Why Running?
If you’ve spent much time at all as a runner, you’ve probably already been asked this infamous question: “WHY are you running?!” It’s a common question posed by your non-running friends and family. Even strangers you pass on the street want to know why!
Running is difficult, tiring, and sometimes (okay, most of the time) it hurts. For many folks, it just doesn’t make sense why anyone would want to partake in this suffer-fest of a sport. But, if you’re a runner you don’t know why someone would NOT choose to unleash the joyous freedom that running can provide. The answer to why is not always a simple or universal one. Everyone runs for their own specific reason(s). There are though, some common answers and reasons that we runners share.
As my first blog post, I thought this would be the perfect place to start – my why for running. I discovered the world of running, like many people, by accident. As a small child I was always “running” around playing in the yard, so foot-powered propulsion was nothing new as I got older. Running for the pure sake of running though was something entirely different. It all started when I was in middle school and completing the annual Presidential Fitness Challenge that was required for all students. Part of the challenge was a timed mile, ran around the school’s track. Those four laps were my first taste of a sport that would ultimately become an identifying part of my life. But at that time, the only reason I did it was because I had to.
Fast forward to high school and college, and I was regularly running. Not because I was told to, but because I wanted to. At the age of 17, I entered my first 5k road race and discovered the pure joy of running. I also learned that I had some talent, finishing first in my age group and third overall. From that moment on, I was regularly running 5ks as a way to get outside, get some exercise, push myself, and deal with the stresses of school. It was a great outlet for me!
It took several more years before I was talked in to signing up for a half marathon, thanks to my girlfriend who had run several halfs already. I was quite certain that 13.1 miles was too far for anyone to willingly run, much less pay to do so! Nevertheless, I didn’t want to look like a wimp. Plus, I’m always up for a challenge. So I trained for and completed my first half marathon. It absolutely kicked my butt. My body was in shock and it was awful. So why did I want to do it all over again, only faster and farther? I wanted to do better, be better…. I still do. There’s a drive in me that wants to see exactly where my boundaries are, then push them a little further. Running is the perfect testing grounds to see what you’re really made of and what can be accomplished if you just put in the work.
Through running over the last decade, I’ve learned that my why has evolved over the years. But the underlying reasons are still the same. Starting out as a physical education requirement, I now run for a completely different kind of necessity – the joy, challenge, and accomplishment running can bring.
In talking with other runners, there’s a common theme of community, challenge, and overcoming obstacles present throughout the sport. There are no rules to running, or what you have to do to be a runner. That’s one of the most amazing things about the sport – we all have our own specific challenges and barriers to overcome to meet our goals, yet we are all runners.
Running is a great equalizer, in which elites and rookies alike can share a common bond and understanding. We all face struggles to meet our goals, whether it’s running your first mile without stopping, going sub-30 in the 5k, Boston Qualifying the marathon, or running a 100 mile ultra. No matter where you’re at as a runner, we all get there the same way – putting one foot in front of the other, and refusing to give up.
So why do I run? It’s a sport that challenges me, pushes me to be my best, keeps me healthy, and has the best community around. In short, it makes me happy. Some may say it’s crazy, but it sure is fun!
I’ll leave you with the words of running legend and Boston Marathon winner, John J. Kelly, who sums it up nicely: “We runners are all a little nutty, but we’re good people who just want to enjoy our healthy, primitive challenge. Others may not understand running, but we do, and we cherish it. That’s our only message.”
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