Hey Hey! Hopefully you’re off to a great start to the week. I had a great weekend with family and friends and learned to finally enjoy playing softball! I’ll tell you all about it soon.
Since it’s Tuesday, I’m linking up with Tuesdays on the Run with April at Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Erika at MCM Mama Runs, and Patty at No-Guilt Life. We’re going back to the basics and talking about why it is that we run!
My Running Story:
My running journey began in 2011. I was starting to get more serious about fitness as I participated in an annual stair climb with my co-workers. My friends encouraged me to sign up for the Broad Street Run, the ultimate Philly race that is 10 miles long. I never thought I could run 10 miles, but I was up to the challenge and started to train in January for the race in May.
As the weeks went on, I went from a 12-minute pace on the treadmill to a 10-minute pace. I followed my training plan from Runner’s World magazine religiously…and when race day came I did great! I ran amongst a sea of people and felt that I belonged. I experienced that runners’ high and I was instantly hooked!
Why I Still Run:
After such an amazing experience I knew I wanted to keep running. Over the years, I’ve been through injuries and struggled with my confidence, but it hasn’t stopped me from running! Here are a few reasons why I’m still running.
I’m Pursuing a Goal:
In case you couldn’t tell, I’m a very goal-oriented person. Every path I’ve taken in life and success that I’ve had was due to a goal I intended to reach. When it comes to running, the first goal was Broad Street. Then I wanted to run a 5k. Then a half marathon. I still need to make it to the marathon distance – the ultimate goal! With running, it’s easy to gauge your progress. Right now I hope to improve my speed, now that my injuries are behind me and I’m in a good place. I have a couple of races left this season to see how it goes!
I’m Connecting With Nature:
Heading out the door for a run is so fulfilling. I love being out on the trail, and there is so much I would never have seen out there if not for running: hello Pennypack Park and Forbidden Drive! It’s an outlet that I can enjoy year-round and I love the peace and tranquility. I don’t have to think about a thing while I’m experiencing nature.
I’m Relieving Stress:
This should be a no-brainer! Running is great for reducing stress, whether running solo or in a group. It’s a healthy distraction! It’s an opportunity to uncover new ideas, to zone out to music, or to simply escape! I’ve had rough days where running is the only thing that can make me feel better. It truly is a gift!
I’m Bonding With Others:
Running has been a huge blessing for me. I have been able to forge friendships that may never have existed otherwise. I love talking to people about running, hearing their stories and about their training. I love the running blogger community! Everyone is so nice and really passionate. Philly has a great running community with City Fit Girls and Run215. Not to mention being able to run with my best friends has been awesome! Sometimes I’m still a little shy in new spaces, but I’m getting out there! Running is a great way to bond!
I’m Challenging Myself:
Back to being a goal-oriented person, I seem to be hooked to challenging myself. Running can never be boring for me, and if it gets that way, time for new scenery! Can I run this distance more efficiently? Can I work on my core and my hips to stay strong? Can I block the pain and run anyway? Wind, snow, drenching rain? I go for it all and I love seeing what I accomplish at the end. As long as I’m able, I pray that I never stop running!
[bctt tweet=”Fitness. Stress Relief. Camaraderie. Determination Why do you run? #runchat #sweatpink #PYBCYE “]
I shared why I run; what are the reasons that you run? And if you don’t run, what would encourage you to get started?
I run after work since there are people here that drive me nuts. I can blow off steam before heading home for the day.
Most of my runs are after work – I never thought of it that way but I like that idea!
Love this! I am very goal-oriented, also. There is nothing more motivating than progressing towards that goal and realizing that what you once thought you couldn’t do suddenly becomes doable!
So wait – your very first race was the Broad Street 10-miler?!?!? That is quite a distance to start with! When I first started running, I was all about the 5Ks… then the 10Ks… and so on. It took a long time for me to work up to a 10-miler. Kudos to you for nailing that goal so early on!
Haha yes I skipped the 5K and went straight to 10! I’m now most interested in tackling the 10K distance! I’m all over the place lol.
Great post–running challenges me and that’s one of the reasons I love it too! 🙂
I think that’s one of the main reasons I won’t stop – it’s addictive!
Starting out with running a ten miler before a 5k is very ambitious. Glad to see you caught the running bug. My first half was horrible and I said I wouldn’t run it again. Well ten fulls down and just as many halfs I’m still going strong.
Seeing how far you can come is SO rewarding, and all a part of the journey! I can’t wait to be a marathoner one day!
That’s great that your friends encouraged you to start running! I love all of your reasons. I feel my happiest and most “me” when I’m running. It’s almost like I feel like that’s what I was meant to do and I’m being the best me that I can be!
I love that!! I can totally relate to feeling that way about running too. I can just be me!
Running is definitely a great way to blow off steam! After a run, I’m usually a lot calmer and in a better mood, no matter what may have happened beforehand.
It’s amazing how running has that power, even when the run is tough!
YES to all of this!!!! This is why I try to introduce running to others….the payoffs are amazing!
🙂 We have to spread the word!!
It’s seriously such great stress relief for me, too!! When I’m struggling to just deal with the everyday headaches, I know it’s time to hit the pavement!! Great post!
Thanks Jennifer! Sometimes I suffer from anxiety, and it’s amazing how much running helps, even for a short distance. If only more people realized the benefits of running!
I’m impressed you started with Broad Street as your first race! So many good reasons to run – I can so relate!!
It was fun! Back then I was mainly a treadmill runner…oh how far I’ve come since then!
Your experience is so rewarding! Me I’ve started recently but I also know I want to keep doing it for long 🙂
That’s great that you’ve started running! It takes time but it’s so worth it! I hope it becomes a lifelong activity for you! 🙂
I made a promise to myself in January that I would run a runDisney 5K in November. I am older and started too quickly and had to take a month off to heal and strengthen the proper muscles to run safely. That was in January and February. I am starting week 6 of my new favorite activity. I am building slowly and have found my stress level, blood pressure and heart rate have lowered while my feeling of well being has increased. I’m loving being outside and found I like running without music. I like to hear the birds, wind and people while I’m out. Thanks for being one of the blogs I read regularly!
That’s awesome Rochelle! Strength training is so important and easily overlooked in the excitement of training for a new race. Glad you’re back at it, and the health benefits are the icing on the cake! So glad you’ve enjoyed reading 🙂
I run for many of the same reasons as you! I love getting out there and being outside. I think that explains why I dislike treadmill running so much. It takes away one of the best aspects of going for a run!
Yes, since training this past winter, I can’t stand the treadmill – so I did 99% of my runs outside. It’s the best way to do it in my opinion!
You run for all the same reasons I do! I just love connecting with other runners. Those are the people who get me! 🙂
Yes, we runners are kindred spirits! It’s great sharing “war” stories!
All wonderful reasons to run! I love it when I get to enjoy beautiful scenery on the run! Thanks for linking up with us today!
Thanks April, always a fun time! Seeing the sights is the best.
Love this post! I absolutely love reading about the reasons that people started running!
Thanks Pamela! It was nice to reflect and remind myself why I spend so much time doing this!
I basically run for all the same reasons you do! I’m also very goal (and numbers) oriented. I’m still pushing toward the marathon distance too. I’m planning on the fall. Yikes.
Woohoo! Good luck on training – which race are you doing?
I’m waiting to see if I got into Chicago through the lottery. If I didn’t, I have several others I’m thinking about. Regardless, it will be a lot of hot summer training.
Fun to hear your running story from the beginning. The Broad Street Run sounds like a terrific experience!
Good for you for keeping at it!
Broad Street was great! It got a little too crowded for me though…I’ll run it again eventually!
First and foremost, I run to be happy. Everything else is just a nice bonus!
Run happy, absolutely! I think all of my reasons ultimately lead to this point!
Your reasons for running are very similar to mine. I love the nature photos you showcased, I wish I we had some more of that type of scenery here by me.
It’s nice to have great scenery to run in while still in the city! I find anywhere outdoors can be interesting, especially if you can people watch while running!
Right now I’m getting ready for a 10 mile trail run in a couple of weeks. I run because I like how I feel afterward, because I love pasta, and because I need to exercise somehow and it’s easy to get lost in an audiobook while running.
That sounds awesome – good luck! You know I’ve never listened to an audiobook while running…I need to try that sometime!