Practicing what I was preaching
Hey all, Michael here! One of the things that I have really enjoyed doing over the last several years is getting outside and running long distances. As a chiropractor, one of the main aspects of my job is working with patients to achieve their optimal level of health and keep them functioning at a superior level. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to start a wellness journey is to get outside and move. I tell patients all day long to get outside and move. It was shortly thereafter, I realized that I wasn’t doing that. I really needed to practice what I was preaching. That’s when I decided to get out and start running.
I saw some great changes while running
After I started running, there were obvious downsides. I was exhausted all the time, I couldn't run very fast or run very far. But, the more I ran, the more I began to see improvements. I first noticed physical changes such as weight loss and increased energy. What I noticed above everything else was mental clarity and an improved mood from hitting the pavement and getting some much-needed me time. The further I ran, the further I wanted to run. I would never have thought I would want to run a half marathon someday. This has turned into a personal goal and is what keeps me coming back week after week.
Finally, a window of time for running
Fast forward 7 years. What is something that can take you from running 3 times a week (18 weekly miles) to absolutely zero miles? Having a 2-year-old and newborn in the house. Over the past 6 weeks, I have had to shift running to the back burner and focus on my family. Even though keeping family first is the right thing to do, I was still itching to lace my New Balances up (New Balance review coming soon) and get back out there. Every time I thought I had a window of time, Father Duty called. Well, today was the day! I had a window of time after my office hours and I decided to take it. The weather was slated to be on the chilly side, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I stepped into my runners, put on my cold gear, gloves, hoody, and headed out.
Focusing on my goals
I was ready to get back out there. Within the first few minutes of my run, I could feel my body start to ache in places I was not used to. My calves, my hip flexors, and my back were feeling it. I knew I was only running for 45 minutes but it felt like I wasn’t going to be able to go longer than 30 minutes. It felt like I was going to have to push myself.
I love the challenge of running outside. Feeling the pavement, running up hills, and the wind pushing against me, trying to stop me. And me not letting it! After finishing with a total distance of 3.80 miles, I was completely exhausted, but energized and focused. Focused on the goals I wanted to accomplish when it came to running. My goal is to run 600 miles in 2025. I know that sounds like a lot, but if I run on average between 50 and 55 miles a month, it should be an achievable goal. Being able to get out today has me looking forward to my next running window. Even though I didn’t run as long as I would have liked today, I was just happy to get back out there. On to the next starting line!
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