Self-Defense on the Run-Part 1
I run so that I can think. It isn't always pretty. Or safe.
“Movement is the Song of the Body.” - Vanda Scaravelli
I am a slow runner. In fact, some people might say that I am not running at all.
I don’t care.
I am out there, in the fresh air, noticing nature, and moving my body. While out running, I have been blessed to see hawks, cows, baby goats, sheep, foxes, dogs, cats, bears, turtles, newts, “mad geese”(below), breathtaking landscapes, and more. I even took an amazing photo of a ‘land eagle’ that turned out to be a log, but that is a story for another time.
Running has been an interesting teacher over the years. Here are just a few of the lessons that I have learned along the way.
Lesson one: Cherish your body.
I wish that this wisdom came to me in a moment of clarity, ideally while sitting comfortably on the couch. Instead, it came to me only after I injured myself—not once, but several times after trying to run faster than my body could tolerate.
Now, I am older, wiser, slower, and consequently, less injured by running. I have learned to be patient with myself, to exercise in a way that helps rather than hurts my body, and to be flexible in my approach based on my emotional and physical needs at the time.
Maybe this isn’t traditional self-defense, but it is self-preservation.
Lesson two: Weird stuff can happen when you are out running.
People you encounter may range from inappropriate and possibly dangerous to generous and kind. Trust your gut as you try to figure out where on this spectrum they may land.
True story:
When I was in high school, I often ran a popular loop in a park located directly across from the school. One day, while running this loop, a car edged closer to me and a man leaned out the window. “Do you want a ride?”
At first, I was baffled. Clearly, he knew that I was running on purpose. Next, my alarm bells went off and I listened to them. I politely declined (isn’t that what women do, especially at age 15?), turned around, and ran in the opposite direction, closer to other people and safety.
Necessary? I’ll never know. I did not wait to find out. I strongly believe in trusting your gut or intuition as it always has your best interests at heart and always is in response to something. In the psychology field, it is termed neuroception and it is a valuable early warning system. What is NEUROCEPTION?
A ‘primitive’ part of your brain is picking up cues of danger long before your ‘thinking’ brain can register them. Trust this neurobiological superpower.
If this situation happened today, I would have the knowledge, experience, and self-confidence to trust my intuition even more quickly. I’d worry less about his reaction and more about my safety.
Neuroception is your neurobiological superpower.
Trust it.
Even better true story:
During covid, I ran a lot. After all, it was a safe way to get exercise since the gym was closed. One very hot day, I went out for my favorite long, hilly run. About halfway through the run, I felt ill from possible heat exhaustion, so I slowed to a walk. A car pulled up beside me—but not too close—and the driver rolled down her window. “Are you okay?” She paused, then continued “I am a runner too,” she said, “and I just came from the grocery store and have some Gatorade. Do you want one?” I hesitated, thinking of the danger of covid --remember when we thought it was spread by touch? I could see the groceries and the case of Gatorade in the back seat. I balanced my need for electrolytes with my fear of catching covid. Additionally, my gut/intuition (neuroception) was telling me that this was safe and that hydration was a smart option.
I accepted the Gatorade that she threw to me and profusely thanked her as she drove away.
I was subsequently able to complete my run. Safely. Meaning, I did not die. I always take that as a win.
I strongly believe in trusting your intuition as it always has your best interests at heart and always is in response to something.
Lesson three: Running frees the mind.
As a client of mine used to say, “You can’t strangle art to life.” Point taken. Running allows my brain to be creative in a way that is not forced, unlike what happens when I sit at my desk with a short writing task on the agenda. For hours.
I am not implying that everyone should run or that running is the best or only way to unleash creativity and unburden your mind. Rather, I hope that you find your way, whatever that is. This is self-defense for your soul.
For me this statement is true: “The mind moves the body and the body moves the mind.” -David Quinlan, martial artist
I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas about this.
I’m listening.
“Maybe this isn’t traditional self-defense, but it is self-preservation.” — Yes. This line alone makes the whole piece worth reading. You reframed strength with such wisdom and heart.
I miss running. I ran five + miles daily from the time I was about 20 until my late forties. I LOVED the solitude, the stillness (I generally ran very early in the morning along a trail or sometimes in the quiet neighborhood). I did not have headphones on and so I was my only company. It was the best way for me to start my day. Sometimes getting going was tough but I did it anyway.
I began to develop knee issues (arthritis) and my primary care advised that, sooner or later, I was going to need knee replacement surgery. She (an avid exerciser) knew the importance to me of running but she also knew the challenges of TKR. She recommended that I switch over to walking . I had also been a bicyclist since about age 20 so I could continue cycling but I took myself off the running regime. I DID continue to walk daily (still do) - generally about a minimum of an hour a day - briskly and still very early in the morning. It's good enough but not as satisfying as running. These days I walk with those headphones in, often listening to a podcast or some music. I miss listening to myself but there is a part of me that is tired of hearing my same old conversation with self.
Thanks for the chance to reflect on my running days!