Written By Brandy Centolanza
I was never sporty as a child or in high school and I could never understand why some of my friends chose to run for fun. These days, I certainly wouldn’t consider myself to be athletic but I do make exercise a daily routine, and sometimes that does include (gasp!) running. I started running a year ago with the intent of completing the Foam Fest 5K (I read about it in a magazine and thought it would be something healthy and fun my husband and I could do together). Well, I was derailed when I fell and hurt my foot and couldn’t participate in the race last year. I am proud and pleased to say today, though, that both my husband and I did finish this year’s Foam Fest this past Saturday. In addition to running, we had to overcome obstacles along the course, which included crawling and walking through mud, and climbing over walls and cargo nets. The race was challenging and messy but not as tough as I feared it was going to be, and it was a lot of fun. May I now add that I also think running in general has become fun for me. Wow. I don’t like to admit it, but I’ve actually started to enjoy running. Not every run is great, and there are days when I don’t feel like going at all or feel like giving up when I am on the trail, but I don’t. Instead, I trudge on, knowing how much better I will feel afterward. Someone told me the other day that running for him is like getting high without actually doing drugs. I thought that was interesting, but I do understand how he feels. Running, especially these last few months, has had a profound impact on me, both physically and mentally, and I get it now. I get it why runners run. I even roped my sister into running as well thanks to the couch to 5K program, which is what my husband and I used when we first started, and I’d love to do another 5K some time and get my children involved, making it a family event. I realize that running is not for everyone (I definitely had my doubts when I began), but I think exercise is, and the key is finding something that you like, something you will want to do because it makes you feel so much better afterward….biking, swimming, softball, tennis, yoga, or even just a simple walk around the block. Exercise really does wonders for the body and mind.