Now in my mid 50s 😁 I can clearly see that throughout my life "running" at times has been my best and only friend. I grew up in a large foster family and we each had our own gifts.
Mine was running it didn't require fancy equipment and I could do it alone which fitted well with my personality type. I received the odd medal or first place in my younger cross country days.
However it wasn't till I was in my late 30s/early 40s I signed up for a couple of 1/2 marathons. Nearly 10yrs apart bettering my time significantly the older I got. Running through emotional pain and trauma never knowing if the light would shine again running was my warm safe place . I come and go from the tracks and roads but I always return, my eyes water just feeling these words I've never shared. Running is a blessing it doesn't ask anything except to turn the legs over, breath and be in the moment. Just me (sometimes my dog), Op Shop runners, no devices just the road /track and nature.
Blessed beyond words to have been gifted the ability to run/jog in the body I was given.
Running is certainly the most positive thing in my life natural mental and physical medicine for life.
Lee