Does running change your personality?

satfix · Nov 10, 2010

Do you find that when you run regularly, your countenance changes? More patient or less patient? Less likely to lose your temper or the same? Does running help you cope or do you run just for the exercise ? 
Now that I have settled in to a routine here in Minnesota and have begun "running" again, I am trying to remember why I ran before? Did running help beyond weight control and stamina or was it more? 
Why do you run?

markalan · Nov 10, 2010

Lately I've been running to deal with stress. It's been a great release of emotions for me. Plus, since my son hasn't been able to exercise since June, I run because he can't.

satfix · Nov 10, 2010

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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by markalan <a href="/forum/thread/71057/does-running-change-your-personality#post_1961132"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> 
Lately I've been running to deal with stress. It's been a great release of emotions for me. Plus, since my son hasn't been able to exercise since June, I run because he can't.
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Do you find you have to hit a certain point before you are at the stress relief point? Has that point changed? There was a time it would take three miles before I even felt like it wasn't a chore to run but then around 5 or 6 I was in that place- I can't even see me getting that far any more!

Grizzly · Nov 10, 2010

Where's Tigger when you need him. To paraphrase "I've always been a runner, it just took running for me to figure that out."

Mrtambalynman · Nov 10, 2010

I started running to improve my cardio for hockey and mountain biking. I don't think I ever enjoyed it, but I liked the challenge of trying to get faster or go further. Then running just became the most efficient way to stay in shape when I became a Dad. Then I started bike commuting again and I found it hard to work running in - I'm generally pretty tired from the riding. Add in the young family and I'd rather hit the tv when the kids are in bed.

ToddEP · Nov 10, 2010

I guess I run for the stress relief and the cardio and to keep young.
 
There are days, and you will get them in MN, Rich, where you will just not want to run this Winter. I have a hard time running in the pre-dawn this year for some odd reason. But I know I need to get my act together and get back into the routine of running then. It will make the day that much sunnier. SAD can be a thing to deal with for folks up here as compared to TX. 
 
The cardio just benefits me all around. Most of my family has a relatively good history with their hearts...I just want to keep it that way. Besides, it balances me out for sitting around the rest of the Winter in front of the fireplace.
 
Keeping young....I hit 50 this year. I don't feel like 50 and don't want to either. In my mind I believe that if I keep running old-age won't catch up to me.

yar · Nov 10, 2010

I honestly can't tell you why I run - aside from the health benefits, I can't really think of a good reason - and I really don't think I'm doing it for my physical health so much as my mental health. I will tell you that during the recent times I've been unable to run (knee injury/ MI) I've missed it so bad I could taste it. I'd be out walking and see a runner going past me and just ache to be doing the same thing. I'll tell you - I don't have the foggiest notion what's going on - but it's got me.
 
yar

RandMart · Nov 10, 2010

From my POTD ... 
 
1. Why do you run?
For the stories. As a surfer, every time out brought a story; some true, some bullshit, but there was always something to say about after each session. Every run brings a story ... whether it was the squirrel high in the tree who dropped his acorn in perfect time to bop me in the noggin as I ran beneath him; or trying to run ¼ of a mile in the two minutes it took a train to ride 2 miles, and beat him to the crossing; or just the sight of a ruby red sunrise before a warm front passed through on a day everyone else would see as grey and rainy.
 
***
 
Then again, there's the "<a href="http://400beers.blogspot.com/2008/06/age-old-question.html" target="_blank">Age-Old Question</a>"
 
"Are you running to something, or from something?" I'm running to: Friends Happiness Inspiration The future Peace Travel/adventure Conversely, I'm running from: Anger Fear Depression My past Age Failure On good days, I finish closer to the "to's" than the "from's"; on the days I'm on the "from" side, I just remind myself that there's always tomorrow.
 
***
 
Of course, there's always <a href="http://issuu.com/mcg1969/docs/antidepressant-effect-of-running" target="_blank">THIS</a>
 
***
 
Or maybe I'm just an Endorphin Junkie???

airehead · Nov 10, 2010

Running was always a "me" time. No one could get into that time. No kids, no spouse, no one. No one to correct me--I did it the way I wanted to. No one complaining. Just me "perfecting" my craft--something which belonged to me and me alone. I *owned* it. Really, the only thing I did truly own at the end of the day.
 
Maybe that's why it hurt so bad when I couldn't any longer...hmmm.

jebba · Nov 10, 2010

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXqAWjJ_dE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXqAWjJ_dE</a>
 
 
Running changes me. After 10 years, I am still surprising myself that I can do it. I've never done martial arts, but I imagine knowing that you can defend yourself give you a certain amount of confidence and inner peace. Knowing I can run does the same for me.
 
I run because I am not afraid.

airehead · Nov 10, 2010

Amen! I used to be terrified of running--a world that seemingly belonged only to the thin and beautiful. So I ran in the dark and learned that I could run, too.
 
Crossing that finish line in the daylight made me feel like I could do anything. Nothing was closed to me. 

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jebba <a href="/forum/thread/71057/does-running-change-your-personality#post_1961268"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXqAWjJ_dE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eXqAWjJ_dE</a>
 
 
Running changes me. After 10 years, I am still surprising myself that I can do it. I've never done martial arts, but I imagine knowing that you can defend yourself give you a certain amount of confidence and inner peace. Knowing I can run does the same for me.
 
I run because I am not afraid.
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duckgeek · Nov 10, 2010

I've been sidelined since August and I'm just getting back to a beginner's running level. The non-runner me is pudgier and pastier ill-informed since he doesn't listen to podcasts from NPR, ESPN or Things You Should Know.
 
Plus, I need some "me" time.

Shadow38 · Nov 10, 2010

Running has definitely changed me for the better. I always say it keeps me sane. I know DH would agree. Things just seem to make sense in my head when I'm running. I comment that I can solve all the world's problems on a run. Running has given me a healthy obsession. When I started running a mere 5 years ago, I started eating better and drinking less alcohol. My whole outlook has changed.
 
Why do I run? Many reasons, mental health, physical health (heart disease and all that in my family), and staying ahead of gravity in my middle age have something to do with it. Physical strength and confidence play a part and the social aspect with other runners does too.
 
I wish I was good at writing and could put it all into words. Where's Grizzly when you need him? <img alt="wink.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//wink.gif">

markalan · Nov 10, 2010

It all depends on what I'm stressed about. If it's work issues, I forget them after a 20 yards. If it's family, we'll that's a different issue. I've had runs that after a mile, I'm sitting on the side of the road in tears (yes real men can cry), it takes a lot to get up and continue. I usually do 5 or 6 miles after one of these episodes. It also depends on what you use the run for. My wife runs for the exercise, she hates the run, can't wait for it to be over. She's still waiting for her "runners high". I try to enjoy my run all the time, no matter how slow, fat and old I feel

fivekrunner · Nov 12, 2010

The world tells me that I'm much more tolerable when I'm training hard and racing well.

fox-runr · Nov 12, 2010

I've run the gamut 
First for weight loss...then me time...stress relief...then because I was good at it...sense of accomplishment...currently, I believe I run because it gives me confidence and reassurance that it's okay to be me

AlaMichele · Nov 12, 2010

<div class="quote-container">Quote:
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by jebba <a href="/forum/thread/71057/does-running-change-your-personality#post_1961268"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a> I run because I am not afraid.
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Funny, I run because I am. I started running because I saw the toll diabetes was taking on my mother and didn't want to travel that road. Am I different because I run? You bet! I'm a lot less cranky when I get my regular miles in.

wherestheportojohn · Nov 12, 2010

<img alt="angry1.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/angry1.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"> I'm injured and not able to do my piddly meaningless low-mileage slow middle aged plodding....
 
 
 
 
....and I miss it TERRIBLY!
 
 
 
apparently (even though I'm a jogger and not a 'real' runner) it makes me a happier person, and I didn't even realize it
 
 
I'm also fluffier and less fit without my 3-4x a week slogs. <img alt="angryfire.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/angryfire.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;">

bap · Nov 13, 2010

It may change my mood. My personality still sucks.
 
Isn't personality genetic?

Does running change your personality?

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