Running, what motivates you?!

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Replies

  • RunnerBlonde808
    RunnerBlonde808 Posts: 257 Member
    Running is my ME time. When I get stressed instead of eating I go run. I love the runner's high after (as someone else said) but the big thing that motivates me is just being out there in my own world. I solve a lot of the world's problems while I'm running..: ) lol.

    Training for races is also another big motivator. I just did my first half last week and it was awesome to train for that. I will be doing more in the spring. I do a lot of 5k's and 10k's that keep me motivated throughout the year.
  • WRXymama
    WRXymama Posts: 342 Member
    The ability to increase my endurance/stamina for just about anything. I'm able to now breathe better now that I've started running.
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    I love the solitude. What really motivates me, though, is food.
  • Txnurse97
    Txnurse97 Posts: 275 Member
    I ran track (1 mile and 2 mile races) for 2 years of high school. I wasn't a big fan of it then. Fast forward 20+ years, and I'm really, really enjoying it. For me, I get the runner's high, definitely. And it's the best cardio workout for me, in terms of the amount of calories burned in the time I put in.

    But I think the biggest reason I enjoy it is competing with myself. I've been running 5Ks and am going to run my first 10K in February. I'm always trying to better my time. It's fun to push myself to see what I can do.
  • SueGremlin
    SueGremlin Posts: 1,066 Member
    I love the solitude. What really motivates me, though, is food.
    That, and the way my *kitten* looks in these size 6 jeans.
  • julieh391
    julieh391 Posts: 683 Member
    Absolutely training for a race. I only do 5k's so far, but having a goal of beating my previous time is always in my head when I'm running or debating going to the gym the next morning. Also, food. I love to eat (and drink occasionally.) So I'll gladly run a few miles if it means I can dig into my kids' Halloween candy or have a few drinks at a party.
  • toomuchbootyindapants
    toomuchbootyindapants Posts: 811 Member
    Uhm, I hate cardio. With a passion. And running makes me pee myself.

    What motivates me? Lifting heavy and seeing new muscles poke out at me to say hi during a rest break. :D
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    Lots...

    I run for food
    I run in search of the perfect run
    I run to train for races
    I run for the after affects. It makes me feel better emotionally. It's great for depression.
    I run to lose weight
    I run because my friends do
    I run to try to better my pace.
    I run to hear my feet hit the pavement in an eerily quiet area. (pat pat pat pat pat. I hear it above my music. When I notice it, I have to take my headphones out and listen for awhile.)
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
    I run because I love how it's shaping my legs.

    I run because I love winning medals.

    I run because I love running solo and feeling like nothing or no one can touch me.

    I run for wine!
  • Bethie_B
    Bethie_B Posts: 292 Member
    I run because when I started, I got made fun of. And now, I sometimes get checked out. And having total "me time" is amazing.
  • AmyW125
    AmyW125 Posts: 303 Member
    Running helped me fit in a size 0 jean. I will always love it for that!
    I run for the ONLY me time I get.
    I run to stay in those damn jeans I worked so hard for (was a 16...:noway: )
    I run to get faster.
    I won a few races...now I want MORE medals!!!
    I love the sweat....:love:
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    Signing up for 5Ks. I definitely don't want to be the last person to cross the finish line so that's what motivates me to get moving! Plus, I want to beat my time every race.
  • Heaven71
    Heaven71 Posts: 706 Member
    Training for a race and seeing if I can meet or beat my goals.

    Plus I love how I feel afterward - sweaty, tired, happy! :drinker: And by then I've burned off enough calories that I can have a glass of wine or two with my dinner!

    Oh Oh Oh!! That's it, I second the drink after dinner!! Has to be it!
  • bbmkt11
    bbmkt11 Posts: 3 Member
    Good For You Stepmark! I used to run and I've just gotten back into it. I do a lot of run / walking. My goal is to run the whole 4.1 miles.
  • stepmark
    stepmark Posts: 48 Member
    Thanks bbmkt11!!!

    No doubt you'll be 'back in the saddle' again soon. I'm willing to bet your run/walk time is faster than my 'jogging' time.... :happy:

    I'm fearful of even trying to run in a 'race'....I'll get there someday :)
  • Double_Tapp
    Double_Tapp Posts: 101
    I run for the bag of Oreos when I finish the race. :laugh: j/k
  • danimal5867
    danimal5867 Posts: 390
    My motivation is my continual pursuit of personal bests. I still haven't ran a race for more than 30 years but I track every run with endomondo. I love looking at my time and distance afterwards and finding that I've set a new personal best.
  • Bossit
    Bossit Posts: 118 Member
    I can be chubby and happy because I can outrun all of my friends.
  • anonymousKel
    anonymousKel Posts: 92 Member
    Runner's high, that is what keeps me motivated. I don't always get it but when i do it's the best feeling in the world.

    very true I missed it today as back home from hols (which I ran every day with the dog in all weathers). Boot camp was good cos need some strength training but still....running !! aw
  • MelisRunning
    MelisRunning Posts: 819 Member
    Dropping from a size 22 jean into a size 4. That is great motivation!
  • mruntidy
    mruntidy Posts: 1,015 Member
    The Marine Corps cadences on my MP3 player
    Ironically the clarity of thought I get when I run, it's like I do a full mental rebuild on a 5k run
    Lastly the motivation of looking lean in any costumes I put together and the ones I can plan because I have lost so much weight

    Yes, nerd
  • shenanigansmo
    shenanigansmo Posts: 119 Member
    I'm an extremely competitive person by nature. Always have been. I love to compete against myself on regular run days to try to go faster, farther, and better than the last run. I LOOOOOOVE races, even though I'm not fast by any means, or have finished anywhere near a medal, I know that I'm finishing faster than others. I also write my official time on each bib and keep the bibs. That way I can compare my times and see my overall improvement.

    I also get ridiculous runners high. I agree with those that say that running is their "me time". The very first 5k I ran was about a week after I got horribly dumped. After I finished that race, I realized that I had almost 40 minutes of time where I wasn't thinking about that stupid relationship. Running allows me to clear my head for just a little bit during the day. I just crank up my music and concentrate on me.
  • DenyseMarieL
    DenyseMarieL Posts: 673 Member
    I trained for a 10k which I ran the end of Sept, after not running for 12 yrs. I forgot how enjoyable it is! Also, seeing my waistline shrink steadily is a huge motivator too!
  • littlemsmetal
    littlemsmetal Posts: 68
    Uhm, I hate cardio. With a passion. And running makes me pee myself.

    What motivates me? Lifting heavy and seeing new muscles poke out at me to say hi during a rest break. :D


    I laughed so hard I almost peed! Bahahaha! :D
  • littlemsmetal
    littlemsmetal Posts: 68
    Gaaaah! These were AMAZING responses! I'm so pumped it's not even funny. I have a total date with running planned for tomorrow!
  • healthynotthin
    healthynotthin Posts: 223 Member
    I don't know if I'm an enigma or very special case but I just love the adrenaline I get from running! Sometimes I say to myself "see the sky below you" as I take each step, then grin as I jump from step to step. Even just taking a deep breath of air as I begin my run can make all the difference. That and I never feel sexier than when I'm all breathless and covered in sweat from a good workout :)

    This, and what mruntidy said, I have the Marine Corps Cadence on my iPod as well as songs from Rocky, Scarface, and Top Gun in a special playlist just for my more intense workouts. :)
  • lorib1108
    lorib1108 Posts: 4 Member
    I hated running, but decided to try C25K, once I completed that program I was hooked. The day a experienced a true runners high, I was addicted. Now it is a competition with myself. I can't run at the moment, healthy issues, but as soon as I am released there is no stopping me.



    how long before you experienced the runner's high?
  • jen10st
    jen10st Posts: 325 Member
    I noticed that after a cardio workout at the gym that didn't have running included I'd feel ok but tired. After cardio workouts that included running and beating my last run time/speed/distance I'd leave feeling like superwoman. Running makes me feel amazing and even though I've only really started "learning" so run outside for a couple of months and it still hurts my legs I LOVE RUNNING, the adrenaline rush and lasting endorphins (and shrinking waistline) more than make up for the aching muscles because I know that will get better.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    I found out someone I dislike could run way farther than me. So I wanted to do it because I have a complex.
  • KarCrib
    KarCrib Posts: 39 Member
    Train for a race. I hate running too, but I've decided to do a 4.1 mile run on Thanksgiving morning. Knowing you are going to do it in the race situation will get you motivated to train. Good luck:)

    Me too. I just keep signing up for races. I don't want to be last so I train for them. I am doing 10K December 31st after many many 5Ks and mini triathlons and duathlons.

    The fact that I am committed to the race and people coming to cheer , makes me get out there and train!

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