Lace 'Em Up
This week marks the first full month of the school year.
For some it might seem like the semester is already on a blazing fast pace with no slowing down. For others it might feel like Fall break can’t come fast enough. In either case there's no doubt that the first few weeks of classes can easily be loaded with a plethora of assignments and extra-curricular activities to fill up your daily schedule.
Couple this with the lack of sleep many college students probably suffer from, this can become overwhelming and stress-inducing if not handled properly. To best set yourself up for success and be a well rounded student in a community that offers so many opportunities, it’s good to find ways to slow down the hectic pace and find your own flow.
A great way to do that – contrary to what many might think – is to actually pick up the pace a bit and hit the open road for a run.
It’s well-known and proven that there are many physical and mental health benefits accurately attributed to running. But there are several other positives that tying up the laces can provide in
the life of a busy college student.
For one, running allows you to get to know your community better through traversing different routes while also taking in the beautiful scenery of the campus and surrounding city. In addition, it can also drastically improve your work ethic and disciplinary skills as you are committing to a relatively challenging activity.
Best of all, running is rather simple and inexpensive, and can be done anyway you see fit.
Running, like dancing, probably feels a little awkward to start. But once your heart rate settles and your mind is in it, there's no telling how long it'll be until you’ll want to stop. Confidence also goes a long way as well. And as a bonus, it's always better alongside others.
It’s certainly not easy to just dedicate yourself to routinely running even just a couple times a week. The mental fortitude it takes, even for a short shake out jog, can seem mountainous. The hardest part is often fostering the motivation to put on those running shoes one foot at a time, and step out the door.
But just as the more dance moves you add to your repertoire can make those dance circles less awkward, the more runs under your feet will build up the confidence to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Here at the Edge we have three simple tips for finding your flow as a runner:
Start the Day Off Strong
If you're honest with yourself, running in the middle of the day isn't very sustainable. November and December are still some weeks away, so the heat we're experiencing right now is probably not going to drop off much. On top of that, the daily requirements of a student at Elon takes up a good chunk of the afternoon and early evening. Running at night, even though an enjoyable experience from time to time, also brings its own troubles, such as potential personal safety issues and the risk of losing necessary time for sleep and recovery. The best way to be consistent about running is to implement a schedule that mostly involves morning runs. This puts the pressure off of taking time after class that can be used for studying or hanging out with friends. It’s also a great way to energize the start of your day and make you feel more accomplished before your classes.
Run With Others
Running by yourself builds discipline. Running with other people builds community. Here at Elon there are great ways to connect with other people who enjoy running. For example there is the ElonRuns club, and if you're even looking for more, the Club XC team. The beauty of both organizations is that they require as much commitment as you prefer to provide.
Spice It Up
Breaking out the same dance move can get really boring. Running the same exact route every time is even more boring. Running, especially for longer distances, is often more mental than physical. Changing up the direction and path you take on your run is a great way to keep your mind more mentally engaged in the run and less likely to focus on the discomfort your body may be experiencing.
Want to share your favorite go-to run route? Connect and let us know @theedgemag.