This is highly recommended, a series where I provide a compelling argument for why you should like something that I like.

Dear Reader,

I have body image issues. But not like, serious body image issues. Just the kind of issues where I’m constantly worried that I don’t look like the ideal male body or what peak performance looks like.

Following this revelation, it would probably be an appropriate time to dive into the litany of issues that ping-pong around in my brain, causing a rattle that usually prohibits anything productive from happening. But as I’ve previously detailed, therapy is not for me. Blogging is for me. But blogging doesn’t always do the best job of helping me diminish my reserves of anxious energy. Something else is better.

I highly recommend going on a run.

Why?

Feeling Physically Fit

Just to be clear, this is not the same as being physically fit. You can feel one way and look another. And if you really think about it, feeling good is looking good. But as evident by the minuscule amount of thought I put into my blog, it’s clear that I never really think about it. Regardless, I ran three miles this morning and I feel much better than if I hadn’t.

Using My Technical Running Shoes For What They’re Supposed To Be Used For

I will never, ever feel any shame about owning multiple pairs of $150 technical running shoes. I will sometimes feel a little ashamed when I wear them while walking to my favorite diner to get a stack of pancakes as tall as the Empire State Building at 3PM on a Sunday afternoon. I’m no footwear designer, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what Nike had in mind when they made the Epic React Flyknit. Logging a solid 5 miles at my not so brisk 9:15 pace? That’s probably closer.

Listening To Podcasts

I’ll admit – I subscribe to more podcasts than I should. But I love each and every single one! The daily ones. The weekly ones. The ones that are way, way too long. I can’t not listen to them. And running gives me quite a bit of uninterrupted listening time. (I know that some people don’t understand how I could possibly listen to podcasts while running. But those people just don’t have the same level of intrinsic physical drive that I have. I don’t need music to get pumped up! I need two friends that I don’t know having a conversation about something inconsequential for well over two hours to get me pumped up!)

Zoning Out

I know that a lot of great things have been accomplished by “thinking”. I’ll even acknowledge that I enjoy “thinking” from time to time. You could also argue that part of what I get paid to do is to “think”. But there is absolutely nothing better than not thinking. Zoning out. Leaving our reality and entering a world where nothing is happening for an extended period of time. Not every run puts me in this state of blissful ignorance. But it’s happened before. And the chance that it will happen again is enough for me to keep moving slightly faster than walking through Prospect Park on a busy Saturday morning.

Free

Going outside is a very profitable exercise – it doesn’t cost anything and you get a lot in return. If I’m looking for something to do without draining my bank account, I’ll just leave my apartment and see what’s going on. Sometimes that involves a run. And while, yes, it’s true that I’ve spent quite a bit of money on things that make my running experience more pleasurable (aforementioned shoes, Apple AirPods, Equinox membership, Lululemon athletic apparel, etc.), I don’t technically spend any money while on a run. (Unless my phone accidentally orders something on its own while wedged in my workout armband.) (It’s happened before!) (I ordered food!)

There’s got to be one thing you don’t like about going on a run.

It’s Not Sitting On The Couch

Although I’ve tried, it’s impossible to do both at the same time. Sure, I can do similar things like zone out or listen to podcasts, but going on a run contributes absolutely NOTHING towards my need for general physical inactivity. (If you’re asking yourself if this language sounds similar to something you’ve read before, that’s because it is. This blog post’s companion blog post ended in a similar way. If you’re not aware by now, I’m not above plagiarizing myself.)

Have you ever tried dealing with a problem, only to discover that the way you’ve tried dealing with the problem causes more problems? Like when you start running to deal with your body image issues and find out that your incredibly weak joints can’t handle all of that pavement pounding? That happened to a friend of mind. Apparently he had to completely readjust his running style in order to run more than 30 feet without collapsing in pain. Poor guy.

I’ve never had anything like that happen to me. In general, my life is going pretty well. That’s why I have the free time and energy to write a blog about how well my life is going. If my life wasn’t going well, I wouldn’t be writing a blog. (Exactly.)

love,

nicholas