Everyone runs for different reasons.
- Maybe you strap on the sneakers because it’s a great cardio exercise.
- Or maybe you find running inexpensive and easy to do.
- Perhaps you find long runs are a great outlet for stress and frustration.
- Or you could be the competitive type who likes to beat your personal best every race weekend.
Share your reasons below and find out what motivates other runners.
I ran at first just to maintain a healthy weight. I love to eat so I manage my weight through exercise. The demands of adult life shifted me from cycling to running as it takes less time to get in a more efficient workout. A colleague from work got me into running races; I went first for the challenge but now go for the atmosphere. I love the excitement of races and always challenge myself to a personal best as I’m not a fast runner so I don’t compete outside of my own times. Summer always seems to go too fast but I do what I can to get in as many races as I can. I put one on in my home town as a fundraiser for our school’s scholarship foundation. You might say the whole thing is in my blood now.
I have to admit, I used to run for the T-shirts. After I had collected 7 or so, I started paying more attention to my times. When I first starting running 5ks I would line up towards the back and start off slow. Once, I started going for faster times, I slowly moved up in the starting line to be able to run with the fast crowd. This brought out the competitiveness in me, so I guess my motivation has changed over time.
I can also say running is the best stress reliever I’ve found.