What is so special about running???

I love that I just quit making all of the excuses and just did it! ( I can find any research to support my lazy habits be it exercise or eating to justify my all of my excuses.) I started running last year just to get my heart rate up in small sprints. I have to agree with the 'high' afterward is totally addictive. That time is just for me and is a huge stress reliever. I look better, feel better, sleep SO much better and can eat more food! My longest run is 9 miles, and I will run my first half this spring:)

I have a motto: "If it's not fun, I'm not doing it." Pretty simple, really. The truth is, if you're only running to piss somebody else off, or because you're told it's good for you, or whatever, and NOT because you like it, you'll stop. Working out needs to be something you enjoy. It's the only way you'll make it a life habit. Pretty simple.

With that said, I love running. Love it! I also enjoy cycling, swimming, and although not as much, lifting weights. I've found that if I mix all these activities through the week, it makes it even MORE enjoyable, as I don't burn out on any single type of workout.

My advice is, find what you like. If you seriously just don't "get" running, then what do you "get"? Try cycling. It's less injury prone, you get to go really fast, and it can be a real hoot getting out on the trails. Try swimming. Very low impact, excellent full body workout, and there's always a shower nearby so you don't have to go home all stinky and sweaty. Try cardio classes at your local gym. A positive setting, motivating instructor, and supportive people in class. How about kettle bell? LOTS of fun, great workout, combines aerobic and anaerobic.

In short, find what you like, and own it. Then, when somebody posts, "What's so special about

---

???", you can reply, "Oh let me just tell you..."

Nothing.

There are people who get the "runner's high," which I've never had...I just get boredom. You don't have to run to be fit, you can get the same benefits by lifting weights....excuse me, lifting heavy weights.

You're never going to get the cardio benefits of running from lifting heavy weights. My husband can bench in excess of 500 pounds -- so really damn heavy -- I can run much further than he ever could.

The rhythm of a run is amazine...it calms the body and the mind.

I used to hate running. Nearly 6 years ago I fell in love with cycling. Again, I think it's the rhythm of repetitive exercise. A few years back I noticed cycling doesn't tax my body at all anymore--and, quite frankly, I like the soreness that follows a good workout--so I decided to try running.

While it is much more difficult for me than cycling is, I always feel good after a run. Even a bad run. And isn't that what it's all about?

It's not exactly the run that is special. It's the feeling that you get afterwards. I have such a better outlook on everything when I have finished up a run. It is refreshing to my mind and body. I'm not saying that I am excited to put on my running shoes daily and get out there, but I always know that I will feel WAY better if I do

haha I love this example: running from zombies.. ;D
I like running but I get tired very fast, when I run in a treadmill I can during longer, but when I try to run in the street I get tired very very very fast. I don't understand why, and also when I run in a treadmill I always run at the same speed, when I run in the street I run fast in the beginning then I find it more difficult as I progress. Actually, one of the reasons why I get tired is because I have anemia but I'm taking my medication now, I hope it'll get better, I love running, and I love the feeling I have after running

I hate running, I believe its only useful (for ME) if I am running away from danger.. other than that its my enemy.. I get my cardio by doing Plyometrics and I do HIIT on my elliptical which only takes me about 20 minutes to do.. It works for me and yes I can run a 5k if I choose to but then again, why would I?..

real-world applications; e.g., running from zombies, running from police

LOL!!

When I was in my 20s, I walked. A few miles a couple times a week was all I needed. Then I got married, had one son, dealt with infertility, had my second son, and was the biggest I had ever been. A year and a half ago, I discovered the Couch -5k program, and it was amazing. As soon as I started, I noticed I was losing inches. I lost 3 sizes in my pants, and 2 sizes in the band size of my bras. And I only made it to week 7! I made a lot of excuses and stopped running pretty much altogether, the inches started creeping back. Now I'm back to working out every day with my Treadclimber and Wii fit and running whenever I can. I'm slow, but I don't care. I breathe very loudly, but I don't care. I get red in the face, but each time I run I feel stronger and more in control, even if it's just 8 minutes at a time.

driving home today I saw a whole heap of people running in the rain. I just thought "I hope they're actually training for some running event or something!" Otherwise, go do some other sort of exercise!

I've been running in the pouring rain and snow, and I'm not training for anything in particular......... Running in the rain is ace