[Written by ChatGPT]
This past month, I’ve been craving something to ground me — something simple, something real. Life has felt overwhelming in so many ways. But yesterday, I did something I hadn’t done in a while: I put on a new pair of running shoes, stepped outside, and went for a run with my husband. It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t long. But it was exactly what I needed.
Just being out there, side by side, feet moving, hearts steady — it felt therapeutic in a way I hadn’t expected.
That feeling was echoed and validated in a book I read: The Perfect Medicine: How Running Makes Us Healthier and Happier by Dr. Brodie Ramin. If you’ve ever needed a reason to run — or a reminder of why it matters — this book is it.
Book Summary: The Perfect Medicine by Dr. Brodie Ramin
Dr. Ramin’s book is part science, part memoir, and entirely inspiring. A physician specializing in addiction medicine and internal health, he makes a powerful case for running as one of the best tools we have for both physical and mental wellness. He explores the science behind how running helps with depression, anxiety, cardiovascular health, and chronic illness — but the magic of the book is how personal it feels.
Ramin writes not just as a doctor, but as a runner. Based in Ottawa, he describes his favorite running routes through Canada’s beautiful capital — the Rideau Canal, the Gatineau trails, and the city’s quiet, tree-lined streets. His writing feels intimate and familiar, like you’re jogging alongside him, hearing his thoughts as he works through his own challenges.
He’s honest about the tough parts — injuries, setbacks, the days when getting out the door is the biggest hurdle. But he’s also deeply encouraging. Running, he says, isn’t about being fast or competitive. It’s about movement. It’s about healing. It’s about being present.
Running With Gratitude
That message stayed with me. When I went for that run with my husband yesterday, I wasn’t chasing a pace or a goal. I was just grateful.
Grateful for legs that can carry me.
Grateful for lungs that draw breath, even when life feels heavy.
Grateful for the quiet rhythm of sneakers on pavement, the calm that follows movement.
Grateful for a partner who will run beside me, stride for stride.
There’s something beautifully human about running. It asks so little, but it gives so much. Clarity. Strength. Peace. Perspective. It reminds me that even when everything feels out of control, I can still move forward — one step at a time.
So here’s to new running shoes, beautiful routes (wherever you are), and the incredible, often overlooked privilege of being able to run. If you’re ever feeling lost or stuck, maybe the best medicine really is just to lace up and go.
Thank you, Dr. Ramin, for reminding me of that.
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