By Joscelyne Hauserman
Running is tough. It can be both physically and mentally grueling, especially if you live in the south during the summer months. If you’re not daunted by the idea of running in the blazing hot sun, I’m sure the sticky southern humidity has left you questioning your sanity at least a few times. Even if you’re not running in the heat, you’re most likely waking up before 5:00 am to get outside and run before the sun comes up. Still a little crazy, right? But we continue to do it. As runners, we disregard logical thinking and continue to go outside and run. But why?
Many people say they run for their health, and that makes total sense. Running regularly, even if it’s only 20 minutes a day three to four times a week, can significantly help anyone trying to lose weight or maintain fitness. A myriad of published studies show that running also helps prevent heart disease, stroke, and even breast cancer. In fact, one study by Paul T. Williams M.D. of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in California found that women who run 40 miles per week or more decrease their risk of cardiovascular disease by 45 percent. Williams also found that running, even at low mileage, can lower one’s blood pressure, LDL cholesterol (the bad kind), and resting heart rate. That’s pretty significant for a sport that requires no partners, equipment, or large investment of time and money.
Other than physical health, why else run? Maybe work was really straining today, a deadline wasn’t met, or the kids have been really testing your patience. Maybe you went out with friends, indulged in some greasy food, and now you’re feeling guilty. Perhaps you constantly have a lot on your mind and can’t seem to organize your thoughts very well. All of these situations have one thing in common: they stress you out!
Stress causes our bodies to release chemicals called catecholamines, raising our heart rate and blood pressure, and cortisol—a hormone from the adrenal gland linked to weight gain. These chemicals trigger our “fight or flight” response. Let’s face it—we’re not going to “fight” our boss, kids, or self when we get stressed out—but we can “take flight” in our own way by running. Running burns those catecholamines, helping you calm down and think more clearly. So for those who say “you can’t run from your problems,” well no, you can’t, but you can certainly run to feel better about them.
Speaking of feeling better, running also causes the body to release these magical little chemicals called endorphins; I’m sure you’ve heard of them. The release of endorphins is your body’s way of quelling physical or mental pain. It’s what gets you to that “runner’s high”— that overwhelming feeling of “I am happy. I am free. I could run like this forever.” It also causes that unrivaled sense of accomplishment you get after you just beat your personal record, ran a race, or made it up those hellacious hills. Although studies have yet to prove that endorphins are directly related to the overall sense of well-being, many have shown that running (or exercise in general) elevates one’s mood. In fact, some psychiatrists and psychologists have prescribed exercise as a way to treat mild to moderate depression. In addition, it’s been proven that elevated endorphin levels increase our ability to learn and remember things. How incredible! Running not only makes your body more fit, but your brain as well!
Okay, okay. Enough of all the health facts. Why else do we run? Science jargon aside, running offers a sense of community. For all of you reading this right now saying “No, I actually run alone,” that’s okay. I do, too. The community I am describing doesn’t necessarily mean the people next to you on the pavement or trail (although it could). I am referring to the sense of knowing that you are not the only one undergoing a journey. Whether you are running a race to support cancer research, dressing up for a themed fun run, or working toward your personal goals, you are not alone. There are other people out there putting forth the same amount of effort, facing the same challenges, and overcoming obstacles just like you. Sometimes knowing this can bring a sense of peace and calm into your life. The feeling of belonging is one of the best feelings we can attain. In fact, it’s number three on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (sorry, I know I said no more science stuff). So when I say community, know that I am talking about something far greater than physical proximity to people. I’m talking about an intangible togetherness that validates and fulfills the human spirit.
So why do we run? Why do we push ourselves in the heat and humidity, or freezing cold during the winter months? Why do we constantly strive to push through preconceived limitations of ourselves and others? The answer is simple. We run for our lives.
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Joscelyne Hauserman recently moved to Charlotte from central Pennsylvania. She graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing and a minor in Communications. She lives in Ballantyne with her boyfriend, Steve, and cat, Juniper. Joscelyne loves running, climbing, and anything outdoors!
