A Story - The Healing Power of Running

Past participants in the NCRC Women's Beginner Running Program were asked to submit their "story" for the blog.  This is the first story we received.  We hope this will serve as inspiration to women that want to start running.  Enjoy.  

The Healing Power of Running - Roni Salop

There are many ways people work through grief when the unthinkable happens. Some become self-destructive. Some find faith. Some lose their faith. Some turn to families and friends for support, most do a combination of many things. A lucky few discover the healing power of running.

Over three years ago, a close friend was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer. Her name was Darcy. She was 44 years old. But this isn't a story about Darcy. Darcy deserves a story greater than I could write. Suffice it to say, she was wonderful, I loved her, she left us too soon and I miss her every day.

This is the story of my discovering the power of running. For people who have been running a long time, this may be old news, but for a newbie like me, it was a journey that brought with it some surprising revelations about running and about myself.

Although Darcy's diagnosis was dire, I could not imagine we'd lose her. As I stumbled through the sadness of her illness, I was forced to look at myself and confront the reality of how precarious one's health is and how short life may be. As she went through the ups and downs of treatment, I committed to making better choices for myself. I had smoked since I was a teenager and had attempted quitting several times. My boyfriend, Skip, whom I live with, also smokes. This had been a source of friction between us. I wanted to quit smoking, he was ambivalent. I knew I couldn't do it unless he did as well. Living with a smoker while trying to quit, well . . . that was impossible, wasn't it? A part of me was never quite sure I wasn't just using that as an excuse to continue smoking.

He finally came around when he saw it as something concrete he could do to help me manage my distress. We made a commitment to to quit smoking on May 1, 2009. May 1st came and went, and on our 3^rd day cigarette-free Darcy took an unexpected turn for the worse. She died on May 5th. Skip asked if I wanted to put off quitting to a less stressful time. My response was, “absolutely not,” (well, close - the two words I actually shrieked would  be inappropriate for print). I haven't had a cigarette since. He started back up a few weeks later, and of course I have concerns for his health, but his smoking doesn't tempt me to pick up a cigarette. Revelation #1 – I am stronger than I realized.

I had been living in Raleigh for a bit over a year at that time. Skip traveled a lot, and I hadn't made many friends. I missed Darcy terribly and had gained some weight after quitting. I was anxious and unhappy. I tend to be a homebody but knew I had to find an activity that would get me out of the house, meeting new people and moving my body in order to find contentment. While looking into various possibilities, I came across information on the Women's Beginner's Running Group through the North Carolina Roadrunners Club. Try as I might (I was never much of a “joiner”), I couldn't find a reason (excuse) not to join. The scheduled runs were at convenient times and places, and it seemed structured but low pressure. I'd never run in my life. It was the best thing I've ever done for myself. The amount of support this group provides has been unmatched by any other running (or other) group I’ve been a part of. Revelation #2 – Running can help manage anxiety and can make you feel amazing on many levels.

I've since run a few races including a half marathon.  I'm not fast, but I'm consistent, and I've met some wonderful people who help keep me going when I'm losing motivation. I've recently joined a gym and am doing yoga and lifting weights. Skip often tells me how proud he is of me at how far I've come. Running has given me common ground for conversations with people where none existed before and has added a new dimension to relationships I already had with people who run or participate regularly in other types of athletics. Without running, there are so many terrific people I would never have met. So many experiences I never would have had (6:00 am runs in the dark in 20-degree weather anyone), and running has played a monumental role in my remaining smoke free. Revelation #3 – Running can be a highly social activity.

I plan on paying it forward by volunteering with the Women's Beginner's group this summer. Though we all come to it for different reasons from different accomplishments and experiences, everyone who volunteers and participates in the program should know to their bones that they are introducing or being introduced to a life enhancing gift brimming with surprising possibilities. Revelation #4 - The running community is full of happy, supportive people of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels. (Must be the endorphins!)

Revelation #5 – I am a runner (It's still hard to believe), and I'm a better person because of it.

I  think Darcy would approve.