Hello runner friends!
Welcome back to the Bass Pro Fitness Series
MIDWEEK M😊TIVATI😊N blog
Now let's get started by talking about a way to "brighten up" your run today. I know, you're probably saying to yourself, "Melissa, we are in the midst of a three-day heat wave with full sun. How much brighter can it get?" If that's you, you'll be happy to know that I'm not talking about the weather but about your outlook.
But first, I'll share with you that I had some serious FOMO over the weekend because I had to miss out on all the fun at the Finley Farms Run on Saturday. And while I absolutely love my job as the Wellness Coordinator for our local county health department, I was sad that one of the races I direct fell on the same day as this awesome Bass Pro Fitness Series event. So, I did what every runner does when they miss out on the opportunity to participate in an awesome race.... I looked at all the photos.
But first, I'll share with you that I had some serious FOMO over the weekend because I had to miss out on all the fun at the Finley Farms Run on Saturday. And while I absolutely love my job as the Wellness Coordinator for our local county health department, I was sad that one of the races I direct fell on the same day as this awesome Bass Pro Fitness Series event. So, I did what every runner does when they miss out on the opportunity to participate in an awesome race.... I looked at all the photos.
And, let me tell you, there were a lot of smiling runners! The best part? Looking at their smiles made me smile! But that should come as no surprise since science shows this response to be something we're hard-wired to have.
This means, the "you smile, I smile" phenomenon is driven by a mix of neurology, psychology, and evolution. When we see someone smile, these unique brain cells trigger our own facial muscles to mirror the expression of the other person before we even realize it. When we smile back (even if it starts as an automatic reaction) our brains feel better because this simple physical act triggers the release of feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins.
Now, here's where it gets good! In a recent article published by Runner's World, the writer stated that "Doing a 'Smile Mile' Could be the Best Way to Brighten Your Run" because the challenge measures your run in smiles, not distance.
By doing this, you're almost guaranteed to come out feeling good about how you spent your time. It can be especially sweet to share a smile with other runners, as author, poet, and runner David Larbi pointed out in a recent TikTok. It’s also a good way to build up your rejection tolerance, as evidenced by marathoner Natalia Leckey (@thankfulshawty), who made a video lamenting the many people who ignore her when she greets them while on a run.
Even if you're not looking to get others to smile during your run, it turns out a different sort of smile mile can be beneficial; according to a recent study, smiling while running can actually make your own run more efficient. And who knows? Maybe your own pearly whites are all you need to make another person smile, too.
And there you have it friends. Smiling benefits both the one doing it and the one receiving it. So, do some 'Smile Miles' from time to time and reap the benefits that come from putting on a joyful grin for the world to see. Your runs will be brighter and so will your outlook. Happy Running!


