In Pursuit of Peace: How Running Became My Path to Healing
This article is contributed by Choling, sharing his personal journey and story with us.
For the past few months, my life has taken a turn, an unexpected shift from the iron weights of strength training to the rhythmic sound of footsteps on a treadmill. I embraced running, not to escape, but to find something that strength alone could not give me—endurance. Both physical and mental. And in the slow, steady rise of kilometres, I found something akin to peace. It started simple. Running three times a week, a few kilometres here and there. A shift from the weight-laden days when I focused solely on muscle and strength. Now, it is the quiet power of distance that I am chasing. As the weeks turned into months, running became a ritual. Weekends became dedicated to long runs, 15-23 kilometres that test not just my legs but my willpower. And in the treadmill’s monotonous hum, I found a different kind of discipline. A rhythm that brought both exhaustion and joy.
Yet, it was not just about the miles. This new chapter was about rediscovering a version of myself that I had not met before. As someone who once grappled with addiction to smoking and alcohol, fitness wasn’t always a priority. Thirteen years ago, I quit drinking—a difficult but profoundly rewarding decision. I used to drink until the bars closed and would seek out any place still open. Smoking was no different—30 to 40 cigarettes a day. But 10 months ago, I put an end to that too, and it was one of the hardest yet most rewarding decisions I have ever made. But I have learned that it is never too late to start again—to rewrite the narrative of your life, one step at a time. It’s been a journey of transformation ever since. Running gave me a second chance, a way to reclaim both my body and mind. It is a powerful feeling, a reminder of what the body and mind can achieve when aligned.
And now, as November draws closer, so does my next challenge: the 17th edition of the Thimphu Half Marathon. My first official marathon, a milestone in this unexpected journey. And after that, who knows? Perhaps the Bhutan International Marathon in March 2025 will be my next frontier. But this journey is not just about the destination. It is about the transformation along the way. It is about finding balance—between running, strength training, and the desire to keep growing. And maybe, just maybe, it is about finding happiness in the pursuit itself.