Why run? Why now?
Some of the views on a California Coastal Run
I recently contributed to an article titled: Why That Man Ran a Marathon in His Driveway, where I discuss the mental health benefits of Endurance Sports: This has me thinking of my love of running, cycling, swimming and triathlon and the myriad benefits they provide to so many people. I’m such a big proponent of Endurance Sports and introducing them to newcomers and even folks who don’t think of themselves as athletes. I am thankful that these sports exist and that at least running is one of the most accessible of all sports.
During Quarantine, for those of us who are allowed and encouraged to access the outdoors, running is one of the best means of aerobic activity. Just lace up your shoes, make sure you are in good health or cleared by a doctor, and look up any reputable source for guides and tips on running. Head outside and explore your neighborhood. Run down streets you’ve never been on, or hit the trails and marvel at the trees and birds and dirt. If you can’t go outside the treadmill works well. If you really can’t run, this may be a good time to work on your strength training and other areas of fitness that will support you running.
During times of stress, grief, sadness or worry, running can clear the mind and provide a grounding and perspective that can help us continue to put one foot in front of the other – literally and metaphorically. During times of joy, happiness and celebration, running reminds us that we are fully alive, fully in our bodies and fully present. Through running we learn about ourselves and about life – how to overcome challenges and the feelings of defeat, how to keep pushing when you want to give up, how to focus on the present moment when things are overwhelming. Running teaches us how we use our minds – what happens when things get tough, or when we are experiencing extreme joy that we don’t want to let go of? In a dedicated meditative running practice we learn that there are ups and downs, joys and sorrows, anger and elation and if we continue, day after day, year after year, we begin to know our minds and bodies deeply and we can take in life-enhancing lessons through this sport.
Dr. Cory Nyamora is a licensed psychologist, an endurance sports coach with certifications from USA Triathlon. He is the founder of Endurance – A Sports & Psychology Center, Inc. He provides running and triathlon coaching for beginner and experienced athletes, as well as psychological services to athletes, children, adults, and families. He provides trainings for organizations on topics related to the intersections of sports and mental health and overall wellness.
