Running Towards Fitness

My friend Shelby Manoukian is a runner. In helping me spread the word about this year’s Girls on the Run Sonoma County 5 K Run/Walk that’s taking place 9 a.m. May 12 in Rohnert Park, she told me why she runs.

I am sharing it here because it captures the joy of running in a way that most people can relate to:

I usually run about four or five miles every morning around 8am.  My route starts on Healdsburg Avenue, and ends on Healdsburg Avenue, resulting in basically running through the very heart of the town.  During this run each morning, I like to play this game with myself: how many people that I know will I see on this run?  If you’ve ever spent some time in Healdsburg then you probably would not be surprised to hear that half the town sees my sweaty forehead and bobbing ponytail before they’ve even had their morning coffee.

One morning, I was running past a couple of City of Healdsburg electricians, one of which was a regular customer at my work.  He called out to me, “What are you always running from?!”  I yanked my head phones out of my ears, and called back, “Everything!!”

Even though in context my response was more of loose humor, I began to think of the metaphorical aspect as well.  What exactly was I running from?

I started running in high school, to tone up before the junior prom, and that’s when I fell in love.  There was something about the heat building up in my calves that reminded me how strong I was and the wind flipping my hair reminding me that I was free in mind, body, and spirit.  And the feeling of accomplishment at the end, knowing that although the run wasn’t easy, I did it anyways, and could do it again.    

I couldn’t stop.

As time went on, I ran after break ups, bad days, bombing tests, fighting with friends, deaths in the family, car problems, exhaustion, homework overload, stress at work, and all the other parts of life that are sticky and inevitable. 

Each time as my calves started to burn, and my lungs felt like they were sinking to my ankles, I pressed on forward because I knew the end of the jog was just in the distance, and success was definitely reachable.

I am not gazelle-like by any means while running- in fact I plunk down the road at a nice 9 minute mile pace, occasionally stop to chat with a passerby, or wave frantically at a SUV load of my girlfriends.  It’s more of an outing for me than a chore.

But there is the health aspect.  It requires planning ahead.  For college students like me, it may mean cutting back on partying in order to squeeze in morning work outs.  It means eating healthier, replenishing nutrients and carbohydrates that get depleted during a work out.  Some runners may have to quit smoking or drinking, or change their daily routine in order to have time to run.  And just like anything else, change in the beginning isn’t exactly a cake walk…the good news is, you usually end up walking out with a prize. 

You begin to notice the hills getting smaller, and the muscles in your calf, quadriceps, and hamstrings become more firm and defined.  Your energy levels increase and your stress is reduced. Your self-esteem improves. And from that comes better lifestyle choices.

"Fitness is fun and its forever," said Shelby and that's the same message Girls on the Run Sonoma County imparts to the 3^rd-8^th girls they work with each year.  Their after school program fosters self-acceptance, respect and confidence in hundreds of girls at 22 Sonoma County schools. The bi-annual 5K Run/Walk is the commencement program, so to speak. It’s also a chance to let the larger community show its support by either running or walking with the girls or by being a sponsor or volunteer.

So lace up your shoes, get warmed up and join in this 'moving' celebration!