The Run Happy Theory

At the end of this past year, I vowed to stop chasing PRs. My mental health took a sharp turn for the worse, and the thing I loved the most, running, became one of the biggest enablers of my spiral. I got so caught up in improvement and achievement, that it was no longer fun. Instead of using running to regulate and manage, running became the fuel to my anger and sadness. 

In this new year, I've vowed to run happy. What does this mean? It means not competing with myself (and comparing myself to others). It means not thinking every race needs to be better than the last one. It means defining "better" in new ways. It means not obsessing over pace, and instead, running based on feel again. 

Does this go against every bone in my body? Yes. But it's also necessary to regain my peace. Otherwise I need to stop running - and that's not the path I want to take right now. I'm nowhere near done in what I'd like to achieve.

This past week, I ran a local race with my run club - the SRC 10-Mile Run to Moriches Field Brewing. It was the second annual for this specific event. I remember I went out guns blazing last year. Mostly because it was cold and I wanted to finish! This was the first "test" of the "Run Happy" theory. I covered my watch with my long sleeves so I wouldn't look at it. I found a comfortable pace by myself. Not trying to pick anyone off. Not trying to stay with a friend. The first mile clocked at 9:25 and I thought to myself "wow you're really moving". But I didn't try to slow down or speed up - I just kept running and enjoying the happy faces going by, my bouncy Latin music, and the scenery. 

I ran into my friend Gaston around the half way point and we chatted for a few moments. I wasn't able to keep up with him, but I didn't let it bother me. I'm grateful for his kindness and the boost he provided me.

By the end of the 10-miles, not only did I finish feeling strong, I set a new PR for both distance and course (by about 4 minutes). Will running happy produce these results every time? Likely not. But it was certainly gratifying to know that I have more control when I tell my brain to chill out. 

So I will continue to stop chasing PRs (for now). 

Hopefully you will see me on the course in 2026 smiling.