Why do you run?

silencioesoro

I run because when I was younger, I was told I couldn't. I run because I can. I run because I lvoe that feeling of absolute peace and amazement at what I can do.

... Also it keeps me from flipping out on people!

FitnessTrainer69

To become better at running

Marcel182

I've been running for a couple of years now. I could never make it a social experience, running with friends or in groups just wouldn't work for me. It's the ultimate 'me-time'. I like prepping for a run : putting on my running clothes and shoes, preparing a custom 'Run of the day' playlist for my iPod and then off I go. The music keeps me going, pushes me harder when I start to tire, gives me a steady rhythm to move to, and lifts my spirits.

I haven't always been fond of running, mind you. Back in school, PE was a nightmare for me. I was scrawny, suffering from asthma and extremely unfit. I'd run for 5 minutes and I'd be out of breath with painful side stitches. But the teachers made me run anyway, so I hated it. After years of being unfit, I decided things had to change. I started running. It was awful at first, the shoes I had weren't right, and I barely managed a mile. But this time it was my decision. So I went again. And again. I bought better shoes and started listening to music during my runs. Runner's high, Flow... those are things I never would have believed I'd experience one day. But soon, they actually started happening.

Now I'm training for my first half-marathon later this year. I know running isn't for everybody, but it's definitely my jam.

cincysweetheart

I started exercising in general to aid in my weight loss and to improve my cardiovascular fitness. I chose walking because it was something I could do and still breathe. I didn't need special equipment. I didn't need anyone to show me how. I didn't need anyone to do it with me (unlike most sports). About 6 months in… I signed up for my first 5k because I was kinda "starstruck" by the person who was organizing it. And the 13 year old girl "groupie" in me went into flail mode and I "just had to meet him!" (I promise I conducted myself with more dignity and class than that!) I walked the whole thing, but it was after that event that I decided I wanted to be a runner. I loved the atmosphere and the feeling of being outside and alive and participating instead of just watching from the sidelines.

So now… why do I run? I feel a little like Forrest Gump when everyone was asking him why he was running. "Are you running for world peace? Are you running for the rain forest?" And his response was "I just felt like running!" I was doing a 10k just this past Saturday with my niece and she said she runs for her son. And she asked me why I do it. And that was my response… "I just felt like running."

So, now I've done a few 5k's, a 10k, and I'm training for my first half marathon in October.

oh_happy_day

It's accessible, challenging, builds my endurance and it's nice to get outside. Plus it really burns those calories!

Allison1385

All great! Thank you! I'm loving it more and more ♡

LiveLoveRunFar

I have dogs. We must run!

kellyship17

I run because I really like to drink beer and wine... and of course it relaxes me, it makes me feel energized, helps me sleep better at night, and I can always improve so it never gets boring.

MsJulesRenee

I have a lot of stress from my job so I run to burn off energy. Weight loss is a great side effect, too.

WhatMeRunning

I have no consistent answer. It started just as a way to increase the intensity of my prior exercise, that was just walking up to 6 miles. Then it became a curiosity to see if I could run further, even up to a half marathon. Then somewhere along the way as distances kept growing it just became something I liked doing but have trouble explaining why. It is particularly hard to explain right now due to the amount of time I invest weekly in my running. But I do enjoy it very much. Even if I am sore afterwards I am very pleased with myself.

So, I have no idea why. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

BasicGreatGuy

I realized I was becoming a peptide fragment. It was at that moment, that I decided to break the chain.

michellemybelll

i run because i love ice cream, beer, donuts, and other delicious foods in large quantities. i also run because it keeps me sane. and, i also run because i love the solitary nature of it.

enterdanger

I run because like several other people said, it makes my mind stop frantically thinking about every thing all at once. Plus, I like the endorphins. I've had some injuries lately so I'm limited on how much running I can do and where. I'm not doing great on paved surfaces yet (which I actually like running on), but that first run on the treadmill after 12 weeks of no running at all....even though it was the treadmill I had the biggest *kitten* eating grin on my face and people at the gym were looking at me like I was completely crazy.

I too am a beer drinker. I think most of us can probably relate to this comic. It explains most of how I feel about running.

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running

Allison1385

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running[/quote]

Love it! Lol

shrinkingbrian

I use to hate running but I enjoy a 2-3 mile run a few times a week. I still enjoy walking, swimming, and lifting weights, but a good run pushing myself helps me to stay in shape. There is a nice 1 mile trail by the river near my house and I go there 3-5 times a week and get about 3-6 miles, depending on the day.

PumpkinRunning

In October of 2014, I watched my brother run his 4 (or 5th?) marathon. While waiting for him at one of the mile markers, my cousin and sister-in-law had a conversation about how my brother had asked each of them to train for a year (or two, in my SIL's case) and run the marathon with him next time. They were both laughing/joking about saying no to him. I realized that he hadn't asked ME to run with him, and really, why would he? At the time I weighed around 280lbs; I had been working out with a trainer for a few months, but it was only weight training, and I had only lost about 10-15lbs at that time because I hadn't made any changes to my eating.

Now, I wasn't about to volunteer to run a marathon with him, but I was thinking maybe he would agree to run a 5K with me in time for my 29th birthday in May. I asked him later that night, and he agreed. I waited until January (after losing another 15-20lbs) before even attempting to run: my trainer had me go 30 seconds on the treadmill at 4mph, and I thought I was going to die -- she still likes to remind me of this

I downloaded the C25K app, and after a few stops and starts, I began to really follow it in Feb/March. I was very skeptical of how quickly they expected you to progress in the running sections; I would always warn my trainer that I might not be able to make it, but then, funny enough, we would always finish it. As race day loomed closer, I was really worried that the C25K wasn't enough for me to be ready; my pace is so slow that I had only really run 2.25-2.5 miles at a time with the app. Also, I scoped out the course and realized it was quite hilly; nothing too steep, but it was pretty much rolling hills the entire course! I told my trainer that my goal was to be able to run at least half of the 5K without stopping. She just smiled.

On May 17th, with my trainer/friend by my side, we crossed the finish line at 47 minutes; and no, we didn't take any walking breaks (I really do just run that slowly...about a 15min/mile pace). My brother wasn't able to run with us that day, but he did meet me at the finish line to celebrate. Honestly, the 5K is one of my biggest accomplishments to date; it's one of the only times I've ever set a goal that far in advance and stuck with it (having my running partner/trainer/friend/therapist, Kim, made all the difference).

My brother warned me when I first started running that it becomes addictive. I told him no way... Now I'm training for my first 10K on Halloween, so I guess he was right

kbolton322

Marcel182 wrote: »

I've been running for a couple of years now. I could never make it a social experience, running with friends or in groups just wouldn't work for me. It's the ultimate 'me-time'. I like prepping for a run : putting on my running clothes and shoes, preparing a custom 'Run of the day' playlist for my iPod and then off I go. The music keeps me going, pushes me harder when I start to tire, gives me a steady rhythm to move to, and lifts my spirits.

^^^^^ This is so me...
Plus I like to drink beer!!!

lilawolf

LOVE the turtle stomping through peanut butter quote! lol. I wanted to do mud/obstacle runs, I wanted more endurance for sparring, and more calories for more food. When I first started, I couldn't run more than a couple minutes without my shins hurting. I got fitted for shoes, did a bit of C25k, Zombies!Run (still do this sometimes), and just kept trying. Last weekend, I managed 5+ miles with hills without walking once and enjoyed it! That was like 60% more than my previous best.

mbaker566

I think I peeked in earlier and as @WhatMeRunning said, reasons change...
now I think I'm running because I said I couldn't
and I just ran 25 min this morning and last week I ran 35 min without stopping.

WhatMeRunning

enterdanger wrote: »

http://theoatmeal.com/comics/running

That was beautiful!

I never thought to use a straw with Nutella. Now that I know this secret though, it is sure to happen on my next Nutella rampage.

arussell134

Oh lots of reasons!

1) I found it was EXCELLENT for weight loss! You burn so many calories. (I combined it with weight training for optimal results).
2) Mental aspect - I find that some of my best ideas and daydreams happen while I'm running.
3) Feeling of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line of 26.2 miles is an incredible, incredible feeling.
4) It's a tangible way to measure my progress. Over the years, I've watched my 5K time go from about 34 minutes to 23:31 this past July!
5) It helps inspire me to be great in other areas of my life.
6) The community. I love toeing the line at a local race, going on a long run with an old friend who's in town for the weekend, or chatting with a friend who just achieved a new PR. I'm participating on a Hood to Coast relay team this year and can't wait!
7) The cute clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!

And there are more.

dinsfamily

I started running after having my last baby because I thought it would be the fastest way to get myself back in shape. It helped me lose weight quickly, for sure, but I found I loved it. I think that I love the accomplishment of training and running a race well. I also love the fun (and not-so-fun) times with my running group. Whether we're grueling it out in the hot Tx sun or freezing at 5:30am in Jan., we are getting it done. Those guys get me to the track or trail every week in the wee hours of the morning.

BasicGreatGuy

arussell134 wrote: »

Oh lots of reasons!

1) I found it was EXCELLENT for weight loss! You burn so many calories. (I combined it with weight training for optimal results).
2) Mental aspect - I find that some of my best ideas and daydreams happen while I'm running.
3) Feeling of accomplishment. Crossing the finish line of 26.2 miles is an incredible, incredible feeling.
4) It's a tangible way to measure my progress. Over the years, I've watched my 5K time go from about 34 minutes to 23:31 this past July!
5) It helps inspire me to be great in other areas of my life.
6) The community. I love toeing the line at a local race, going on a long run with an old friend who's in town for the weekend, or chatting with a friend who just achieved a new PR. I'm participating on a Hood to Coast relay team this year and can't wait!
7) The cute clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!

And there are more.

You shared some very good points, Miss Russell

Your profile quote is very good as well. More people need to start truly believing that about themselves.

chelsy0587

DavPul wrote: »

Police trying to get me and hang these false charges on my head. As soon as dogs lose my scent I'm never running again

Best answer yet!

I run because it feels so awesome to run further and faster each time... Plus I have a 3 year old boy and another on the way. I want to really challenge them to a race!

jchite84

I was never ran a mile. Like many hated PE, etc. Just thought that I couldn't do it. I had a buddy who was retired from the army and he wanted me to work out with him. So we'd do the normal calisthenics, and as a cool down he made me run one day. We ran about 3/4 of a mile and I thought of was going to die, but thought "Oh $h1t, I just almost ran a mile". So I started C25K the next week. After I ran my first 5K I just kept going longer and longer. People look at me funny if I tell them that I'm a runner, and part of me keeps going for longer distances just to show people that running isn't just for tall skinny folks. I've run a marathon, numerous halfs, 10Ks, 15Ks, several triathlons. Right now I'm 4 weeks into 50K training and I'm hoping to do a 50 mi next year.

So, I run because I never thought I could and because people still think I can't.

BasicGreatGuy

jchite84 wrote: »

I was never ran a mile. Like many hated PE, etc. Just thought that I couldn't do it. I had a buddy who was retired from the army and he wanted me to work out with him. So we'd do the normal calisthenics, and as a cool down he made me run one day. We ran about 3/4 of a mile and I thought of was going to die, but thought "Oh $h1t, I just almost ran a mile". So I started C25K the next week. After I ran my first 5K I just kept going longer and longer. People look at me funny if I tell them that I'm a runner, and part of me keeps going for longer distances just to show people that running isn't just for tall skinny folks. I've run a marathon, numerous halfs, 10Ks, 15Ks, several triathlons. Right now I'm 4 weeks into 50K training and I'm hoping to do a 50 mi next year.

So, I run because I never thought I could and because people still think I can't.

Good for you. The 50 mile is one heck of a marathon. My brother has done it along with a 100 mile.

Looks like you jumped right in, once you had that "I almost ran a mile" moment.

girlwithcurls2

So that I can drink beer.

HermioneDanger118

I started running because I never thought I could. I wanted to finish the Disney Wine & Dine half marathon this past November that was on my 30th birthday, and I thought it would be great to start a new decade doing something I never thought I could do. Then the Wine & Dine became the Splash & Dash due to rain the ENTIRE race. That and some arch/feet issues kept me off running til I got some orthotics and now I'm thrilled to be back. Why? Because regardless of what I used to think, I AM a runner! =D

CooCooPuff

I think it's fun.

Papatoad194

I am doing c25k. I run like a three legged dirt pig with no hair on it's belly. I sound like a sick hoover as I slowly chug along, barely running slower than my brisk walk. Yet some reason I got it in my head I would run a 5 k anywhere, anytime. I am past the age where ascetics mean as much as being able to climb and lift a person hundred and fifty pounds up to me while hanging on a ledge. That and running from cannibalistic pygmy's who want their golden monkey god back.