Chapter 1: The Weight of Anxiety

At one point, I found myself adrift, overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, and worry. It was during this turbulent time that I decided to embark on my running journey.

The burden of an active mind can be more paralyzing than one might think. When you become fixated on every thought that crosses your mind, it often leads to a paralysis of indecision. This feeling intensifies when the comforting illusions of life dissolve, exposing a much larger and daunting reality. Graduating from school is a prime example of this; I was not immune to the pressure. Achieving success in academics meant earning A's rather than F's, with a clear path outlined in the syllabus. Transitioning from such a structured environment to one filled with uncertainty was disorienting.

In this new phase, feelings of being lost were inevitable. My immediate instinct was to seek an escape.

Escapism has never been more accessible. Whether through alcohol, drugs, or media, there are countless distractions available to keep the mind occupied, often allowing real issues to fester unnoticed. While the healthier alternatives—like nourishing meals, exercise, and forming meaningful connections—may be the best advice, they often lack the allure needed to inspire change. For many, including myself, such advice can seem tedious and uninteresting.

Gaming became my escape, providing a temporary refuge from my anxiety. However, as my anxiety escalated, I began to experience nightmares and sleep paralysis almost nightly. I knew a change was essential, and that change began with running.

I had previously dabbled in running, inspired by the character Sasuke from the anime Naruto, managing to run a few miles a day for a month before losing interest. But this time, I was determined to shed my excess thoughts onto the pavement. I committed to running six miles daily on the trails near my home in Seattle, pushing my body to its limits even as my legs swelled and ached.

Despite the discomfort, each run forced me to confront my reality. Unknowingly, I developed a routine that involved sitting with discomfort and learning to let it go.

At that time, I aspired to start my own business, despite lacking any experience in either entrepreneurship or running. Yet, this lack of experience fueled my desire to pursue both.

Fast forward seven years, and I still look back on that painful phase with appreciation. I was lost, but deep down, I knew I had to keep moving forward, regardless of the destination. I owe my current path of joy to that pivotal choice. Although the journey took time and I stumbled along the way—facing skepticism from those around me—I held onto the memories of those runs that had helped me confront my reality. Thank you, past self!

It's intriguing how the choices we never made often turn out to be the most impactful.

Video Title: Sit it out, or pound the pavement?

This video explores the decision-making process between remaining inactive versus embracing running as a therapeutic outlet.

Chapter 2: The Technique of Running

Running became my sanctuary, a way to clear my mind and confront my feelings head-on.

Video Title: 8:30/mile running technique in slow-motion (WORK IN PROGRESS)

This video showcases the intricacies of running techniques, presented in slow-motion to help understand form and efficiency.