#4: Prescription Running

Running is the way I cope with daily stress and my past. To say 'running is my medicine' may be a cliche, but is undoubtedly accurate. Commonly, people rely on drugs, alcohol, food, or passive activities like television to escape their trauma or negative emotions. Most non-runners believe running only benefits the body, but the habit truly improves the mind and mood of the person in laced up shoes. Neuroscientists have found running activates serotonin (mood stabilizer) and endorphins (pain relief) in the brain. Similarly, if you attach a goal to running, then by meeting that goal you are also releasing dopamine (the reward chemical). By participating in this physical activity, you are naturally improving your mental and emotional state. Therefore my daily dose of running is as important as your daily multivitamin. 

When I set out to run my first marathon I was 25 years old, pregnant with my third child, working evenings, attending college, and raising a family. My husband Steve and I began training together after I gave birth to my son. Nine months postpartum, I crossed that first 26.2-mile finish line beaming with pride. Though I quickly needed to return to the hotel room in order to pump since I was still breastfeeding. I was hooked on running, and my sights were on my next goal: qualify for the Boston Marathon. 

Runners can qualify to run at the Boston Marathon in two ways: fundraising or by meeting a certain time requirement. My goal was to qualify by meeting the time requirement. A friend and I signed up for the White Rock Marathon in Dallas as our qualifying race, and began training. Our training plan was simple. We did not rely on cutting-edge technology, use coaches, or complex training tactics. Instead we focused on a simple watch, hills, and scheduled long runs. With a paper band on my arm displaying the cut off times needed: I set out to run the White Rock marathon. My legs burned, but I did it and was Boston bound. While I am proud of this running accomplishment, I realized that speed is not what fills me, and my goals since are not attached to time. 

Since I accomplished my speed goal qualifying for Boston, I spent the 26.2 miles of the Boston Marathon soaking up every aspect of the event. I gave high-fives to sideline supporters, took candy from smiling children, and talked to the other runners accompanying me on the course. While I wasn't attached to the time it took me to cross that finish line, passing over that threshold was an incredible feeling. With this significant feather in my runner's cap, I was on to my next goal. 

Work began on two goals simultaneously. I wanted to complete 100 marathons and also run a marathon in each of the 50 states. In 2018 I crossed the finish line of my 100th marathon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While it took me ten years to complete my 50 states goal, I did so January of 2022 in Lahaina, Hawaii. Just like the first marathon I ever ran 9-months postpartum,  I crossed those finish lines holding the hand of my husband Steve. Amidst these years of marathon running, I also became a six-time IRONMAN® athlete thanks to motivation and support by my gym friend Ron Gurely (who knew I was capable of this feat before I did). 

Marathons are a lot of fun--the celebratory atmosphere and abundance of spectators and runners--but there is no greater joy than running free in nature. I have run several 50 mile trail runs and my passion for 'getting lost' on the trail has inspired me to set my sights on my next goal: completing a 100 mile train run. To accomplish this goal I will be prescribing myself a heavy dose of running in nature for the next year. To quote Jon Muir: "into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul." What can you prescribe yourself that heals the soul? Seek activities, hobbies, and goals that heal you, rather than numb you.

Every incredible journey requires you to start somewhere. Before I could run 100 marathons I needed to run one. and before I ran one I needed to run one mile. Through the years I have steadily increased my dose of running; when you are just starting out the dose is much lower. But even that lower, initial dose is impactful. The improved mood from the serotonin boost, emotional pain relief from the surge of endorphins and the elation of that dopamine hit when you accomplish any-level running goal will be a medicine worth prescribing.

Until next Monday...