After six years of not being able to jog or run; I am"back on the road again!" Last year I had knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus, and had micro-fraction to repair damaged bone tissue. This past week I have been out running three times without pain or swelling and I cannot say how joyful it feels. While I was running today, these are the insights that came up.
When you really love, there is no replacement. You can find things which are close but not the same. I have tried cycling, rowing, and other forms of cardio-conditioning, but they never gave me the same rush as running.
To be honest when I started running many years ago I did it to escape from a poor relationship; I ran for many years to try to get out my anger, sadness, and fear. Today, I consciously realized all those years I was not processing out the emotions but driving them deep into my tissues; all the way into the bones and connective tissue. If I can share any advice it would the same as I have heard for years; "you cannot run away from your troubles!"
Exercise is important, find one or two types of exercise that you love to do. Do them often; if you love something why would you not do it? Exercise may be challenging but the benefits to your body, mind and spirit are unmatched. Exercise is not recreation, or work; it is conditioning, improving your capacity to move, endure, and accept more of life.
If you love exercise, or hate it, share your thoughts.