The Therapist Who Runs

Over the last year, I have developed an interest in a hobby that I swore I would never take part in! Five minutes on the treadmill sounded treacherous, and I would come up with every excuse in the book to avoid giving it a try. In support of a loved one, I decided to begin training for a 5k cancer charity run. My goal was to be able to finish, regardless of the time. At first, I imagined how difficult it would be, how much I did not want to train, and how I was not capable of such a feat.

Fast forward nearly 10 months; I am less than a week away from my first half marathon race, and I am feeling reflective... (see what I did there? reflective path... okay I'll see myself out).

Here are the 5 things I have learned about the therapeutic act of running:

1) Distress tolerance. Any endurance sport is the very definition of distress/discomfort. Sustained mental and physical discomfort with what feels like no end in sight at times. How often in life do we feel that everything is piling on, and that there is no way out? Running teaches you to lean into the discomfort, without needing to escape it.

2) Mindfulness/ Breathwork. Without proper breath control, your heart rate spikes and you feel incapable of continuing. The act of slowing the heart rate through intentional deep breaths can be beneficial both during running, and during times of emotional overwhelm.

3) Reconnecting with the body. These legs are mine, these lungs are mine, this body is MINE. Connecting with each moving part creates a sense of belonging in my own skin, which can be reproduced in times of uncertainty.

4) Mastery. Setting out to do something, and completing it, no matter how big or small is a large proponent in mental healing. Saying "I can do hard things", and actually following through, increases self-confidence and decreases depressive symptoms.

5) Self- trust. I can trust that I will show up for myself even when things are hard. I don't need to rely on others to step in; I am capable and confident in my abilities.

Running is not therapy, but the act of running is therapeutic in nature.