Why I Run Everyday

Do you like to run? I have discovered casual running which means I run from point A to B at a chillaxed pace. To work each day. Disclaimer alert; I I am not someone that geeks up and nerds out on putting on my running gear….lacing up the Hokas, sliding on the Lululemon running tights, and throwing on the Columbia wind jacket to go out for my 10k run that I will post on the gram. I don’t post my Strava graphic with my distances and times for the world to see. Not that there is anything wrong with that Strava people – you’re good people, Strava people!

For me, I live the perfect distance away from where I work as a full time Physical Therapist in a busy acute care hospital. Every day, I walk, jog, and run at various speeds while toting a knapsack that weighs about 10-15 pounds on my back. I pack a big lunch, alright? Don’t judge me please, this is a Planet Fitness writing zone!

Sure I could take the bus seeing that I live right on a bus line that would drop me off 5 minutes from work but that would be too easy, too comfy, and how would THAT benefit me? If I ever wanted to be a Navy SEAL, what would they possibly think about this soft life I live? And besides, I didn’t renew my monthly bus pass at the start of the new year which means I will save over $50 a month…and up to $600 a year! Don’t mean to brag but didn’t use a calculator for that calculation…which reminds me of a joke. There are 3 kinds of people in this world, those that are good at math and those that aren’t. Gratuitous….guilty as charged.

So as I leave my house at 705 AM each morning, give or take 120 seconds, I put my ear buds in, put my toque on, (it gets pretty cold in Canada, eh?), tighten my knapsack straps, and start my daily commute to work…on foot. Sometimes I am wearing rubber boots, sometimes my well worn Rockport boots (amazing…on my second pair), and sometimes actual running shoes. Sometimes I run in jeans,,,sometimes I run in my hospital scrub pants,,, Sometimes I will have Metallica blaring into my ear canals, while other days I may be listening to a self help guru giving me advice on how to overcome social anxiety.

The point is, it doesn’t really matter what I listen to, or what I’m wearing. The point is, I’m doing something for myself that is healthy…it has physical, mental, and emotional benefits that help me clear my mind and help me prepare for a day of work that can be quite stressful at times. Plus, it helps me achieve my weekly goal of 50,000 to 60,000 steps as well. I move along at my own pace….sometimes walking briskly, sometimes breaking into a jog until I come to the next mailbox or that navy blue RAV 4 parked at the curb, it’s arbitrary. And it works for me.

When I arrive at work 22-25 minutes later, I already feel mentally stronger and sharper. My synapses are firing as I tell a joke or two….I have a clearer idea about planning my day and prioritizing, and feel that I am able to better handle any unexpected twists and turns that are inevitable when you work in healthcare.

I am grateful that I am still able to move the way I do as I approach 60 years old and for the fact that I do not sweat profusely. I do not take my health for granted; I need to continue to take care of myself so I can take care of others and jogging to work is one way to ensure that I can do this for as long as possible. Unless I win the lottery.

I urge you too to dabble with a routine that you can also follow consistently….perhaps around your work schedule too. It could be a real game changer!

Well, time for me to go…off to bed now to put the cucumbers on my eyes,,,,but if you see me out there in the mornings, doing my thing, give me a friendly honk and I will wave back….unless I don’t hear you because Enter Sandman is playing.

Until next time….thanks for reading!