Run!

Hello, my dear subscriber!

I talk about running in several of my other letters. I believe that was the best activity for me in the early days of sobriety.

The hardest part of going for a run is getting out of bed and putting on your running shoes. This hurdle is often more mental than physical.

So get your shoes on and let’s go for a run: 👟👟

^{Timer: 00:01}

I put on my headphones and play my favorite running mix, Melodic Drum and Bass. The intro rhythm gets me going—my head bounces, and my body gears up for action. (We’re not doing an audible book today.)

With the first step, momentum takes over, and we’re off and Running! 

As I reach the end of my block and turn the corner toward the park, I sync my pace with the beat in my head, feeling strong and capable. The crisp air tingles my nose as it flows in and out of my nostrils. To avoid hyperventilating, I carefully regulate my breathing, inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth.

My mom taught me this breathing technique, a rhythmic - 'sniff-sniff, then hoo-hoo.’ It becomes the heartbeat of my run, guiding each stride.

^{Timer: 00:58}

Within the first minute of my run, my leg muscles, especially in the calf area, begin to tighten. This sensation gradually ascends toward my torso, shoulders, and neck. Soon after, sweat emerges through my scalp, and a noticeable rise in body temperature follows. A chill races down my spine as sweat surfaces. All the while, I maintain my pace and rhythmic breathing—'sniff-sniff, hoo-hoo'—finding the experience entirely manageable.

^{Timer: 02:15}

The run becomes challenging; breathing intensifies, and sweat trickles down my forehead, igniting an itchiness. Annoyingly, it itches most where my hair is thinning, making me scratch with regret.  🥵  That’s when my thoughts turn against me:

• “I’m running out of breath”  

• “I’m getting a cramp in my side”

• “The sweat is dripping down my back.. ew.”

Then I start planning ways to get out of the discomfort by reasoning with myself to quit.

• “Maybe I can slow down”

• “Should I take a break?”

• “What if I walk from here?”

^{Timer: 02:41}

Suddenly, I realize I am still running, and the voices in my head have been drowning out the music playing through my headphones.

Redirecting my focus to my breathing I anchor myself in controlling my breathing. Eventually, my world narrows to nothing but the breath: 'sniff-sniff, hoo-hoo,' perfectly synchronized with each step.

I notice something new. As I breathe in and out, it feels like my lungs are burning, taking in all this fresh park air. Paying more attention to this feeling, the burn in my lungs starts to feel good. It seems to melt away my stress and worry, clearing it out with every breath. This thought gives me energy and a reason to breathe even deeper and run faster, helping me get rid of more negative feelings.

^{Timer: 02:57}

Right as I catch onto this burst of motivation, serendipity plays its hand—my Spotify shuffles to one of my favorite melodic drum and bass tracks.

🎹From silence, comes a mesmerizing build-up: a low, pulsating bass synth that sends vibrations through my core, a sweeping volume escalating like a storm building up inside of me, all set to a heart-racing 168 bpm. The synths weave together, climbing, escalating, until a sexy female voice—smooth, seductive—ushers in the climax right before the…

BOOM. And then the beat drops and almost melts my face off!

On that drop, I land my foot perfectly in time, pushing me to match the relentless pace of the beat. Launching each leg and hitting every beat.

Each step lands on the road at the same time as the drum hit, propelling me forward, a runner and dancer fused into one.

Feeling the wind, my hands glide over the air, and my head nods vigorously, driven by the rhythm and the energy of the song. At this point I’m running fast! 🙌 Think Rocky running scene.

I am in the zone - it’s an explosion of movement, music, and pure meditation.

^{Timer: 23:45}

I finish my run at my doorstep and rest to catch my breath, reflecting on the experience with gratitude, the feeling of accomplishment, and relief. Then the cherry on top - the endorphins kick in - now I’m flying!

And just like that, we ran three miles. I hope it was as good for you as it was for me.

I can finish any race when I’m in the zone. I guess it applies to every race in my life. All I need is good music, to focus on breathing, and to persevere through my internal negative self-talk.

But it all starts with getting your ass out of bed and putting on your running shoes.

Links to Stuff this week:

• That song I was listening to: Sub Focus - Off the Ground

• Link: My favorite Running Arm Strap for my phone

• Link: Bluetooth Headband for Sleeping and Running

• Want to run a 5K this spring?: 5k Runs Near Me | US Events Calendar 2024 - 2025 | Find A Race

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Keep thinking, my friends!

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