Runners: How has running changed your life?

[Anonymous]

I think it's worth a try, OP! I was a 5 mile a day runner in my early 20s, then dropped to 3 miles every other day, then 1 miles sometimes in the mornings. I didn't like my runners body that much (I'm female, felt too skinny, muscular legs, boobs shrank) so I moved to yoga, hiking and swimming, which I still do now (early 40s).

Running did always give me a "runners high" that other exercises don't. I also loved being able to throw on running shoes when I was traveling to explore new cities... You can cover so much ground! And I don't really get drenched in sweat doing the other exercises. And the thinking-meditative quality is true, but I find I also find that with walking/hiking/swimming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is "runner's face"/the skin issues?

I like running a lot, it's amazing to be able to just put on your shoes and headphones and go. You can exercise basically anywhere, anytime

Whenever a post about running comes up on this site, many posters will chime in to say they’d never run because it ages the face prematurely. Is it the sun, the jiggling, the grimacing, the lack of body fat? I don’t know. And it’s not universally true, but it is sometimes evident, particularly in very thin marathoner-types. Personally, I’ve noticed splotchiness/discoloration along my jawline only, where my hat doesn’t cover. Not specific to running, but most of the time I spend in direct sun is when I’m running.

I think it's mainly the low body fat. I've been running all my life and noticed at 35 that my face started looking like h*ll. Wrinkles, just looking totally haggard. Deep lines around my mouth and eyes. Then I got a desk job and gained ten pounds because I had no time to work out, and my facial appearance has improved so much. Quit that job and back to running, but haven't lost the ten pounds, and my face still looks good.

[Anonymous]

45 M, started running 3 years ago and now avg 25-30 miles a week. Physically, hasn't done much for me, I dropped maybe 5 lbs - I was already in decent shape (worked out with weights quite frequently since my 20s, and still do). But I always hated running (the last time I tried was in my 20s and I kept it up for maybe 2 months because I was getting terriible shin splints). Have had several minor injuries (hip impingement, sore knees and feet) that I worked through. Pretty much after the first year I didn't have knee issues anymore. Good shoes are really important.
Mentally, I do get a boost and energized from running and actually now feel kind of bad if I skip a run. But I always feel better after a run. When I go on vacation or work trips I pack running gear and scope out potential running routes. I've made new friends that I've met through running groups which is nice.
Overall though, it hasn't really changed my life, except that it gives me something else to do with my free time.
Start slow and easy and build your way up. I think a lot of people "hate" running because they start too hard/fast and beyond what they can handle, and it is miserable. Give it a couple months and if you are not enjoying it do something else for your exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 45 and have been running regularly since I was 18 or so. It is something I have to do, not something I force myself to do. I look forward to it. It sort of feels like the glue that holds a lot of other things about me together. Mental health, weight control, even a social outlet, as I often meet up with a friend to run. It has been the one consistent thing that I do solely for myself, so I try to relish every minute of it. (Even in this heat.) And there are so many life lessons that can be practiced and reinforced through running: learning how to persist through discomfort, how to moderate your pace/effort depending on conditions beyond your control, how to accept your own limitations, to name just a few.

NP but same. It reminds me that I can do hard things, that consistently showing up every day is what matters and pays off even if some days are not my 'best' effort, it has brought me some of my dearest friends, and reminds me that the most important race is with yourself and trying to get better (not comparing to other people).

And, although shallow, I like that it keeps me slender and toned while allowing me to eat quite a bit.

In my 30s, run about 30-40 miles per week when not training for a marathon.

[Anonymous]

45 and run 3 miles (avg HR 150) 3x a week. Love the feeling of sweating, fresh air, etc... However, lately everything from the waist down is achy the next day. How can it be sustainable? I don't know. I've been doing strength programs on peloton and feel better/stronger less achy the day after.

[Anonymous]

Giving me a hip injury that requires surgery. Lol

But on the bright side, I wouldn't be getting the surgery if running wasn't absolutely worth doing. I could just quit running forever and have near zero pain.

[Anonymous]

For those of you asking about pain, I would recommend incorporating yoga a couple of times a week. It helps a lot! Also, make sure you're eating plenty, maybe taking a collagen supplment, and taking rest days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those of you asking about pain, I would recommend incorporating yoga a couple of times a week. It helps a lot! Also, make sure you're eating plenty, maybe taking a collagen supplment, and taking rest days.

Great suggestion. I personally can’t seem to fit in both running and regular yoga these days, but when I have in the past, it really did improve my runs. Not just the stretching aspect, but core strength helps everything. Also, yes to rest days. Don’t run every day.

[Anonymous]

I'm 53. I've been running since I was 25. I love running. It has been my life's joy. Unfortunately, I just can't run as much as I used to. I hate that my marathon days are over. I was never injured and then when I turned 50, little issues started creeping up. I have pain behind one of my knees that prevents me from running more than about 7 miles. About to get an MRI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It game me solid confidence and a feeling of accomplishment. I was the fat kid who could never run the mile when we had to do it in school, and was always the last 1-2 kids every single time.

As an adult, I couldn't run around a block, and was still obese. But in my 30s I slowly got in shape, took up running (shoutout to couch to 5k!), and then was able to run my first continuous mile without stopping. Then 2. Then a 5k. Then 10k. then 10 miles without stopping even for a sip of water or to check my phone. The confidence that it gave me was incredible, and running (and exercise) became a form of therapy. I lost a ton of weight, and have maintained it many years later.

I mean really, I truly couldn't run a single minute in the beginning. I was as red as brick after 30 seconds. Then I was running TEN miles without a single break? If I can do it, anyone can.

These days I just don't have the stamina to do the same non-stop mileage (I crosstrain and do other things), and a 5k may be my long run, but I still run 3-4 days a week doing a couple miles. I do it, because I love knowing that I can run faster and longer than I was when I was 1/4 of the age I am now. I chase my former fat kid at the end of the mile. I'm extremely proud of how far I've come, and the sense of accomplishment I gained from doing something I could never, ever imagine doing.

AWESOME. Way to go!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It game me solid confidence and a feeling of accomplishment. I was the fat kid who could never run the mile when we had to do it in school, and was always the last 1-2 kids every single time.

As an adult, I couldn't run around a block, and was still obese. But in my 30s I slowly got in shape, took up running (shoutout to couch to 5k!), and then was able to run my first continuous mile without stopping. Then 2. Then a 5k. Then 10k. then 10 miles without stopping even for a sip of water or to check my phone. The confidence that it gave me was incredible, and running (and exercise) became a form of therapy. I lost a ton of weight, and have maintained it many years later.

I mean really, I truly couldn't run a single minute in the beginning. I was as red as brick after 30 seconds. Then I was running TEN miles without a single break? If I can do it, anyone can.

These days I just don't have the stamina to do the same non-stop mileage (I crosstrain and do other things), and a 5k may be my long run, but I still run 3-4 days a week doing a couple miles. I do it, because I love knowing that I can run faster and longer than I was when I was 1/4 of the age I am now. I chase my former fat kid at the end of the mile. I'm extremely proud of how far I've come, and the sense of accomplishment I gained from doing something I could never, ever imagine doing.

AWESOME. Way to go!

+1000 As someone starting couch to 5k just now, and struggling with some discomfort, this makes me very happy to hear!

[Anonymous]

Mid-50s checking in, on- and off-again runner since my teens.

The one thing I have had to change in the past few years is to add in a warmup beforehand and stretching afterward. (Nothing crazy - Peloton has lots of great 5 min pre-run warmups and 5/10-min post-run stretches.) Never used to have to stretch, but now I do and it's made a huge difference. (BTW, in case anyone struggles with plantar fasciitis like I have in the past: weirdly, mine resolved 100% after I went gluten free for other reasons. Unexpected but nice benefit.)

Adding a weekly yoga class and some core work (again, nothing crazy - like, 5 min of abs) is also advisable if you can fit it in.

[Anonymous]

Running keeps me sane, and possibly alive. No joke. I have no idea how I'd get through all the friendship drama, relationship drama, work drama, family drama, etc. without it. I don't even go for speed any more just that high. If I can get 10 minutes in, I'm good. I run all throughout the day just to help me deal with things. And one benefit of the dopamine of finishing a short run, I have energy to go back to work and deal with the meetings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For those of you asking about pain, I would recommend incorporating yoga a couple of times a week. It helps a lot! Also, make sure you're eating plenty, maybe taking a collagen supplment, and taking rest days.

Great suggestion. I personally can’t seem to fit in both running and regular yoga these days, but when I have in the past, it really did improve my runs. Not just the stretching aspect, but core strength helps everything. Also, yes to rest days. Don’t run every day.

Fitting it in is really hard. I aim for four runs per week and one yoga class. If I can't get to a class, I've done a lot of youtube yoga. I just search for 20- or 30-minute yoga for runners. Should probably do one of these plus a class!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 45 (m) and have been running for different portions of my life. I took some time off and then got back into running with a vengeance right before the pandemic, to the tune of running 15-20 miles at a time. It was hell to get to that kind of mileage without my body being racked with pain. But once I got there, it was (and is) awesome!

Here is the good (for me):
- Confidence boost
- Burns a ton of calories
- Helped me reduce my fat around my waist
- Endorphins after running keep me in a good mood ALL DAY LONG
- It clears my head. I can wrestle through problem as I run
- Joined a running group and made new friends
- I don't get tired easily when doing other sports

Here is the bad (for me):
- I've sustained some injuries (pulled muscles mainly) from running when tired - don't run if you are exhausted
- Sunburn
- I overeat after a long run because hey, why not
- Shoes (good running shoes) are expensive ($200+ per pair)
- I spend too much time massaging my muscles (foam roller, massage gun, etc) and watching Netflix (not sure if this is an excuse to watch more Netflix)

For those that are having knee pain, that isn't a function or running in my experience. That's a function of tight muscles - probably hamstrings. Same with the lower back. It will probably take some dedicated stretching over a couple months to loosen that up properly after years of your muscles being tight and pulling against the muscles or tendons that cover your knee. Just a thought from a person who is not a doctor or a physical therapist so take it with a grain of salt.

What? Good shoes are not $200+. The only over $200 shoes are race day only super shoes that 99% don't need and no one should be training in.