I’ve never wanted to run. In fact, I used to laugh at people who would tell me about their running adventures.
Maybe it’s because I’ve never been able to run more than a mile. (Of course, I’ve never really cared to run more than a mile.)
Then it happened…
I woke up early one Sunday morning with this thought – I’m going to run today.
So I ran 3 miles. I did it again the next day. And the next. Five days that week I ran more than 3 miles.
The truth is, working out was a part of my new and improved life plan – for 2 reasons. I needed to improve my health and I needed to find a recreational hobby to get my mind off of work. My hope was that running would serve both purposes. So I was already working hard to figure out how to fit running into my schedule.
But the real motivation to actually do it came only after I realized that working out meant I would be able to enjoy a longer life with my wife and children and my life could positively impact more leaders.
Now, I run at least 3 days a week.
From my experience, I can tell you that the rewards of running will far exceed your initial expectations. Over the past year, I’ve noted 4 benefits of running:
1. Focus on growth
Though I can’t get a doctor to diagnose it, I suffer from chronic ADHD. So at any given moment, I’m multitasking.
When I run, I load up my iPhone with leadership material and music. I’ve also dictated numerous blog posts while running. And I occasionally use the time to pray.
Running has given me time to focus on positive disciplines. And since I run in the morning, it helps me start the day off right. With a little planning you can identify plenty of productive things to do while you are working out.
2. Improved relationships
Working out has dramatically improved my relationships – at home, at work, in the community. My mind is sharper and I’m more relaxed following my workout. So my reaction time is increased because I’m able to think before I speak. And since I’m less reactionary, I’m perceived as more thoughtful and caring.
3. Significant weight loss
I’ve previously written about Why I changed my diet and how I lost 30 pounds so I won’t repeat it here. But this was the one outcome of my workouts that was most visible to others. It’s the area about which I received the most questions and comments.
Several colleagues commented that I look healthier and more alert which instills confidence and increases my ability to influence them.
4. Energy and motivation
Nailing this one discipline – the workout – has given me energy and motivation to intentionally improve other areas of my life that are important to me. Some of these challenging areas had seemed impossible in the past.
Making significant progress provided renewed determination and courage to move forward in areas in which I previously struggled to gain traction.
Question: Why do you work out? How have you benefited from it? Take a few moments to share in the comments.
Great stuff Michael. I’ve found that daily exercise significantly reduces stress and helps me to keep everything in perspective. In addition, it helps me to sleep better.
Same here!
Welcome to the runner’s world! It is a beautiful place to be. It takes effort, time, and energy…but it worth it in the rewards it brings. Run on!
Thanks for connecting Jennifer! Enjoy your week!
Great article! I run because I really do enjoy it. It’s the best way for me to get my cardio in. Plus it builds discipline, keeps my weight in check, is good for my heart and lungs. Got to work on those 10 minute miles just like you lol! Thanks for sharing.
Yep – I’m no speed demon. 😉 Thanks for connecting, Sherma. Enjoy your week.
Great list Michael. #1 is something that I’ve used running for a lot. I load my iPod with tons of Podcasts, sermons, you name it. It’s mobile classroom and since my blood is pumping and I’m moving, those messages seem to stick with a little more. I’m focused!
My wife and I are doing it together now. We’re doing our first 1/2 marathon Lord Willing in three months. So the benefits are far reaching.
Very cool – Good luck on the half-marathon!
Michael, I think you can apply this to other forms of regular exercise. I enjoy walking to and from work most days. I’m not a big runner but I do enjoy body weight exercises and walking. It’s weird how expending that energy results in more energy but it’s true, I’ve experienced it myself too!
Yep – funny how expending energy results in more energy! Thanks for connecting!
It is remarkable the clarity that I have gained since I began running. It becomes a little addictive- how good you feel after running in comparison to how you feel when you’ve done no physical activity all day. Running is sometimes the cure for writer’s block for me, and it’s always a quick way to get some more energy. This post is right on point! Three cheers for running (:
I agree Katie! Thanks for connecting!
I find it also makes me far less intense about my work and gives me a better balance. It forces me to have a thinking time when I am not just responding to events and fire-fighting.
Good thoughts Mark. Thinking (or processing) time is critically important. Thanks my friend.
Sad to say, but I haven’t worked out on a regular basis since about 2003. At the time, I had a workout partner which, as we all know, helps keep up the commitment.
When we first started training, I couldn’t do more than 15 minutes on the elliptical without getting winded. But it didn’t take much time to get up to 45 minutes.
After a few months after that, I took the family to an amusement park, which happened to have a lot of hills. My youngest son was just starting to walk, but wanted to be carried most of the time. As I carried him up and down the hills throughout the day, I could feel the strength in my legs and in my lungs. I wasn’t out of breath! It felt great.
Today, I’m facing some cholesterol issues that’s causing me to consider a regular workout routine. Everything you mentioned here applies to all types of exercise. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for sharing your story John. Love hearing about your progress. Let me know how I can serve you.
I work out for the enjoyment of it, for the health benefits, and to become more disciplined.
My outlook on running was similar to yours until a year or so ago. Then I started to run and haven’t stopped yet. In fact, just finished my first 25K Saturday!
Awesome Joe – I haven’t worked up enough nerve to train for a race. My 10 minute miles aren’t very competitive. 😉
Haha, the 25k wasn’t competitive for me. It was just for fun. And your 10 minute miles would’ve beat mine by the end of the run.
Thanks! It was tough but well worth it.
Thanks for the information David. The most critical element for me was WHEN – you have to find the time that works best for you and make it fun – something you look forward to.
I don’t know how serious you were being about the ADHD, but I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and just over the past year or so I’ve come to really accept that I have ADHD. Understanding it has really helped me understand myself and why I hit so many walls in my life. Feel free to contact me if you would like to to talk about it further…. With that said, I have to say that aerobic exercise has been a critical part of my recovery and effectively managing some of the aspects of ADHD. I can think much clearer and stay much more focused when I exercise in the morning. I’ve been using a recumbent stationary bike lately. Thanks for the post and the reminders!
Thank you Paul. This is helpful. In the past I joked about having ADHD quite a bit (still laugh at myself some) – but I’ve found that working out has significantly improved my focus, and energy.