This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

James Joyce Ramble: 28th Edition - To Ramble or Not?

An avid runner debates whether to run the 28th James Joyce Ramble and muses on the benefits of running and its relationship to mental health, overall well-being and pancakes.

Last Sunday morning I dragged myself out of bed, downed some coffee and several glasses of water, ate my oatmeal and banana breakfast, looked at my running shoes and debated whether to head to Dedham to participate in the 28th Anniversary James Joyce Ramble.  Running the race this year was, for me, by no means a sure thing. Although I had pre-registered online and picked up my bib on Friday night at City Sports, I needed major encouragement and cheerleading (yes – I talk to myself, sometimes at loud volume) to pin that bib on Sunday morning.

As has been my tradition for several years, the James Joyce Ramble is the race I consider the "start" of my own personal road race season. We in Westwood are very fortunate to have such a well-organized and interesting road race in our neighboring town.

The official Ramble website explains the creation of this very unique event:

Find out what's happening in Westwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Over the long cold winter of 1983-84, avid runner and James Joyce fan Martin Casimir Hanley of Dedham was struggling through ‘Finnegan’s Wake’ when the thought occurred to him that this was as tough as training for a race . . . and voila! The James Joyce Ramble was conceived . . . Approximately two dozen costumed actors read the works of Joyce aloud along the (6.2 mile) route . . . Six works are featured, beginning with ‘Finnegan's Wake,’ to ‘Ulysses,’ to ‘A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man,’ ‘Exiles,’ ‘Dubliners,’ and, finally in the last mile, ‘The Dead.’” 

So, not only do you get great exercise, you get a wacky theater and literature experience too, with snippets of Joyce to savor as you cruise by. How cool is that? 

Find out what's happening in Westwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But with an 11 a.m. start, I had plenty of time to discourage myself.

First off, I was dead tired. I had not slept well the night before. Why? Aside from my usual insomnia, it had been Prom Night for my senior son. Let’s face it - Prom Night is a nerve-wracker. Oh, sure, we put draconian safeguards in place – the limos (no one drives!), the signed agreements not to drink (you could be expelled!!), the teacher chaperones (the Head of School will shake each and every hand!!!) -  yet I still kept expecting the phone to ring. My son’s date was being picked up from the (police-detailed!) after-party at 2 a.m., and I figured that, once the date was gone, he was going to want to leave too. When the phone didn’t ring by 2:30 a.m., I fell asleep.  A quick 4 1/2 hours later, my alarm clock rang.  Ouch. I had to get my sixth-grade daughter to her school by 8 a.m. for a speech tournament. As far as I was concerned, I had a pretty solid excuse for driving said daughter to school and coming home and crawling back under the covers.

Secondly, I forgot to train for the event. Sure, I had run every other day through-out the winter and spring (well, maybe I skipped a few, um, weeks in there…), but I had not trained for the event. Even under the best of circumstances, running a 6.2 mile course that includes some challenging hills, about 3,000 runners and thousands of spectators, can be intimidating. Untrained and bone-tired, I was just not sure I could do it. I posted my Facebook status as, “Not sure I can drag my sorry butt to the race.” One friend responded, “Do it.” Yeah, hmm, okay!  Some much needed encouragement. Then another friend posted, “Make pancakes.” Whoa, that sounded like a much better idea! I love pancakes! Forget the race, let’s eat!

But, I figured, of course I could do it. I had done it before. I could take my time. I wasn’t racing, I was running and I certainly was not going to win in my age-group (hah!). And, it was a beautiful spring day with cool temps and a sunny sky which made for perfect running weather. And, it was something I loved to do and great exercise. And, most importantly, after I was done I could go home and make pancakes!!!

While I have many hobbies, running is my passion. I may have a snail-like pace (I finished the Ramble in 1 hour and 28 seconds, a 9.44 pace), but I love it and cannot imagine my life without a long run in the early morning. And running is not just good exercise. Yes, it will help me keep my weight down and my muscles toned and bones strong as I age. But for anyone, at any age, running is a mental health bonanza. As it turns out, May is National Mental Health Awareness Month (May is also National Salad Month, National Egg Month, National Barbecue Month, National Hamburger Month, and Fungal Infection Awareness Month – who knew?).  

Studies have shown that running can be a critical element in achieving, and maintaining, good overall mental health. One recent article points out:

“Running, especially outside and on trails, creates a release of endorphins that can cause euphoria (runner's high) or just a general sense of happiness. (Runner’s experience) less tension, less depression, less fatigue, and less confusion.”

Hey! Who can’t benefit from a general sense of happiness? Who doesn’t want less tension and confusion? What’s that, you say? I say, hit the pavement, brothers and sisters!

So, give a shout if you see me running on the sidewalks and streets of Westwood (not that I will hear you, as I blast incredibly loud music on my iPod, but just sayin’). And even if you think you cannot run down your driveway to pick up the mail, you would be surprised how easy it is to start. Give it a try. And if you, like me, find you love it, you can register online for hundreds of road races all over Massachusetts, from 5Ks to marathons to triathlons. In fact, my very first road race was right here in Westwood at the First Annual Thurston Middle School Fun Run. I barely finished. I developed a cramp in my hamstring at mile 2. I felt really, really sick to my stomach. But I finished! I did it! And I have never looked back.  And if you start this May, you will be more than ready for next year’s Ramble.

Happy Trails!

(P.S. Hale Reservation has just introduced a 5K race series for the summer. To find out more, visit their website at www.halereservation.org).

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?