Ten years ago this month I ran (well, more like walked, gasped, crawled) my first mile.  You can go here if you’d like to read about that first run.  But for now, I’d love to share with you how running has completely changed my life over the last 10 years.  I hope you’ll find some reasons to start (or continue) your own running and healthy living journey.

1. Running has improved my overall fitness.

This is probably the most obvious benefit of running, and I could probably write at least 100 posts about how running has improved my health. There are countless studies showing the health benefits of regular exercise including decreased chances of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.  One of these days I’ll do a post that includes some of that research, but for now take some time to look into it for yourself.

2. Running has cured my knee problems.

Yes, you read that right. I used to have knee pain and stiffness from a fall on an icy sidewalk when I was in high school.  Since I’ve started running my knees are stronger, and I rarely have pain anymore. There are plenty of studies that show running can be beneficial to your joints.

3. I can still fit in my wedding dress.

After 21 years and 8 kids, I tried my wedding dress on last week….and it actually fit! I didn’t even have to suck in to get it zipped.  I’d rather not comment on the poofy sleeves and ugly bow in the back.  What kind of fashion sense did we have back then anyway?

4. Running has helped me inspire others.

A few years ago I had a friend who was in a failing marriage and struggled with confidence. She heard me talk about running and decided if I could do it she could too.  I will never forget the look on her face as she crossed the finish line of her first 10 miler. She had a whole new confidence and positive outlook on her situation.  It’s also helped me inspire my kids.  A few years ago our son was WAY too into video games and junk food.  Now he’s 14 and runs several times a week.  And he almost never eats junk food anymore.  Our two oldest boys will be running their first marathon next month.  I love seeing them develop a love for a sport they can continue for a life time.

Here’s a picture from my very first 10 miler 10 years ago. Those two little boys are now taller than me and have gown up to love running.

5. Running helps me unwind and de-stress.

Any of my kids will tell you that I’m a WAY better mom when I run consistently. Running gives me time to think and pray.  It helps me relax and sort through all the craziness of our daily lives.  Sometimes when we’re having a rough day my kids will say to me, “Mom, why don’t you go for a run.  You need it.”

6. Running has made pregnancy and childbirth so much easier.

Our first four kids were born back when I thought I was allergic to exercise. I always lost all the weight after each baby, but I wasn’t healthy.  I ran all the way to the end of my pregnancies with our last four babies, and the difference was amazing.  My pregnancies were more comfortable, deliveries faster, and postpartum recovery/weight loss smoother.  (Please note, I had the full support of my midwives to run through pregnancy.  Running during pregnancy is contraindicated in some cases, so if you’re expecting a little one check with your health care provider before beginning or continuing any workout routine).

Here’s the shirt my kids helped design that I wore in a marathon when I was 26 weeks pregnant. The front said, “Yes, my midwife said it’s okay to run. Try to keep up.” It generated some fun conversations during the race!

7. My husband and I get to have a ‘date’ several times a week.

In a society where we’re often controlled by our schedules, kids’ activities, work responsibilities, and any number of other things, running gives my husband and me a chance to connect. When we run together we talk about our frustrations, work situations, issues with our kids, homeschooling, and any number of other things that come up.  Having a regular training plan and schedule forces us to spend time together in a world where so many things pull couples apart.  Our marriage is stronger for it.

8. Running boosts my confidence.

Homeschooling 8 kids day in and day out is tough stuff. There’s never a day off, and it’s often a 24/7 job.  Snot, poop, slobber, misspelled spelling words, oatmeal on the windows, applesauce on the ceiling (yes, that really happened), marker on the walls….mommyhood is not for the faint of heart, and the mundane responsibilities can start to weigh me down sometimes.  Sometimes I long for the days I was a professional and people told me I was doing a great job….and I actually got a pay check.  When was the last time your toddler thanked you for cutting his sandwich exactly how he likes it, or your preschooler thanked you for giving him a time out, or your grade school child told you how much she appreciated you explaining long division for the umpteenth time?  I didn’t think so.  But running gives me confidence when the day to day grind brings me down.

9. I get to meet some really amazing people.

Runners are incredible people. Just last week a runner friend of ours saw us struggling to finish our 20 mile run.  He stopped to get us some Gatorade and then ran toward the direction he’d seen us to bring us some relief.  Then he finished the last mile with us.  This was all AFTER he’d run his own 18 miler that morning.  Runners are some of the most supportive and encouraging people I’ve ever met.  I’ve watched runners give up PRs (Personal Records) to stop and help an injured runner or stand for hours at the finish line cheering on slower runners as they cross.

10. Every time I lace up I’m doing what I once thought was impossible.

Ten years ago this month I couldn’t run a mile. Not. One. Single. Solitary. Mile.  The thought of running 10 miles was crazy.  Running a full marathon was completely impossible.  Impossible.  But I did it.  It took every single ounce of grit and determination I could muster, but I did it.  And I continue to do the impossible every time I lace up my shoes and go out for a run.

How about you?  How has running changed your life?  Or maybe the better question is, how are you going to let running change your life?

Recovery jacket from the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon. Running that race was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. It was impossible….until I did it.