Lots of people consider running to be a pain; they say that it's a hard and boring thing that people only do to lose weight or keep in shape, but running is so much more! Running consistently gives a person a sense of accomplishment, of being closer to God, and nature. In my experiences, Cross-Country and Track seasons are the times where I both grow the most in my faith, and am more consistent in my faith.
Running also helps the physical side of your emotions and faith. Running allows your body to release endorphins, which are the hormones that "cause" or aid happiness and good attitudes during our lives. People who are more active tend to get depressed much less, are able to cope with bad circumstances, and don't get agitated by trivial pains during our normal days. Running obviously exercises our muscles, heart, lungs, and diaphragm which makes our bodies more efficient and usually more healthy.
There are lots of different ways to get the most joy out of a run. My first piece of advice is to RUN! There is nothing quite like the sense of euphoria runners get when we've finished a long and hard workout. Next, try to get outside as much as possible. Getting the fresh air, being a part of nature, and being alone with God on a run helps you to have a better attitude during AND after your run. Finally, don't focus on the run itself. When I go for a run, I will try to keep my mind occupied by listening to my iPod, looking at the things around me, or sometimes praying. When you think about how much it hurts, you will almost always end up walking, or quitting. By putting your mind elsewhere, you give yourself a chance to both enjoy your run, and to get more out of it. I always feel like I worked harder when I didn't even notice how fast I ran on a run, verses worrying about how tired I am at that time. Running is a gift from God that gives us both HEALTH and JOY, so lets use it to its fullest potential!
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