… and your RUNNING is good for your SMILE!
Good morning fellow runners!
Here I am and I know that even though the forum has been very, ( oddly), quiet over the last week or so, that many of you have found time to run and to get the runs ticked off on the way to the Graduation Podium! It has been very warm !!!
And... I am back out there and I am running again, albeit very slowly!
As a result... I am a lot more smiley than of late! The weeks since Mr OF's heart attack have been challenging at times, with ups and downs and a few really trying moments! So, it is with a sense if relief that I pop the coffee on, put out the blackberry smoothies, freshly picked by myself and Mr OF), and a lovely selection of tasty and some healthy snacks...
So, grab your cushion... and your snack and settle down to share.
Because I am smiling... I thought of a post I wrote a couple of years ago and thought... yes, that is still the case. ! Smiling is good for us! Even in my lowest points over the last weeks, if I have thought of something that has made me smile... it really has helped!
It is true. It really is. So.... here goes...
I have started C25K again... and like a comfy old cardigan, I have slipped it on and am wearing it as a I move forward, slow and steady. Because I have done C25K and repeated bits or all many times, I do have time to think... and I was thinking of all the times I have heard, the advice to smile when I run!
Smile, when I am running. Smile, because weirdly it relaxes your face!
Now, I, like many, many of us, have days when I have to be honest, I did not feel much like smiling, but, sensible old snail that I am, I do as I am told. I did smile! After the run, I got to thinking and I started to do a little bit of research … ( you know what I am like)! What I found out was so interesting!
We all know how great the C25K programme is, and we all know how thrilled we are when we Graduate...we are running safely, we are running steadily , we are running strong, but are we running happy?
We should be because;
1) Physical exercise, running included, is known to release endorphins in the brain. Endorphins act as a natural ( err), drug, that make a person more energetic, more awake and, da da dah.... happier.
2) Running benefits us physically, which, in turn, makes us feel stronger and better able to handle life generally. Being in better shape, changes us, not only physically, but mentally, also. It makes us feel more in control and able to cope with confidence.
3) Running allows us to set goals. C25K sets the goal for us, but after Graduation, we choose our goals. Many folk are happier when they are working towards a goal, whether they actually achieve it or not. The act of setting a goal and actively working towards it is what seems to trigger happiness. Although sometimes, especially when we begin running, it is hard not to focus TOO much on the goal, and we may forget to enjoy the lead up to it.
Reaching the goal, is brilliant , but it is, apparently, the journey towards the goal that leads to the most happiness.
4) The happiness within ours and any other running community is a very social thing, despite the fact that we run as an individual. Look how supportive we are here and on all our running forums!. Running with friends or running with other runners virtually, gives us a wonderful feeling of belonging!
5) Running, when we accept and acknowledge it, improves our self-esteem. Now, increased self-esteem makes us happier. A happy runner is one who knows exactly how awesome they are. Don't you?
NOW, as if that was not enough reasons to be happy when running, there is more!
A study published in Psychology and Exercise, found that runners who smiled used less oxygen, ran more economically and had a lower perceived rate of exertion than those who frowned ! Blimey!
Tightening your jaw means everything is tense... relax it and smile and hey presto, running easy, running well, running happy!
According to the research, it can be a false smile...but a genuine smile apparently happens , even if it starts false!
Well !
I think that everything I have read, would make me want to start running. If I hadn't already started!
I do know that running makes me very happy. I do feel better physically and mentally and I do know that it makes me feel confident and more able to handle certain aspects of my life! But now I know that it is all based on scientific fact, by golly... !
So, food for thought here and we want to know how you are running. How is it going for you right now? Are you able to run happy? If you start out feeling a tad grumpy, stressed or just very, very low... does the run make you feel better?
So please, sit a while and do share what has been happening because this is a great place for advice, tips and just sharing!
Looking forward to all your replies.
Oldfloss x
PS
Photo is at a Scarecrow display... done most years, at Overton... I love her 
