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Running to De-Stress?

12/21/2014

5 Comments

 
Why do YOU run? (If you run). Or why do you exercise? What motivates you? Is it the happy, endorphin-fuelled feelings you get as a result? Is it to meet a specific training goal or for a race? Is it simply because you love it? Is it a habit? Is it to lose or maintain weight? Or is it to get some thinking time and to thoroughly de-stress? For me, it's usually the first 3 or 4 listed here (depends if I have a race fixed in the future or not). If your motivation lies in the latter reasoning, then you may be interested in this article on Runner's World re: the negatives and potential hazards of running whilst stressed or with something on your mind:

http://www.runnersworld.com/sports-psychology/forget-your-stress-while-you-run?adbid=10152479703641987&adbpl=fb&adbpr=9815486986&cid=socTP_20141221_37349407

Seems crazy, yes? That it can be a BAD thing to run while feeling stressed, as (much like many others, I reckon) if I'm feeling stressed  or upset there's nothing better than getting out for a run to mull things over and to find my happy-place again. But, I suppose the take-home message from this would be to be cautious and stay aware and focused during your run if you're feeling not 100% mentally speaking. A good reminder to really focus on just the run, and stay in the moment: a mindful, kind of meditative run, which is one of the best kinds there is. I wish you all safe and happy running!

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Today is my rest day of the week, and I fully intend to do just that, albeit a bit of necessary house-work and Christmas shopping, I suppose. This week saw me complete: 4x awesome snow-crunching runs, 1x yoga session, 2x strength/weight training workouts. Everything I set out to do, fitness wise, I completed and ticked off = happy days. This week was also the last official week of teaching for me, so now I'm on holidays! Woohoo! We kicked off our long, winter holidays (we don't start work again until the beginning of March, due to Chinese New Year coming relatively late in 2015) by our 'family' Christmas party yesterday, where the three of us (Husband, I and Puppy) visited a local park (that we had pretty much to ourselves) where I felt like I was in Narnia, and we decorated a tree there whilst drinking mulled wine and listening to some tunes. This was great until we got too freezing cold and had to change venues to somewhere a lot warmer.
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Here's to safe, stress-free, injury-free running over Christmas, New Year's, and into 2015! Enjoy your weekend everyone! If you're on holiday too, enjoy every minute of it!!
5 Comments
Kristen link
12/20/2014 10:03:30 am

I completely get what they are saying about running when mentally depleted and stressed. I have been there and can recall a time or two when I actually broke down during my run because I wasn't present. Running can release stress, but it has to be done in the right way.

Love all of the beautiful snow and your festive red coat! Happy Holidays!!!

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Kim link
12/20/2014 10:27:35 am

So great that you get such a long vacation!!!
Stress-free is my goal these days - I'm trying to cut out as much as possible so I can just enjoy life!!!

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Kristina link
12/20/2014 11:50:18 pm

Wow, I thought the 2 weeks I have off was a lot of vacation time, but you WIN with getting two months off! I hope you enjoy all your time back home where I am thinking it will be a lot warmer!

I love the picture of you and your doggie on the bench - so sweet!!! :)

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Karen link
12/25/2014 04:13:15 am

What an awesome extended break! I am off work this week, but I got sick and I am quite miserable. I haven't run all week. I run to maintain weight, to destress, for the high, and I often feel like crap when I do it :( but I do it, usually I feel better when I am done, but I thin I really struggle withe energy because of my slowing thyroid and the old lady lack of hormones doesn't help lol It's cool your snow stays powdery! Love the picnic photos :)

Reply
running schlub link
12/30/2014 12:57:52 am

I run for the competitive factor, it's a challenge to go out on each run and try to accomplish a certain goal. Plus I love being outdoors on the trails.

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