5 ways running makes your life better

Taking up running for the first time as an adult usually comes from an initial goal like weight loss, improving health or finally completing that dream marathon. New runners often find that once you meet your first goal, there are so many more to set and achieve; before you know it, running has become a bigger part of your life than you imagined it would.

If running is a new hobby for you, know that by committing to a routine, you will soon see benefits pop up in your day-to-day life in areas you weren’t expecting. Here are five ways in which running translates nicely to other areas of life.

Time management

When you’re committed to your running but your days are full, you recognize the power of half an hour. You understand that the “too busy” excuse is just fluff, because you’ve been raising your fitness in small blocks of spare time here and there. Suddenly, you recognize that one hour of the day can be used for small career gains, extra de-cluttering or a solid catch-up with an old friend.

Work

You committed to a local 5K and successfully completed it. Months later, you ran your first 10K. Last year, you knocked your PB down significantly. Suddenly, that intimidating project seems more doable. (It also helps that those morning runs have you more perky and alert by the time 9 a.m. rolls around.)

Relationships

You understand what it means to show up for that scheduled run with your training partner. You also know how they feel if you suddenly ghost them on the planned workout or cancel your plans to cheer them on at their upcoming race. Sportsmanship–or lack thereof–is the magnified version of everyday life relationships.

Goal-setting

Once you set (and achieve) an initial goal you never thought possible, you realize what’s possible. For many runners it’s the first time they’ve felt truly challenged. What often follows is that eureka moment when you realize it’s time to do the same in a non-running-related area of life, such as finances, career or travel.