Live Long Naturally

I took up running for the sole purpose of stress relief – I basically ran to feel good (and finish), that’s it. Now I run in appreciation of, and alert to what my senses might encounter – what new sensation might I experience.

I didn’t start out running – I had to walk before I could run. I had asthma growing up – couldn’t run a mile, let alone laugh too much. Yet, I ran my first full marathon when I was 40 and a half marathon 5 years later. I don’t say this to convince you to run or to impress you. Rather, impress upon you that I for one prefer to walk (or dance). Running just happens to be a quick workout that allows me to eat more and weigh less.

The following are a few ways I use my senses to make running more enjoyable:

• Sight – birds, landscaping, children at play, a dog chasing me.
• Sound – birds singing, a leaf blower, weed whacker, a barking dog.
• Smell – trees and flowers in bloom, a fireplace, or my favorite… wet dirt!
• Taste – sweat and lip balm sure beat a bug in the mouth, preferred tastes would be water or sport drink.
• Touch – sweat, goose bumps, rain on my skin… ahhh. Oh, I mustn’t forget a dog trying to bite my shoe.
• Thought – it is while running that thoughts come to me… sure beats racking my brain trying to find them. For this reason, I take my recorder with me.

What senses can you put to use to live long naturally? To entertain your senses, avoid boredom, and make health a habit? We mustn’t neglect our senses. As crazy as it sounds… the possible encounter of smelling wet dirt makes running worthwhile for me. It gets my tail wagging!

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