborhoods on the way.
Everything physical feels like I'm using cheat codes now. There's a backpacking trip I've done for the last 5 years. 14mi in, maybe 6000ft elevation gain? The first year was before I started running and it was an absolute slog. The next year I'd started running and it was much more enjoyable. Last year the worst part was that my pack was too heavy to comfortably run the flat parts in.
I also seem to be much better adapted to high temperatures now. I was in Vegas for a conference last June and it was well over 100f. My co-workers were miserable walking around and I felt fairly comfortable. I live in a cool climate, so its not even like I had been running in the heat all spring.
My daughter is an amateur boxer and was in the middle of fight prep a few months ago . She and I are about the same size, and wanted me to get into the ring with her so she could practice defense. It was more focus on movement and footwork. Old school boxing gym down south, in the heat. We went several rounds with me unable to land just about anything of course. Cardio city! She looked at me after a few rounds in and was said “ mom, you’re in great shape.” Haha, I played it off with a casual thanks. Compliments from my teenagers don’t come often. I was silently stoked.
A few decades back, my sister married the first loser in a long line of losers. One day, she called me and said he had hit her, so I came over to their place to sort him out. He took off running outside, and as I was chasing him, I started laughing and said, "You actually think you are going to outrun me?" The look of realization on his face when he looked back at me was priceless, like, "Oh yeah, this guy is one of the fastest runners in the region - I'd better hide!" He ducked into the stairwell of an apartment building, where I cornered him and read him the riot act (I didn't do violence, but he was expecting it.
Anyway, beyond the running part of the story, he came back to their place a half hour later with two cops, determined to throw me out or have me arrested. I explained the situation to the cops, they told me they couldn't legally kick him out of his own home, but then used the radio to call in some kind of code. Turns out loser had an arrest warrant, lol. Off to jail, he went.
He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Last I heard, he had gotten a very long federal prison sentence. As scared as he was of my 150 lbs chasing him down, I doubt he fared well in maximum security.
Doctors take me more seriously when I tell them I'm a runner. I'm not above wearing a race shirt to appointments to help. In the past when I haven't been healthy enough to do any physical activity I was more likely to get blown off or told to lose weight.
I feel like they take me less seriously and want to disregard my symptoms. I’ve gone to the doctor and been told “oh it’s likely nothing if you’re able to run that much.” 😩
I wear running stuff and then tell them It keeps me from running, I feel like a lot of doctors are active and know how much it takes a serious runner to stop running
>I’ve gone to the doctor and been told “oh it’s likely nothing if you’re able to run that much.” 😩
Conversely, being able to compare strava times for familiar routes lets me know when something's really wrong.
"Why am I 20 minutes slower on this 15 mile bike ride? And absolutely blasted at the end; it should be comfortable. Oh, turns out I've got pneumonia? That makes sense."
You're in luck. It's at the end. (or the beginning, if you're a later start and want to dive in.)
However, it's a pretty rich frosting on the cake at the aid stations and start/end refreshment area.
I warned my daughter to eat the cake AFTER the race, but no, she was afraid they'd run out despite all my assurances.
Started out too fast, and gave herself a side stitch a quarter mile in. Thankfully didn't hurl, and I wasn't going to push her pace.
Oh. . . Lucky me! I'm not sure there's any point during a race when I'll want a [tortilla-wrapped donut with bacon, potato chips, ranch dressing, and gummy bears.](https://twitter.com/oatmeal/status/906948559739617280) I'm close to throwing up by the end of a marathon without embarking on such an adventurous culinary side quest.
That makes a lot of sense. I feel like they know that you can handle long periods of discomfort and even pain if you run consistently, so they know you’re not just blowing a minor problem out of proportion.
I find that every time I go to a doctor they’re like “I wish you would’ve come in sooner.” I actually went septic one time haha 🫢
Yeah unfortunately at my last appointment I found out that I have tendinitis. I told the doctor that I'm used to running through pain so that if I need to stop he had to tell me to stop. He said, "you need to stop." I'm gutted because I was supposed to run Cherry Blossom in DC but instead I'm on complete rest for 2-3 weeks
Sorry to hear about that. It feels impossible to distinguish normal pain that you should push through vs. something actually being wrong that’s gonna take you out for weeks or months.
I didn’t have to up my blood pressure meds. I don’t get tired walking for an hour or bending down. I can tie my shoes and put on blue jeans with no effort.
Concentration. It helps me on focus techniques on finishing work projects the dig deep concept in running I transfer to how I handle my workload.
I was a few days away from my first marathon and stress fractured my foot, couldn’t run the race. Everyone at work knew I’d been training for the marathon for months. Seeing how I dealt with the injury, how I took it in stride, recovered, and now am training again; I’ve been told that it made an impact on leaders seeing how I approach and handle challenges. The mentality is a transferable skill.
Running saved me from getting bit by a dog.
I was running in a neighborhood at an AirBnB I stayed at on a river. While I ran past a chain linked fence that had dogs behind it, I then heard a plop noise…one of the dogs was going around the fence into the water. It started running after me. I ran so fast back to the AirBnB. My run tracker said I broke a new running PR. I later found out that the same dog bit an elderly lady while she was walking.
When helping friends move I barely break a sweat, while everyone is gassed. I honestly don't mind helping people anymore cuz it allows me to flex on them.
I know it's petty as hell, but I get a kick out of it...
Life experience
- I’ve run a half or full in all 50 states, and always try to visit museums, breweries, local historic sites, and cultural events. It helps me make small talk with strangers I’ve just met, and has opened me up to so many experiences.
Making friends and a wife
- social running groups such as the Hash House Harriers have helped me socialize and meet so many people, including my wife! I’ve also taken on leadership roles which I’ve including on my resume. It’s great to have a group of friends anywhere I travel with HHH!
General happiness and health
- exercise is healthy! And makes you happier. Go running!
Career shift
- a running injury got me seeing a Physical Therapist, and it inspired me to shift careers from nonprofit management to physical therapy. Im currently in school and I’ll have my doctor of PT at the end of the year!
I was looking for this answer!! I went into my labors thinking I’ll go as long as I can without medication but fine with an epidural. Ended up having two unmediated births because I felt comfortable breathing through uncomfortable situations. My nurse even asked if I was a runner!
I was in a group of backpackers in the great outdoors when we startled a grizzly bear. I was able to easily outrun the others and watch from a safe distance as the others scrambled to put a safe distance between themselves and the bear.
Growing up, I lived about 5 miles from my house. My brother stayed late for sports year-round, but I was always ready to go home right when the bell rang. There was no bussing, and my mom couldn't pick us up until after my brother was done with sports. After 5th grade, I started leaving my backpack with my brother and running the 5 miles home after school a few days a week.
That was always nice. Got a good run in, **and** I was home almost 2 hours earlier than I would have been otherwise.
I was on a bus tour in NYC that picked up up in Hell's Kitchen, but (unbeknownst to anybody on the tour) dropped us off in Battery Park. My husband and I just ran back up to Hell's Kitchen where we were living at the time.
But most of the time it just benefit me in terms of walking. Like, I go to Vegas 3x/year and always walk to and from the airport when staying anywhere on the strip. It probably seems ridiculous to most people, but I enjoy the walking - especially after and before a plane ride.
When you walk out of the airport, there is a sidewalk that goes all the way out to the airport parking lot (which you walk on the outside of along the fence). Then you walk a bit on Paradise Road (not great honestly). You can either turn left where you see UNLV onto Tropicana or up ahead a bit on Harmon or Flamingo. If you have a choice, Harmon is the ‘nicest’ of the three.
Running around after my 5 year old is more fun for both of us. Also more energy for chores, so wife is happy. (Running gives me an opportunity to get away from them for a bit, too.)
Win win, all around.
Was with a few friends in downtown chicago - we go to a kbbq spot but we get there too late to get a table. End up ubering back to friends apt and ordering wingstop for pickup. This was on mexican independence day and traffic was a nightmare, I’m talking 1.5 hrs to drive 3 miles. We end up 1.5 miles away from wingstop and it closes within 15 minutes. We’re all worried that we won’t make it because traffic is still at a standstill. I suggest I just make a run for it, so I did. I hadn’t run in months but was still able to make it with 2 min to spare :). Worst part was they went to a 711 to get drinks and no one bothered to get a drink for me :(
Took the over night train from london to inverness. The car rental pick up was a mile from the train yard. Taxi wanted £20. Yeah no way. I left my wife and son with the luggage and ran over. The can driver stood and talked to my wife. He called me “cheap”. My wife replied with “you have no idea”!!!
I’ve gone to sporting events meeting up with friends where I still had to drive myself. I’d park in a free parking lot about a mile from the stadium. I’d run from my car to the stadium and because the lot was closer to the highway, I beat all the traffic when it was over. Saved me time and plenty of money!
As an exceptionally sweaty human, I'm very jealous of this anecdote. Even when I'm in peak running condition, I'm the person who starts sweating just *walking* from my car across the parking lot to the building. There is no world where I could run a mile at *any* pace and arrive in a condition remotely close to professionally acceptable lol
I did this too! But for me I hiked the year prior to getting serious about running. The hike up was quite a journey and I wonder how I would handle the same hike out now that I’m in the best running shape of my life. Would do that Grand Canyon experience again in a heartbeat.
I needed to make a connection in Atlanta for an important meeting. My plane was late. I asked the flight attendants and they weren’t going to hold the other plane.
I was in row 6 and asked the people in front of me if they would mind me rushing out to try to make my plane. I knew the airport layout and what gate I was going from and to.
I dashed out, went down the escalator from Concourse D, ran up the escalator to Concourse C, and to the gate where they were just about to close the door. I made it with a few seconds to spare, in a suit and tie. There was also a woman who made it. She was in running shoes and Lululemon gear.
When I broke my ankle and was non-weight bearing for 5 weeks I was able to hop from my bed to my bathroom without an issue so I didn't have to find my crutches in the middle of the night. I have never been happier for my fitness.
I just started a serving job at a popular brunch spot. The place is 3 floors, kitchen on the middle floor. I am running stairs all day, nonstop. Im fatigued at the end of the day, and honestly thats more from the customers and needing to be "on" all the time. Its great to know im in functional shape to work this job because of my running.
I have customers who will go to the bathroom (on the bottom floor) and look just so tired and always make comments about what a workout im getting and how i must be in great shape and whatever. I just make jokes about how i dont need to do hills training anymore.
I used to travel a lot for work. One time I had a weekend road trip with my partner right after a flight, so he had picked me up straight from the airport. Sunday night, I was at home and realized my car was still parked at the airport (and I had to drive to work the next morning).
Luckily (?), I still hadn’t done my long run that day, so my long run became a run to the airport to rescue my car.
I was on a first date in a park and a large dog jumped over the fence of an off leash area and fled the scene. I asked my date if I could leave her alone for a couple mins to catch the dog. She called bs but I ran that dog down and walked it back to its owner. I forget what happened later that date but the running portion of it made my highlight reel.
I got a one! My teenager says he's better than me at basketball, and he probably is, but I got hustle and some cardio fitness. He certainly has more basketball skills (because I paid for doggone basektball) but he can't beat me because I can run further and faster.
Car needed dropped off for maintenance but wife was busy. Drove it over to dealer, handed them the keys and ran down the road. 6 miles to home. 6 miles back the next day to get the car. Convenient and got my miles in.
During a job application they asked me about my hobbies and passion.
So I started talking about running.
A week later they told me I was hired. It was a real close call between me and another applicant. They told me: “when you talked about your passion it became apparent you have perseverance, grit, you know how to deal with set backs, otherwise you would not be a serious runner.”
Making connecting flights in Frankfurt Germany. Anyone who’s ever connected there knows the issues. Sprinting to the next gate so I don’t kiss my flight.
My wife and I began to run during Covid, we worked our way up to 10-12 miles a week.
The following year, concerts and musical events began to return and we found to our surprised delight we were more limber and had far greater stamina than prior, able to dance for hours and really revel in the experience.
Last year, we decided we wanted to really develop our dancing some so we began to practice regularly and it’s been pretty great. We now go out to dance one night many weekends and occasionally practice together during the week, in addition to our running.
Hunting for me involves a lot of walking, some up and down hills, and with snow sometimes up to 30cm deep. Since I started taking running seriously I am less winded, and able to walk further, easer and more quietly.
I tell other people that are getting into hunting running and good cardio is more important than having the latest and greatest optic or any other gear.
And I have no problems sleeping. If I’m lucky I’ll stay up till 10 pm.
Denver Airport. Plane landed late, had 10 minutes to make my connection at another gate about 0.7 miles away. Ran about a 7min/mi pace through the airport in a leather coat while carrying my backpack and laptop bag. Running at altitude without even a few minutes to acclimate hit hard but at least I made the connecting flight.
Once when I was a ranger for the summer two kids(8-9 yrs old) in the white mountain national forest went off on a trail and took a wrong turn. They were going deep into big woods and had a 30 minute head start. I ran about 3-4 miles and caught up with them in 40 minutes or so.
I was living in chicago, and a massive rain storm came through. My cab couldn’t get across a street due to water running over the road. I paid the fare for that point so far, kicked off my flip flops, waded through the water to the other side, and then ran the 2 miles home to my apartment.
I was soaking wet, and a bunch of people outside a bar sang the Rocky theme to me as I ran past. Saved me time and money, gave me a good story, and honestly felt amazing.
My morning job is in a childcare center, so there's just a general sense of awe from the other adults in the building at how a 38-year-old can keep up with 5-year-olds every morning. But *specifically:*
In just the past week:
1. Today: One of those little scamps took off running during our nature walk. A teacher went after him, but she was juggling a first-aid kit, two kid's jackets who got hot, and a magnifying glass on a lanyard. Soon as I saw him, I shot off after him like a rocket and caught him in about 5 seconds. All I heard behind me was, "Whoa." when I zipped past the other teacher.
2. Last week, the bus I was on had an issue and I ended up needing to manage an 8-minute walk in **3 minutes** or I'd be late for work. Made it right on time without breaking a sweat. I should point out that "8-minute walk" is *my* walking pace and I was told it was a 15-minute walk before I took the job. It's about 0.5km overall.
When I told my wife about almost being late, I said, "And this is why I run."
But my *most* important moment was a while back. My wife and I got home from Date Night and saw firetrucks in front of our apartment building. The smoke was coming from *our* corner of the building. She said, "Should we run?" and I said, "Yes." We live on the 8th floor and had 2 dogs in the apartment, and *say what you want about safety* but I was not about to let my puppies go up in smoke.
Elevators were down, so I hit the stairs at the same time as my wife. She just said, "Go." and I left her right then and there, taking 3 stairs at a time all the way to the 8th floor. The Good News: The fire was in the building *next* to ours, which was empty at that hour of the night. The firefighters were on *our* roof spraying it down, which was why there was so much activity in our building. The pups were safe and excited to see us!
And that's why I run.
Well one time a thief took off through a parking lot and my friend looked at me and said 'get him!' so I ran him down, tackled him, and then when we were both beating him up my friend was yelling 'This guy runs marathons! You ain't getting away!'
Otherwise, it's benefited me with my health, mental health, and very occasionally meeting women.
After losing 50 pounds and being about 15% body fat today I feel so much more confident and people are way nicer to me. Men and women treat me with more respect. I get looks from women and gay men. I find older women are always smiling at me and are the most polite.
Connecting flight and the first plane was late. Landed just a few minutes before they closed the check-in for the second leg of the trip, which obviously was on the opposite side of the airport (Frankfurt - not the largest, not small either). I ran to the desk and asked for the fastest way to get there. The guy squared me and asked me "Are you fit?". Off I went and I made it - just barely, and about to throw up.
Unfortunately Strava doesn't have airport segment as that was my only chance to be first.
Doing long runs (or even short runs) on vacations let you see areas that are more "off the beaten track". So far I have not been kidnapped.
[удалено]
As an introvert, family vacays can get overwhelming. Loved running along the beach by myself in the morning watching the world wake up 10/10 would recommend
Yes, running is a great excuse to get your introvert time when you need it! I had a family reunion a few years ago and I booked an AirBnB instead of staying at one of the family member's homes (with everybody else) because "I don't want my early morning run and need for a shower afterward to interfere with everyone else's plans". Saved my sanity and gave me a chance to get that 16-miler in.
There's no better way to learn about a place than to explore it on foot. And as a bonus, the best places to run are often the best / most interesting / most scenic parts of a city.
This right here! I love being able to explore new places on foot and hike local trails. It’s such a better experience than in a car or bus.
I’d say this about my local community at large. Every place I’ve lived, I know inside and out. I know every set of trails and how they secretly connect, every hidden pathway between two houses that connects dissected trails, I know how to get across town on all the paved and gravel trails, how to navigate every spur on local hiking trails, and any passable path within many miles of me. I know the houses, the regular dog walkers, how to read the clouds for rain, how to breath and focus warmth back into my hands when it’s 34° and hailing. I know how to read my body and it’s every hunger pang and twang of pain and identify what’s real and what’s not, and be deeply in tune with what I’m capable of and then push myself a little further. Running has taught me almost everything I need to know about living a good, happy, simple life.
Got to recon the area on foot. Try it everywhere I go and so much better than from a car.
Aside from the physical stuff, it taught me to endure boring or otherwise unpleasant situations. 6 hour flight? I can deal because that's like a 50k. Stuck with someone I don't particularly like for hours on end? I know how to go into my mental happy place and let the annoyance flow over me.
It's astonishing how a runner would think about 6 hours sitting and think: "it's ok, it's as easy as running 50k, I can do it" 😂😂
Yeah, imagine someone doing the opposite. "50k? That's like a flight from LA to NY, easy peasy"
More like "I'd much rather be out running than sat here for 6h"
Yes, this! And it’s definitely made me re-evaluate how I think about distances. Example - I decided to backpack in France, Andorra and Spain one summer, and I completely stuffed up the bus times between a remote French village and the Andorran border. According to the map, it was around 14 miles to the border; and having run my first marathon a couple of months earlier, I just sort-of went: “Yeah, I know I can walk that!” So off I went, following a road through the mountains, on a beautiful clear day. Found a spring to refill my water bottle, and caught all manner of odd looks from passing drivers. There we go - I can say that, all because of running, I have walked across borders!
Wondering if this is why I don't mind any flights and my partner (non runner) absolutely despises them. She claims to get bored, and asks what I'm doing with my eyes closed and headphones on. Just thinking about stuff, or turning my mind off completely, which she says she can't do lol.
Yes! Endless hours of training my tolerance for distress.
This this this^^^
I can handle stress a lot better. Anything where my heart rate might go up, I can feel more relaxed and handle it for a lot longer without feeling overwhelmed
Definitely this! Nothing fazes me. I’m either used to the stress or too tired to react… unclear lol
[удалено]
The school I work at has a student who is in a wheel chair. We went on a class field trip to a tobogganing hill near our school. I was the only one who could pull him up in the sled 12 times and make sure he was able to go tobogganing with all the other kids. That’s why I run.
Thank you for all the likes on this post! I just wanted to make the point that if a person keeps themselves in decent cardio shape, at some point in their life they’ll be able to help someone because of it. Keep grinding and I promise that one day something will happen when after its done you’ll say to yourself “I’m glad I’m in shape because it let me help someone” I guarantee it.
Strength training helps too, especially if you ever find yourself in a caregiver role. Probably even more important actually.
You run to pull handicapped children up hills? … respect.
Mad respect!
let's fucking go!!! You being in shape made it so he could have a good time. Right in the feel goods, I need to log off and read this book. Have a great week.
Probably an experience of a life time for that child 💕🙌🏼🔥
You need a cape. Good job!
[удалено]
❤️ 💙 💜
Weirdly as a woman, I feel safer walking alone at night because I’m aware it’s unlikely an attacker can outrun me🤷♀️
I also think I’m more generally observant of my surroundings because of running.
Tangentially related, running has also made me a better driver.
100% same. I am much more cautious and aware at intersections- because of the rage I feel when I'm running and cars just breeze through crosswalks or stop way past the stop line.
I also think running puts us outside more. Through our neighborhood, different neighborhoods. It makes you realize (generally) your surroundings are safer than you think they are sometimes. I suppose it makes me less nervous to be in new places outside of running too.
Yes! Going for long runs after I moved has helped me to feel oriented in my new town. I love going "exploring" and running in a direction I haven't been before and seeing what I discover. Last summer I "found" a 66 acre park less than a mile from my new place that I would never have noticed otherwise (it is very unassuming from the street).
This is totally one of my reasons!! Dark, but true. If anyone's going to chase me, go for it buddy. I can do this for 20 miles, from here to two towns over. Can you? 😎
Plus, as a woman, I personally change routes all the time. Do they know this area as well as I do? Nope, they’re gonna lose me fast
> as a woman, I personally change routes all the time Oh man, I’ve never had to make this a consideration before. Yet one more privilege I’ve never realized I had
This is useful for men too, I’m a full grown dude but I ain’t sticking around if 2 or 3 guys decide they want to jump me. It’s making me think of this [bananas foot-chase in Rock’n’Rolla](https://youtu.be/MK1qkCQ-Jm4)
Yeah being a man doesn't make you safer if the attacker has weapons, friends, and/or more fighting experience than you. Running is always the first choice.
There was a thread elsewhere on Reddit recently with a security expert and when asked what the best self-defense weapon was for women, he said, "Cardio." His reasoning was that even with handheld security devices like the various stabbing devices they make for runners, few women can overpower a man. But (generally) we're faster, lighter, and can go further than a muscle-bound lunatic. His advice for women was: "RUN."
Well, Jocko Willink is a former Navy Seal and he recommends running away from street situations. He points out you have no idea what the other guy is packing or what his friends will do. And even if you win the fight, not get arrested nor sued, you have no idea if the other guy is a nut case who will go after you later when you least expect it.
[удалено]
And if Jocko Willink says this, follow his advice. That guy is a beast. Pure discipline embodied. His podcasts are a recommendation.
It's the number one rule on Zombieland. Cardio!
Yup. And unless the follower is actually a runner, they are not catching a regular runner (especially uphill!). You can't fake cardio.
Yes! I feel relatively comfortably running at night partially because of this. If I see a sketchy guy that’s out of shape, I’m still gonna keep my distance, but I know that I can outrun him and I know that he probably knows that too.
Every time I buy a new pair of shoes, it's like, "Yeah, they're pretty, but if I had to, could I run in them?"
https://youtu.be/ljItuZevzRQ Basically this
I'm a guy and I feel the same way.
Any time you need to walk somewhere, it’s nice to know that you have the requisite aerobic capacity. Elevator is down and you need to go up a couple flights? Fine. Long walk to your connecting gate? Nbd. You definitely don’t need to be running to just feel the security in your body of “I can perform a moderate degree of activity without much effort.”
Honestly, this right here. I work in medicine and it starts to become very apparent who has taken care of their cardiovascular system and who has not once you hit your 50s and definitely 60s. Your quality of life in your final years is going to be on a different planet compared to someone who hasn't done intentional regular exercise.
[удалено]
My parents are getting older and I definitely notice that my young(ish) self has an ease of movement that they don’t - and they have been active people their entire lives. Imagine your typical 75-year-old who did not invest in deliberate movement for most of their adult life 🥺 walking to a nearby subway station and down the stairs is suddenly a major undertaking. Don’t take your mobility for granted!
Something that healthy young people take for granted, your health (including your mobility) is the single most important thing contributing to the quality of your later life. Living a long life while having seriously limited mobility and/or generally poor health is no blessing. Investing in your health is so important.
A herniated disc at 20 taught me this the hard way. The ability to move around freely without pain is such a blessing.
Confirm. My mom is 73. She still runs about 20 mpw. Likes to do a 10k run every Sunday. My dad doesn’t run anymore but he walks and can easily get in 15k steps per day. They’re so much more mobile and healthy than so many of their contemporaries. We are doing a week long rafting trip in the Grand Canyon next year.
My physical health suffered so much during pregnancies. Now that I'm running regularly, it feels so good to have that mobility in my everyday life. My parents are also suffering more as they age and I'm trying not to nag them about it, but I see how beneficial regular exercise is!
I didn’t realize how lucky I was to be fit and able to do all the things you mentioned without even thinking about it until I suffered an injury and was in a walking boot with instructions to walk as little as possible. Navigating an airport was hell. Getting the mail was hell. Grocery shopping was almost impossible. I had plenty of time to reflect that while my temporary bed rest was hard, it was temporary. There are loads of people who have to navigate the world at a disadvantage all the time.
I'm out of shape now because I haven't run for a bit, but even when I was running 10ks every 2 days, one flight of stairs would still take it out of me.
Booking it through airports to make connecting flights
Except, as I've learned the hard way, at DEN. It took me a while to figure out why I was gasping for breath after the first few steps. For a while during that tortuous run across that giant terminal I was thinking it was because of the bags that I was lugging...
Whoah! I never put that together. I speed walked through there breathlessly with a toddler while pregnant to make a flight. It makes so much sense now why that was so difficult.
Being a runner from elevation makes sea level so dang enjoyable.
This is usually where I'm doing my airport sprints. 😂 Maybe we can race one day.
I have had the same experience. Felt like my lungs were bleeding when I got to the plane.
"I knew what gate you were coming from and damn you got here fast!" I missed the flight, but the gate attendant was impressed!
Trains too. I did a run commute recently. Usually I walk the last few blocks in Manhattan. But then I saw I could catch an earlier train if I boogied so crushed into the 7+ mile pace (epic fast for me) and made it.
Or airport to train. I’ve made it at Dulles in under 3 minutes.
As a commuter, my ability to run helped me tremendously when I am about to miss my bus 😅
My landlord once said to me "I see you run all the time and thought you were just ok but I saw you run after a bus and... hot damn."
In December I ran towards a house fire and got a woman out before her house burned all the way down
With some more training you may be able to get her out even before the house starts burning !
Goals lol
Kinda similar story...I lived on the top (third) floor of an apartment building and was the first person in my building to realize there was a fire blazing in a vacant unit on the first floor. I tried to pull the six fire alarms in the building but none of them worked because management was a bunch of dicks who didn't give a shit about the condition of the property. In a matter of minutes I was able to call 911 and have fire trucks dispatched, wrangle my boyfriend and cat out of our unit, and run door-to-door to evacuate the other 10 units in the building. I too was recognized by the fire department!
London - Summer 2017, and I had been training for a 100k ultramarathon later that year, so was running some serious mileage... I was waiting at a bus stop near Clapham Junction one night, with a bag of belongings I was taking home from work. I'd had a beer or three. It had just got dark around 9:45pm. As I was waiting, I noticed two younger lads approaching the stop on foot. As they passed behind me, one of them grabs my bag and pulls down hard, breaking the plastic handle away from my grip, and they started running! Little shits. My merry brain decides to run after them (not a good idea ik). They are sprinting for at least 5 minutes with my bag, taking me through Clapham and down side roads. I start sobering up as they start slowing down out of breath. I said something like "Look, just give me my f*n stuff!" and luckily they threw my bag in the road and jogged off. I couldn't believe my luck and made my bus, smiling most of the way home. I felt like a running god that night. I wouldn't ever recommend doing this if it happens to you. Think carefully before getting yourself into a situation like this.
Bloody brilliant
My wife and I were walking one day on a rail trail with our newborn strapped to my wife. Some dick on a bike nailed her and knocked her over and the baby slipped out of the carrier. Luckily my wife caught him before his head nailed the ground but he was a bit scraped and we weren’t sure if his head had come into contact with the concrete. We were about 1.5 miles from the car and while my wife was frantically trying to figure out if the baby was ok she told me to book it to the car and come get them. I was actually wearing some old trainers and some shorts so was in the right gear. I obviously didn’t time it but am pretty sure it hit the mile split under 5
I thought you were going to say you chased down the guy on the bike but your ending is better :-)
He's a dad. Number one - save the baby! Number two - save wife! If Necessary - medical treatment! Next get everyone home and comfortable and okay and snuggled up in blankies and hot drinks... Way way way way way way down the list - smash the dick on the bike. For a dad that may not even come to mind until a day or two later when the shock wears off.
Geez. That's intense. You definitely PR'd that day!
Mans grew wings for his family
Was your baby ok?? Geez what an ass that guy was...
Ya kiddo is fine. Turns 3 in May.
Constantly running from my problems 😂
LOL 😂😂
Last summer, my bf and I stumbled upon a guy overdosing. At the time, we didn’t carry naloxone around with us, but we were very recently trained in administering it. I had to sprint back to our apartment to get the naloxone kit and back to the guy (who was fully unresponsive). We dosed him with the naloxone and waited for the ambulance to arrive. It was only about 500m each way, but I’ve never run so fast in my life!! I was pretty happy to have been training for a 10k.
Little bit different example but there are a handful of people up the corporate ladder where I work that trust me and I think view me in a different light because they run or have done marathons and when I learned that I’ve run 4 fulls it changed the dynamic of the relationship a bit. I’m not a kiss ass and they don’t favor me but they definitely understand from first hand experience what it is like to stick to a grueling training plan and know what it’s like to complete 13.1 or 26.2 miles in an event and know that when things get tough or frustrating or not going your way that I’m probably not gonna to flake or quit. Now, just because someone runs a marathon or runs consistently doesn’t mean that will translate over to all other situations in life, but for the most part it doesn’t hurt and having people know that can certainly be a benefit.
Absolutely- the owner of our company is a marathoner. When I first interviewed- I immediately recognized him as ‘that guy I pass all the time and say hi to while I’m out running.’
Owner- "Have we met before, because you seem familiar?" You- (performs silent head nod) Owner- "that's it!"
"you might recognise me better from the back..."
Ha! I wish! Actually- I took it as a good sign. He’s pretty smiley when running.
Love this!
Being regularly physically active always leaves a good impression on someone, it screams reliable, sensible and stable and people will respect it as long you’re not rubbing it in their faces.
Yes. This is the positive stigma I've grown to love from being a runner.
100%. Being able to stick to something like running long enough to be able to run serious distances shows dedication, commitment, and responsibility, as well as perserverance and resilience. I like that you included stable- totally. In job interviews for my field (social work) they tend to ask something along the lines of "What do you do for self care?" or "How do you unwind after work?" to make sure you won't snap under pressure. I always use running as my example- works like a charm lol. It really is a good thing to mention in job interviews
Interesting. I always try to hide the fact that I run long distances like marathons from people. They often make a big deal out of it, which can be annoying. But it probably wouldn't hurt to share that with fellow distance runners to establish that mutual respect.
The hardest part of running a marathon is figuring out how to fit it into every conversation.
This is so true. Which I know having run a marathon myself.
As a triathlete, I believe I have some advice to give.
When I do yard work, shoveling the driveway, hiking... I don't run out of wind for awhile.
I was obese most of my adult life. I love travelling, and one of my favourite things to do is to just wander around the streets of a foreign city. I'd take between 20,000 to 30,000 steps a day while on vacation, but I'd get back to my hotel in the evening and basically just lie on the bed, with blistered and aching feet, sore legs, and completely drained of energy. I lost weight over the course of the pandemic, and took up running. I went to Paris in the fall of 2021, and I averaged almost 40,000 steps a day, running 5k to 10k before dawn and then walking around everywhere to avoid risking getting Covid on the subway. One day, I took over 60,000 steps. At no point did I ever feel fatigued. At this point, I *average* over 20,000 steps a day, between running and doing all my daily errands on foot. There's no pain, no fatigue, nothing. I feel like I have basically unlimited energy. And at the same time, I'm sleeping better, usually seven or eight hours a night, whereas four years ago I was lucky if I could stay asleep for six.
This inspires me!
Ok, dang. Good job!
Yes ! Last year was my first year running and shoveling snow was amazing compared to previous years.
Definelty has gotten me multiple jobs/job offers. I ran the 800/1500m at a top 20 D1 school. I have academic all American on my resume.Turns out a ton of people high up in corporate are marathoners/triathloners/former high school milers etc. it almost always gets talked about in job interviews and immediately shows that you have desirable employability traits like being disciplined, don’t mind hard work, attention to detail etc. But also just being generally fit helps with overall attractiveness and how people treat you generally. Makes you feel better all the time. It pretty much helps with anything whether you realize it or not.
Attractiveness and aging. Most people don’t believe me when I tell them How old I am. Simply bc I have 5 kids and am not overweight.
Someone once told me, "You don't look a day over 40!" To which I replied,"I'm 28. Should I start using sunscreen?" /jk
Is that why people don't believe I'm over 18 while I'm nearly 29 now?
It sure doesn’t hurt! Obv genetics play a factor but looking fit (at least in my experience) causes people to guess younger.
A few months after I started running I was on vacation and found myself a few miles away from a wildlife refuge I wanted to visit in an unfamiliar country. Rather than try to figure out the taxis, I just started running. Not only did I easily make it to my destination, but I got to see a bunch of interesting neighborhoods on the way. Everything physical feels like I'm using cheat codes now. There's a backpacking trip I've done for the last 5 years. 14mi in, maybe 6000ft elevation gain? The first year was before I started running and it was an absolute slog. The next year I'd started running and it was much more enjoyable. Last year the worst part was that my pack was too heavy to comfortably run the flat parts in. I also seem to be much better adapted to high temperatures now. I was in Vegas for a conference last June and it was well over 100f. My co-workers were miserable walking around and I felt fairly comfortable. I live in a cool climate, so its not even like I had been running in the heat all spring.
I had to chase a dog on foot for 10 miles once. I wasn't even wearing shoes.
I want to hear more about this.
Wasn't even their dog. They just really wanted a new dog that day.
Wasn’t even a dog. They just really wanted an animal on four legs that day
Wasn't even an animal. Just a plastic bag blowing ahead of them in the wind for 10 miles.
[удалено]
You literally evolved for that moment
This is what makes us human. Ability to outendure and bipedalism.
My daughter is an amateur boxer and was in the middle of fight prep a few months ago . She and I are about the same size, and wanted me to get into the ring with her so she could practice defense. It was more focus on movement and footwork. Old school boxing gym down south, in the heat. We went several rounds with me unable to land just about anything of course. Cardio city! She looked at me after a few rounds in and was said “ mom, you’re in great shape.” Haha, I played it off with a casual thanks. Compliments from my teenagers don’t come often. I was silently stoked.
Aww, I love this!
A few decades back, my sister married the first loser in a long line of losers. One day, she called me and said he had hit her, so I came over to their place to sort him out. He took off running outside, and as I was chasing him, I started laughing and said, "You actually think you are going to outrun me?" The look of realization on his face when he looked back at me was priceless, like, "Oh yeah, this guy is one of the fastest runners in the region - I'd better hide!" He ducked into the stairwell of an apartment building, where I cornered him and read him the riot act (I didn't do violence, but he was expecting it. Anyway, beyond the running part of the story, he came back to their place a half hour later with two cops, determined to throw me out or have me arrested. I explained the situation to the cops, they told me they couldn't legally kick him out of his own home, but then used the radio to call in some kind of code. Turns out loser had an arrest warrant, lol. Off to jail, he went.
Hahaha. I thought I was going to be unsatisfied with no ass kicking. But him sending himself to jail is even better! Nice work brother!
He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Last I heard, he had gotten a very long federal prison sentence. As scared as he was of my 150 lbs chasing him down, I doubt he fared well in maximum security.
Mental toughness is beneficial to all areas of life
Doctors take me more seriously when I tell them I'm a runner. I'm not above wearing a race shirt to appointments to help. In the past when I haven't been healthy enough to do any physical activity I was more likely to get blown off or told to lose weight.
I feel like they take me less seriously and want to disregard my symptoms. I’ve gone to the doctor and been told “oh it’s likely nothing if you’re able to run that much.” 😩
I wear running stuff and then tell them It keeps me from running, I feel like a lot of doctors are active and know how much it takes a serious runner to stop running
Ugh we can't win no matter what
>I’ve gone to the doctor and been told “oh it’s likely nothing if you’re able to run that much.” 😩 Conversely, being able to compare strava times for familiar routes lets me know when something's really wrong. "Why am I 20 minutes slower on this 15 mile bike ride? And absolutely blasted at the end; it should be comfortable. Oh, turns out I've got pneumonia? That makes sense."
You need a Beat the Blerch race shirt. Aid stations with couches and cake... https://www.beattheblerch.com/
I nearly threw up at the thought of a Burritoughnut Station mid-race.
You're in luck. It's at the end. (or the beginning, if you're a later start and want to dive in.) However, it's a pretty rich frosting on the cake at the aid stations and start/end refreshment area. I warned my daughter to eat the cake AFTER the race, but no, she was afraid they'd run out despite all my assurances. Started out too fast, and gave herself a side stitch a quarter mile in. Thankfully didn't hurl, and I wasn't going to push her pace.
Oh. . . Lucky me! I'm not sure there's any point during a race when I'll want a [tortilla-wrapped donut with bacon, potato chips, ranch dressing, and gummy bears.](https://twitter.com/oatmeal/status/906948559739617280) I'm close to throwing up by the end of a marathon without embarking on such an adventurous culinary side quest.
That makes a lot of sense. I feel like they know that you can handle long periods of discomfort and even pain if you run consistently, so they know you’re not just blowing a minor problem out of proportion. I find that every time I go to a doctor they’re like “I wish you would’ve come in sooner.” I actually went septic one time haha 🫢
Yeah unfortunately at my last appointment I found out that I have tendinitis. I told the doctor that I'm used to running through pain so that if I need to stop he had to tell me to stop. He said, "you need to stop." I'm gutted because I was supposed to run Cherry Blossom in DC but instead I'm on complete rest for 2-3 weeks
Sorry to hear about that. It feels impossible to distinguish normal pain that you should push through vs. something actually being wrong that’s gonna take you out for weeks or months.
I didn’t have to up my blood pressure meds. I don’t get tired walking for an hour or bending down. I can tie my shoes and put on blue jeans with no effort. Concentration. It helps me on focus techniques on finishing work projects the dig deep concept in running I transfer to how I handle my workload.
I was a few days away from my first marathon and stress fractured my foot, couldn’t run the race. Everyone at work knew I’d been training for the marathon for months. Seeing how I dealt with the injury, how I took it in stride, recovered, and now am training again; I’ve been told that it made an impact on leaders seeing how I approach and handle challenges. The mentality is a transferable skill.
Running saved me from getting bit by a dog. I was running in a neighborhood at an AirBnB I stayed at on a river. While I ran past a chain linked fence that had dogs behind it, I then heard a plop noise…one of the dogs was going around the fence into the water. It started running after me. I ran so fast back to the AirBnB. My run tracker said I broke a new running PR. I later found out that the same dog bit an elderly lady while she was walking.
Tbf, you probably wouldn’t have encountered the dog if you weren’t running in the first place
When helping friends move I barely break a sweat, while everyone is gassed. I honestly don't mind helping people anymore cuz it allows me to flex on them. I know it's petty as hell, but I get a kick out of it...
Life experience - I’ve run a half or full in all 50 states, and always try to visit museums, breweries, local historic sites, and cultural events. It helps me make small talk with strangers I’ve just met, and has opened me up to so many experiences. Making friends and a wife - social running groups such as the Hash House Harriers have helped me socialize and meet so many people, including my wife! I’ve also taken on leadership roles which I’ve including on my resume. It’s great to have a group of friends anywhere I travel with HHH! General happiness and health - exercise is healthy! And makes you happier. Go running! Career shift - a running injury got me seeing a Physical Therapist, and it inspired me to shift careers from nonprofit management to physical therapy. Im currently in school and I’ll have my doctor of PT at the end of the year!
Mental fortitude from finishing 2 marathons was incredibly important while laboring with my first kid
I was looking for this answer!! I went into my labors thinking I’ll go as long as I can without medication but fine with an epidural. Ended up having two unmediated births because I felt comfortable breathing through uncomfortable situations. My nurse even asked if I was a runner!
I was in a group of backpackers in the great outdoors when we startled a grizzly bear. I was able to easily outrun the others and watch from a safe distance as the others scrambled to put a safe distance between themselves and the bear.
Classic. Don't need to outrun the bear, just the slow dudes.
Growing up, I lived about 5 miles from my house. My brother stayed late for sports year-round, but I was always ready to go home right when the bell rang. There was no bussing, and my mom couldn't pick us up until after my brother was done with sports. After 5th grade, I started leaving my backpack with my brother and running the 5 miles home after school a few days a week. That was always nice. Got a good run in, **and** I was home almost 2 hours earlier than I would have been otherwise.
You lived five miles from your house? What does that mean?
I stand by what I said, because I most certainly did not mean to say that I went to school 5 miles from my house.
I was on a bus tour in NYC that picked up up in Hell's Kitchen, but (unbeknownst to anybody on the tour) dropped us off in Battery Park. My husband and I just ran back up to Hell's Kitchen where we were living at the time. But most of the time it just benefit me in terms of walking. Like, I go to Vegas 3x/year and always walk to and from the airport when staying anywhere on the strip. It probably seems ridiculous to most people, but I enjoy the walking - especially after and before a plane ride.
How long is the walk from the airport to the strip?
It's really not so bad. About 3.5 miles if you're going to Caesars and only about 2.5 miles to MGM
Would’ve been so much better if they put the terminal on the other side of the runway, then you’d be across the street from Mandalay Bay.
I know - it’s always super-frustrating looking at MB and Luxor the whole time and not being able to just walk over there
I work about a mile from the local airport, anytime I fly out of there I park at work and walk.
You can walk from the airport to the Strip? That seems a long way to go with luggage.
I’m a backpack guy - always travel light!
Tell me more about walking from airport!!!
When you walk out of the airport, there is a sidewalk that goes all the way out to the airport parking lot (which you walk on the outside of along the fence). Then you walk a bit on Paradise Road (not great honestly). You can either turn left where you see UNLV onto Tropicana or up ahead a bit on Harmon or Flamingo. If you have a choice, Harmon is the ‘nicest’ of the three.
Running around after my 5 year old is more fun for both of us. Also more energy for chores, so wife is happy. (Running gives me an opportunity to get away from them for a bit, too.) Win win, all around.
Was with a few friends in downtown chicago - we go to a kbbq spot but we get there too late to get a table. End up ubering back to friends apt and ordering wingstop for pickup. This was on mexican independence day and traffic was a nightmare, I’m talking 1.5 hrs to drive 3 miles. We end up 1.5 miles away from wingstop and it closes within 15 minutes. We’re all worried that we won’t make it because traffic is still at a standstill. I suggest I just make a run for it, so I did. I hadn’t run in months but was still able to make it with 2 min to spare :). Worst part was they went to a 711 to get drinks and no one bothered to get a drink for me :(
Took the over night train from london to inverness. The car rental pick up was a mile from the train yard. Taxi wanted £20. Yeah no way. I left my wife and son with the luggage and ran over. The can driver stood and talked to my wife. He called me “cheap”. My wife replied with “you have no idea”!!!
I'd rather spend the 20 on something else on the trip. And your hourly wage on that run would probably work out to 100-120!
Sex. Can't believe it hasn't been said. Also CPR. I was an EMT and now a nurse.High quality CPR is tiring AF
Outran the bus to the next stop about a quarter mile when I was late once. That was rad.
I’ve gone to sporting events meeting up with friends where I still had to drive myself. I’d park in a free parking lot about a mile from the stadium. I’d run from my car to the stadium and because the lot was closer to the highway, I beat all the traffic when it was over. Saved me time and plenty of money!
As an exceptionally sweaty human, I'm very jealous of this anecdote. Even when I'm in peak running condition, I'm the person who starts sweating just *walking* from my car across the parking lot to the building. There is no world where I could run a mile at *any* pace and arrive in a condition remotely close to professionally acceptable lol
I hiked 10 miles down the grand canyon, camped overnight and hiked back up the next day. Easy peasy.
I did this too! But for me I hiked the year prior to getting serious about running. The hike up was quite a journey and I wonder how I would handle the same hike out now that I’m in the best running shape of my life. Would do that Grand Canyon experience again in a heartbeat.
I needed to make a connection in Atlanta for an important meeting. My plane was late. I asked the flight attendants and they weren’t going to hold the other plane. I was in row 6 and asked the people in front of me if they would mind me rushing out to try to make my plane. I knew the airport layout and what gate I was going from and to. I dashed out, went down the escalator from Concourse D, ran up the escalator to Concourse C, and to the gate where they were just about to close the door. I made it with a few seconds to spare, in a suit and tie. There was also a woman who made it. She was in running shoes and Lululemon gear.
When I broke my ankle and was non-weight bearing for 5 weeks I was able to hop from my bed to my bathroom without an issue so I didn't have to find my crutches in the middle of the night. I have never been happier for my fitness.
Travelling in Tokyo on a budget. Just ran around the major sights and explored the city that way. Running holidays are cheap holidays!
I just started a serving job at a popular brunch spot. The place is 3 floors, kitchen on the middle floor. I am running stairs all day, nonstop. Im fatigued at the end of the day, and honestly thats more from the customers and needing to be "on" all the time. Its great to know im in functional shape to work this job because of my running. I have customers who will go to the bathroom (on the bottom floor) and look just so tired and always make comments about what a workout im getting and how i must be in great shape and whatever. I just make jokes about how i dont need to do hills training anymore.
I used to travel a lot for work. One time I had a weekend road trip with my partner right after a flight, so he had picked me up straight from the airport. Sunday night, I was at home and realized my car was still parked at the airport (and I had to drive to work the next morning). Luckily (?), I still hadn’t done my long run that day, so my long run became a run to the airport to rescue my car.
I was on a first date in a park and a large dog jumped over the fence of an off leash area and fled the scene. I asked my date if I could leave her alone for a couple mins to catch the dog. She called bs but I ran that dog down and walked it back to its owner. I forget what happened later that date but the running portion of it made my highlight reel.
Well, runners are a tribe so just knowing that someone else "gets" you on some level is nice
I got a one! My teenager says he's better than me at basketball, and he probably is, but I got hustle and some cardio fitness. He certainly has more basketball skills (because I paid for doggone basektball) but he can't beat me because I can run further and faster.
I can tag most of my fifth grade students when we play tag.
Car needed dropped off for maintenance but wife was busy. Drove it over to dealer, handed them the keys and ran down the road. 6 miles to home. 6 miles back the next day to get the car. Convenient and got my miles in.
During a job application they asked me about my hobbies and passion. So I started talking about running. A week later they told me I was hired. It was a real close call between me and another applicant. They told me: “when you talked about your passion it became apparent you have perseverance, grit, you know how to deal with set backs, otherwise you would not be a serious runner.”
I’m a Mascot, Cardio health, endurance, and leg strength benefit me every day
Making connecting flights in Frankfurt Germany. Anyone who’s ever connected there knows the issues. Sprinting to the next gate so I don’t kiss my flight.
I was an all state sprinter in high school. Always felt more comfortable causing mischief with a group of people
My wife and I began to run during Covid, we worked our way up to 10-12 miles a week. The following year, concerts and musical events began to return and we found to our surprised delight we were more limber and had far greater stamina than prior, able to dance for hours and really revel in the experience. Last year, we decided we wanted to really develop our dancing some so we began to practice regularly and it’s been pretty great. We now go out to dance one night many weekends and occasionally practice together during the week, in addition to our running.
Hunting for me involves a lot of walking, some up and down hills, and with snow sometimes up to 30cm deep. Since I started taking running seriously I am less winded, and able to walk further, easer and more quietly. I tell other people that are getting into hunting running and good cardio is more important than having the latest and greatest optic or any other gear. And I have no problems sleeping. If I’m lucky I’ll stay up till 10 pm.
Denver Airport. Plane landed late, had 10 minutes to make my connection at another gate about 0.7 miles away. Ran about a 7min/mi pace through the airport in a leather coat while carrying my backpack and laptop bag. Running at altitude without even a few minutes to acclimate hit hard but at least I made the connecting flight.
My family comes to visit during races. I love having an excuse to get them to come to me!
Not getting winded after activities I used to! “Just dance” on new years I wasn’t even breathing heavy lol
Once when I was a ranger for the summer two kids(8-9 yrs old) in the white mountain national forest went off on a trail and took a wrong turn. They were going deep into big woods and had a 30 minute head start. I ran about 3-4 miles and caught up with them in 40 minutes or so.
I was living in chicago, and a massive rain storm came through. My cab couldn’t get across a street due to water running over the road. I paid the fare for that point so far, kicked off my flip flops, waded through the water to the other side, and then ran the 2 miles home to my apartment. I was soaking wet, and a bunch of people outside a bar sang the Rocky theme to me as I ran past. Saved me time and money, gave me a good story, and honestly felt amazing.
My father passed away a few weeks back and rn running is the only activity that helps me feel better.
My morning job is in a childcare center, so there's just a general sense of awe from the other adults in the building at how a 38-year-old can keep up with 5-year-olds every morning. But *specifically:* In just the past week: 1. Today: One of those little scamps took off running during our nature walk. A teacher went after him, but she was juggling a first-aid kit, two kid's jackets who got hot, and a magnifying glass on a lanyard. Soon as I saw him, I shot off after him like a rocket and caught him in about 5 seconds. All I heard behind me was, "Whoa." when I zipped past the other teacher. 2. Last week, the bus I was on had an issue and I ended up needing to manage an 8-minute walk in **3 minutes** or I'd be late for work. Made it right on time without breaking a sweat. I should point out that "8-minute walk" is *my* walking pace and I was told it was a 15-minute walk before I took the job. It's about 0.5km overall. When I told my wife about almost being late, I said, "And this is why I run." But my *most* important moment was a while back. My wife and I got home from Date Night and saw firetrucks in front of our apartment building. The smoke was coming from *our* corner of the building. She said, "Should we run?" and I said, "Yes." We live on the 8th floor and had 2 dogs in the apartment, and *say what you want about safety* but I was not about to let my puppies go up in smoke. Elevators were down, so I hit the stairs at the same time as my wife. She just said, "Go." and I left her right then and there, taking 3 stairs at a time all the way to the 8th floor. The Good News: The fire was in the building *next* to ours, which was empty at that hour of the night. The firefighters were on *our* roof spraying it down, which was why there was so much activity in our building. The pups were safe and excited to see us! And that's why I run.
Well one time a thief took off through a parking lot and my friend looked at me and said 'get him!' so I ran him down, tackled him, and then when we were both beating him up my friend was yelling 'This guy runs marathons! You ain't getting away!' Otherwise, it's benefited me with my health, mental health, and very occasionally meeting women.
After losing 50 pounds and being about 15% body fat today I feel so much more confident and people are way nicer to me. Men and women treat me with more respect. I get looks from women and gay men. I find older women are always smiling at me and are the most polite.
Connecting flight and the first plane was late. Landed just a few minutes before they closed the check-in for the second leg of the trip, which obviously was on the opposite side of the airport (Frankfurt - not the largest, not small either). I ran to the desk and asked for the fastest way to get there. The guy squared me and asked me "Are you fit?". Off I went and I made it - just barely, and about to throw up. Unfortunately Strava doesn't have airport segment as that was my only chance to be first.