4. Gets you to explore a new world. I have mentioned this a few times in previous reasons on how running can transform your life, however, I wanted to emphasize this one more time.
Running has allowed me to explore many new worlds.
I remember running at 5 a.m. in the spring time in Hong Kong while it seemed thousands of Chinese were practicing their early morning tai chi all around me.
I remember running the streets of Venice in the early morning hours, admiring all the architecture while the street sweepers swept their store fronts before they opened up for their day.
I remember trekking through unknown streets of Sydney, Australia, and "accidentally" stumbling upon the Sydney Harbor in all its glory one early morning - nearly taking my breath away.
I remember having a run in with a bicyclist on the streets of Oxford, England.
We both were shaken up a bit, however, he did, admittedly, have the right of way.
I just wasn't used to having to share the sidewalk with anyone in that early, rain-filled morning.
I remember running the same stairs as Rocky Balboa after my Philadelphia Marathon.
I am not just meaning when I have traveled the world to experience a new world.
I remember when I was running my usual path in the Twin Cities along the mighty Mississippi and I decided to go "off-road" and entertain a new journey.
Little did I know that it would cause me to be creating my own rock-climbing wall experience down the way when I could find no other way to go other than into the river itself!
(This was in the middle of winter, so my rock climbing back up to the trail was more like mud climbing)
As Dr. Seuss said so graciously, "Oh the places you will go!"
I think he meant that for runners.
It is so true.
Think about where you want to go next.
I guarantee you, if you have a creative mind, you will go a lot farther than just your own backyard.
My time management skills were honed over time due to the fact that I wanted to get that daily run or exercise routine in AND create financial success in my business arena AND go to my church/volunteer groups AND have fun with friends/family (basically - have a life) AND travel the world (where I could run more too!). Let's face it, if you have competed in a marathon or an Ironman Triathlon event AND still have all the other revolving circles in your life going at a decent pace, you are required to know the meaning of time management. One gets to learn how to fit in that 5 mile run before work or over lunch hour or that bike ride or swim in between appointments.
Because of this, I am also very much an early to bed, early to rise person. I can always manage to "create" the time to be, do and have all the stuff I want to have. There are two 5 o'clocks in the day if one chooses to find that first one (oh so early and yet oh so still/calm/peaceful!). A lot can be accomplished before 7 or 8 a.m. I remember rising at 3:30 a.m. one morning while living in Phoenix, Arizona, to log a 20-miler before getting on a plane at 9 a.m. for a trip to Hong Kong. Now, how is that for creating a plan of action with seemingly limited time and space??
If it looks like there is not enough hours in the day - you still can always manage to create that extra little time slot. Being a runner expands your capacity to be, do and have an amazing life. What can you do today to expand yourself?
Think about this as you go for your next run. You were born to run. The cave men did it, Shakespeare did it ("Bid me run and I will strive with things impossible"), kids do it - all ran because it was part of their very BEING, part of who they were and what helped bring about their best in their lives.
Running not only allows you to be healthy and fit in mind and body, it also expands your Spirit of childlike innocence and play. Go for a run with a little one sometime and BE reminded of that very thing. Have fun. Life. Embrace your BEING you!
They would be right about that last bit. Veteran runner and author, Jim Fixx, died at the age of 52 of a massive heart attack, after his daily run. The autopsy revealed that atherosclerosis had blocked one coronary artery 95%, a second 85%, and a third 50%. Many who opposed his beliefs said this was proof running was harmful. However, Fixx came from a family where the men had poor health histories. His father suffered a heart attack at the age of 35 and died of one at 42. Given Fixx's unhealthy lifestyle until he took up running, many argued that running added many years to his life.
Alas, the overall key idea that this #1 transformational tip gives perfectly sums up everything I have been saying for this entire series of 10 tips. Not only does running add more physical longevity to your body being here longer than you might plan or expect. It adds more "life" to the years you have. More energy, more time and space created as a result of that energy to DO what you love and love what you DO. It allows you to BE who you were meant to BE when you are full of energy in enjoying that time and space freedom. It also allows you to HAVE all the things you want to have as a result of your joy-filled Spirit and energy filled body that goes after what it wants and accepts where it is at in that moment. Life lessons come through this running and expanded life expectancy. You learn about yourself through the good runs and the not so good runs. And after you get over yourself being injured, then you find peace within that period of time of being "down" and not being able to run. That acceptance brings with it a returned joy when you are able to run again. You don't (or at least rarely won't) every take running for granted again. And THAT, my friends, is what running, and ultimately, life, is all about. Enjoying the journey of your life through your running and all the seasons that come your way.
