Reasons to run: The cure for exhaustion? Running

There has been a recent rash of celebrity tragedy lately. A scourge like I’ve never seen before. The nasty little devil that’s wreaking havoc on these poor souls? Exhaustion.

What? That’s it? Well, obviously not.

Every time I see a celebrity admitted to the emergency room for exhaustion, I laugh for two reasons. One, I think it’s common knowledge that “exhaustion” is code word for a whole host of other maladies that the celebrity’s publicist would rather not name. We all know what they are: drug addiction, eating disorders, alcoholism, mental breakdowns.

I’m not making light of any of these. On the contrary, they are serious issues that need to be dealt with, but don’t patronize us hard-working normal people. Just tell us that so-and-so was admitted to the hospital but would like to keep their personal life personal. Good enough for me.

The other reason I chuckle at this excuse is that if every person I knew checked into the hospital because they were exhausted, the children of America would be roaming the streets like wild dogs with no parental supervision. Those of us who act as chefs, chauffeurs, nurses, counselors, gardeners, maids, and our own personal assistants know what exhaustion is and we deal with it.

“How?” you might ask.

As exhausting as life can be, it’s a good run that can restore me and get my synapsis snapping again.

Maybe that’s all these tired celebrities need. A nice, long run.

I don’t mean a celebrity run, either. Real runners don’t wear sweats two sizes too large, trucker hats, aviator sunglasses, and headphones the size of large bagels. Real runners don’t run with an entourage following, unless they’re the president. Real runners don’t run sans sports bra.

No, these sleepy souls need a good sweat. Sounds counterintuitive, I know, but it works.

The first few minutes of a run are a little like chewing taffy. It’s difficult at first, but if you keep at it, it gets easier and it’s oh-so yummy!

If I skipped a run every time I felt like dead weight, I would never lace up my shoes. But I know that objects in motion stay in motion, so I run. The sweat just washes the tiredness away.

So, if you happen to run into one of these exhausted famous people, do them a favor. Invite them out on a run. It does a body good.

Kim Cowart is a wife, mother, 24-Hour Fitness instructor and marathoner who was as excited to see Ryan Hall on a short run in New York as she was when she saw Don Johnson in Vegas.