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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 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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
Fitness. Stress Relief. Camaraderie. Determination Why do you run? #runchat #sweatpink #PYBCYE Click To TweetI shared why I run; what are the reasons that you run? And if you don’t run, what would encourage you to get started?
