How to Start Running – Guest Blogger Ciana: 11 Reasons Why

Welcome to part six of How to Start Running! In this edition, we have a list (mmmm, lists!) from the sassy and whip-smart Ciana about why she runs, and why you should too. I met Ciana years ago, and our friendship grew from that of being involved with mutual friends to having our own set of shared interests, dreams and desires (did someone say, “we totally want to be in O Magazine?” Someone did). C, as I affectionately refer to her, is a budding copywriter and branding connoisseur who pens Le Chat Curieux and creates Strawberry Field over at tumblr.  When she’s not running, you can find her dancing. Enjoy: 

11 Reasons Why I Started Running (And Why You Should, Too)

(Why eleven reasons? Because the two ones look like legs, and you need those to run. And because sometimes, that’s how long it takes me to run a mile…)

1. Have you ever listened to “Groove Is in the Heart” five times in a row? What would otherwise be pathological is completely justified while running.
2. Do you love to wear comfy yet slightly tarty clothes as much as I do? People won’t judge you quite so much if your skintight pink hotpants are intended for a jog, and not a night out.
3. Double your clubbing wardrobe by buying sexy running wear! (See above; launder items before spending time in close quarters.)
4. Note: I never go clubbing, but if I did, I’m sure everyone would appreciate the fact that I exercised once in awhile, especially if I was wearing those skintight hotpants.
5. There is always a grandma trotting along the path to make you feel like an absolute speed demon by comparison, no matter how many times you pause to reapply your tinted lip balm. (The grandmas always pretend not to notice that you’re actually catching your breath–it’s great!)
6. I am now able to walk up hills carrying multiple heavy of beverages (read: bottles of wine) and not feel like I’m going to pass out.
7. Fake (or real) running injuries serve as perfect excuses to get out of doing things you hate. (Accessory shopping for your cousin’s wedding? Sorry, the only proven remedy for pulled muscles is hours of watching “Arrested Development.”)
8. Running a 5k is the only proven antidote to eggs florentine consumed in haste. Just give it a few hours before you try to undo the damage.
9. Challenging physical activity teaches you to pay attention to yourself for once! Stop thinking about your lousy dependents and start planning new cocktails to try. Or just focus on not keeling over during your jog.
10. There is no better way to feel like Artemis, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, or your basic Xena the Warrior Princess, trouncing through the woods with killer instinct and shockingly shiny hair. Try a little visualization next time you run—it helps, and makes you feel awesome instead of sweaty.
11. (Runner legs!) I like to feel good naturally, which is to say, benefit from those doctor-approved glasses of wine at night that we’ve all heard so much about. Because I don’t live in a “Mad Men” world, there’s no better way to feel really, really good than challenging myself to do something hard, and actually earning the resulting relaxation and peacefulness.

Advertisements