How I Started Running Again

Throughout my adult life, I have always been an exerciser, sometimes more consistently than others. My husband refers to me as a serial exercise fanatic because I have sequentially pursued virtually every kind of exercise you can imagine over the years, with frequency and intensity, before moving on to a new pursuit.I’ve done on-the-water rowing, boxing, yoga, Pilates, barre, boot camps, to mention just a few, and most recently, indoor cycling classes. In my twenties and early thirties, the thing I really loved was running, and anyone who knew me could tell you that, I did it so often. My then-future husband and I even went running together on the first day we met.I always had an upcoming race on the calendar and even did a couple of marathons. After the birth of each of my children, I scheduled a half marathon soon after to force me to get me back into running. This led to a few injuries and my running has been derailed ever since. Sure, I have gone running since then but nothing consistent and never for a very long distance.At the risk of over-sharing, I’ll tell you that during the last few months my anxiety has increased, which has made my chronic insomnia increase, and I have been trying to figure out ways to manage it.My husband looked at me one day this summer and said: “Elizabeth you simply have to start running again; we have been together for 20 years and running is the thing that makes you a happier person.” It is true. Running really is like therapy for me. It keeps me centered.So how do I get back at it? I should also insert here that oddly, perhaps, I like running on a treadmill. I know -- most people hate it but I love it. The monotony does not phase me. I also like that I have a treadmill in my basement and can do it while my kids are doing their homework or are asleep. I will hit the great outdoors soon, but before then I have to really build up my running confidence on a treadmill.I happened upon the greatest app that has helped me tackle this challenge and I wanted to share it with everyone. It is called Aaptiv and it has helped me conquer my running trepidation. So here is why it is so great. You put in your ear buds, pick a level, music genre, and time, and get moving and motivated.It provides different workouts for every level of runner. If you are just getting into it, it has walking workouts and then you can work your way up into a walking and jogging workout. I can be a lazy runner and will just crank it out a few miles at a 6.0 or 6.5 and not mess with the speed or the incline. But this app makes me do more. It also reminds me to keep my form, and for some reason, some stranger talking into my ear makes me work harder.It isn’t just a running app; it has boot camps and biking workouts, but I haven’t paid any attention to them. I have only used it for running on a treadmill, but it does have outside workouts.So if you are like me, and have been wanting to either restart your running or get into it for the first time, download this app!