Life Is a Marathon: How Running Built My Mental Resilience

How Running Helped Me Heal: A Personal Mental Health Journey

I’m a runner. I didn’t start that way. In middle school, I literally played sick to get out of running the mile in gym class. I was chubby, asthmatic, and terrified of being embarrassed in front of the other kids. I tried sports in high school, but mostly warmed the bench. Still, with persistence, I eventually managed to run a few miles at a time.

When I went to college, I discovered something important: running helped my mood. I’d tell my roommate, my younger brother and best friend, "I gotta go run the angry out." At that point, 3 to 4 miles was my limit, and that was fine by me.

My Early Struggles with Exercise

My running began as an escape and transformed into something deeper. During a study abroad trip, a friend who ran cross country convinced me to run six miles with her. I couldn’t hide from her encouragement, and with her tips, I found I was capable. Those six-mile runs became something I enjoyed. My go-to for a “fun” run.

The Power of Support and Encouragement

Later, I married my kids’ mom. Her dad, a five-time Ironman and marathon winner, became a kind of coach. He taught us how to run longer distances, fuel properly, and take care of our bodies. While parenthood limited our ability to train regularly, the knowledge stayed with me.

As our marriage ended, long runs returned—not just as a workout, but as therapy. Those miles gave me space to grieve, reflect, and consider the uncertain future ahead.

Running Through the Hard Stuff: Processing Divorce on the Trail

That summer, in the thick of my divorce, I decided to train for a marathon. I used every tip my two "coaches" had given me, like flipping socks inside out to prevent blisters, using energy gels at the right times, and knowing when to stop to avoid injury. That fall, I finished my first marathon. I ran at the pace I trained for, felt strong, and was proud of what I’d accomplished.

Why Therapy Is a Long-Term Journey

You might be wondering, “Cool story, but what does this have to do with mental health?”

Here’s the connection: mental health is a lot like training for a marathon. Each of those running coaches was like a good therapist or psychiatric provider. They helped me learn skills to improve and sustain my well-being. Similarly, mental health professionals help you build tools to face life’s challenges and heal from past trauma—like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or ADHD.

My coaches also taught me when to use energy gels to support my body. In the same way, psychiatric nurse practitioners prescribe medication to support your brain. Sometimes, your system needs help beyond what it can naturally do, and that’s okay. With guidance, medication can bring balance and make hard times more manageable.

Another lesson from marathon training: sometimes, you have to end a race early to avoid serious injury. The same goes for toxic relationships or harmful environments. A good therapist will help you evaluate what’s helping and what’s hurting and give you permission to walk away from what no longer serves you.

These mental health experts, therapists and psychiatric providers, have been key to my growth. Just like in a marathon, they’ve helped me stay steady, recover, and move forward with purpose. Therapy isn’t a quick fix. It’s long-term training, emotional conditioning, and thoughtful support.

How to Start Your Own Mental Health Marathon

If you’re ready to take the first step:

1. Talk to a trusted therapist or psychiatric provider

2. Try moving your body, even a little

3. Stay consistent, even on the hard days

Mental health, like running, is personal, powerful, and worth the work. Let Axis Integrated Mental Health support your journey. Contact us at (720) 400-7025 or book an appointment online!

FAQs

1. How does exercise like running improve mental health?

2. Can therapy really help with long-term emotional struggles?

3. What’s the difference between a therapist and a psychiatric provider?

4. How do I know if I need medication or if therapy is enough?

5. What if I’m too overwhelmed to even start exercising or therapy?