I was all set to write about epiphany’s when it came to E. I mean, it’s no secret that running clears the mind, open’s the gates, channels the thoughts so it should be of no surprise that most epiphany’s actually come from runners(views are my own by the way and not backed by beneficial research).
After a run, I have a whole queue of them lined up in my brain ready to be immortalised into a tweet, or sometimes, if I’m that overwhelmed, an Instagram picture.
My absolute favourite is, ‘Sheryl Crow had it right, if it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad!’ and I got that from a half marathon I was running and hating all in equal measures which made me think maybe I should write about events! After all, events are pretty significant to my running journey; if I hadn’t had an event planned the chances of me getting into the habit of running probably would have been incredibly slim. Events are important. Events fuel the fire of emotion needed to get back out there after Sheryl has told you it’s not that bad.
And that’s when it hit me. Emotion. Emotion would cover both epiphany’s and events and every other thing in between too!
I am proud to put my hands up and say that I am an emotional runner. I’m that bird you see weeping as I cross both the start and finish line at an event, and believe me, I just can’t help it! I’m not sure whether its the crowds, the fact Heather Small is always screaming about being proud across whatever crackly tannoy system running events hire, or the entire journey it’s taken for each and every person to get to that point, maybe it’s a bit of it all?
I once, was so emotional during a training run, whilst merely thinking about finishing the London marathon, I cried like a baby in the middle of Cyfartha Park. Right in amongst the ducks. There were actual tears and I think at one point I said thank you to a nonexistent cheering crowd which is both ridiculous and reasonably worrying.
It’s written about across the board how running helps with emotion but not so widely acknowledged how running can make you emotional. I remember my very first Race for Life in Bute Park back in the day. My goodness, the tears free fell for the first four K. I’ve never felt such emotion, especially in a park! The support, the messages written on peoples race numbers, the sheer determination and inspiration from women doing something for something. (I’m welling up recalling the memory!)
There’s that quote about walking a mile in someone’s shoes which is so appt when you think about peoples individual running journeys. The hours, the energy, the battles, the highs and the lows. I’m sure people see the Facebook pictures of people who complete races and think ‘Oh another run’ but what they don’t see is the blood, sweat and emotion that goes into getting to that point. The early hour wake up calls, the ‘oh my goodness that hurts’ runs, the ‘I do not want to go in this weather runs’ the physical and emotional investment one has to put into running before they get the bling. I really can’t understand why everyone doesn’t run!
There really is nothing quite like good, happy, I’ve done well tears are there and these come aplenty with running!
*if you ever happen to see a girl in overly zealous running tights, crying and thanking the fresh air in the Merthyr Tydfil area, pat her on the back and say well done!*