This is a four-part series highlighting local runners from all different backgrounds while exploring New Balance’s recent Run Your Way campaign. Click here to explore the rest of the stories.
Body aching after a long run? Well, the cure is, in fact, more running.
Recovery runs are the perfect solution when you’re feeling a bit stiff or mentally blocked up. We all know moving our bodies is beneficial in so many ways, and running is a strong competitor in that category. Running through nature or even amongst the hustle and bustle of the city is not only a meditative act to help us clear our heads, but it also stops our bodies from becoming physically sore after an intense period of activity or stress.
With the release of its Run Your Way campaign, New Balance has been encouraging all types of running for all types of runners, and recovery runs are a big part of it. Let’s face it, we’re all busy — and with that, we often forget to get moving or step away from our desks to freshen up our bodies and our minds. Whether you’ve just completed a marathon, had a 15-hour workday, or are having difficulty emotionally, running can turn your day around.
To show just how impactful they can be, we met Mikey Kratzer, an avid runner based just outside of the German capital, whose connection to the sport has fluctuated over the years but whose reason for running has truly remained the same.
So Mikey, when did you first get into running?
I’ve been running all my life. Initially, when I was playing football, running was more of a necessity rather than a passion. Later at the sports school I attended, I started doing triathlons, and obviously, running was an essential component, but not something I did for pleasure.
A lengthy hiatus came during my teen years when I discovered skateboarding, snowboarding, and DJing. After years of partying and drinking, I felt like I was squandering time and eventually got back into cycling. However, time became limited once my kids were born, leading me to a less time-consuming outlet: running. That was ten years ago, and now I can’t imagine life without it.
How has your life changed since you got into running?
Since I took up running, many things have changed. It provided me with the much-needed structure and enhanced my focus. Consequently, my circle of friends began to shift. I stopped drinking and smoking, and to my party-going friends, I became less appealing. This change was truly liberating. Instead of self-destruction, I found solace in friendships centered around a shared, healthy passion.
What are some of the emotions you feel after completing a big run?
With running, one can experience a gamut of emotions depending on the distance and intensity. There’s a saying that in a 100-mile race, you undergo a lifetime’s worth of emotions. I believe that glimpses of these emotions can be found in any run, ranging from good to bad to ugly.
How is running a meditative practice for you?
To me, running is meditative through the repetitive motion of alternating steps; my focus narrows down to the present moment. Setting an intention before a run can enhance this kind of experience.
What have you discovered about yourself or your body after running marathons?
I believe everyone eventually discovers that the body is more capable than we initially think. Right after crossing the finish line, there’s usually a feeling of discomfort accompanied by questions about why we put ourselves through such ordeals; but once that initial unease settles, a profound sense of accomplishment remains.
Where are some of your favorite outdoor spots to run in and out of the city?
My favorite spot to run is unquestionably the local mountains and the adjacent woods. However, I find beauty in every run, regardless of the location.
To get yourself running ready, even for those calmer recovery runs, shop New Balance’s latest gear and sneakers here.
