Why Do I Run?
Running was a huge passion for me in high school. People, including my parents, wondered how I could spend so much time running and actually enjoy it. I didn’t really have a good answer at the time. Looking back, I realize that I loved having tangible goals, working hard at them, and achieving many of them. I loved that the harder I worked, the more success I could have. And it also happened that most of my (few) friends were on the team.
After taking a long hiatus from consistent training, I’ve returned to running as a way to stay healthy and relieve stress. But there’s more to it than that. I’ll try to explain.
After building up my training over the prior 15 months, I recently ran a 50-mile race. To many people, that sounds like a crazy thing to do. I’m not quite sure why I signed up for it. It just sounded like an exciting challenge. In addition to my regular training, I completed several 20+ mile runs, including two 30 milers. One Saturday, the smog was bad enough that I did my training run on a treadmill…all 22 miles. 
During the 50-mile race, especially during the hard parts, I questioned myself and why I was running 50 miles. I never doubted I could finish, but what was I trying to prove? How could I justify spending so much time to train and a full Saturday to race? It’s not like I was going to win or benefit the world in any great way.
Below is what I could come up with. First, I’ll explain why I like to exercise in general. Second, I’ll explain why I like running in particular. And third, I’ll discuss why I try to run fast and compete in races.
Why I Like to Exercise
- Although questions remain to be answered about how physical exercise benefits our health, compelling scientific evidence does suggest that it helps us live longer and healthier. It’s not just about living more years—it’s also about having more life in the years.
- Even though exercise requires us to expend time and energy, I have found that exercise gives me a rebate on my investment—I feel more energetic, better able to focus, and more capable of tackling life’s challenges.
- While exercising, I can often clear my head and break free from the monotony of my day.
- Routine chores become easier when you’re in shape. When I was 30 pounds heavier and not exercising regularly, little things like unloading the car or carrying stuff up stairs seemed ominous.
- Regular exercise makes me less susceptible to feelings of anxiety and depression. It seems to take the edge off my negative emotions in a natural way.
- Exercise can fill time that might otherwise be spent on unhealthy habits. For example, when I’m exercising regularly, I have less time/interest in checking email incessantly, surfing the web aimlessly, playing video games (not that I would anyway), watching sports, eating junk food, etc.
- I believe that when I keep my body in good health, it is a way to glorify God, because I demonstrate that I will care for my body, a precious gift that He has given me. Maintaining good health also can be a way to show appreciation for the fact that my body functions properly. Just think…if you were given a fancy car as a gift, the responsible and courteous reaction would be to keep it looking nice and running smoothly.
- Achieving exercise-related goals gives me satisfaction and confidence. This confidence can carry over into other areas of life.
- I sit at a desk at work/school and sit on a train to/from. I don’t have to go out and milk the cows or work in the field. So it makes me more susceptible to gaining weight and being unhealthy. Exercise is a way to counter this.
- I feel like I look better when I’m healthy and trim.
Why I Like Running, In Particular
- Running is about the simplest type of exercise you can do. Technically, you don’t need any equipment whatsoever (though workout clothes are highly suggested). You can run in almost any location, any time of the day. You can run by yourself or with other people. The point is that it’s simple and pure.
- Along similar lines, running doesn’t require a lot of skill or technique (compared to say, biking or swimming). People will say that you can get faster by improving your running form, and that may be true, but I believe that for the most part you are best to run the way that feels most natural.
- While running, you can see nature in ways you can’t otherwise. For example, the 50-mile race I ran was on Antelope Island, on the Great Salt Lake (Utah). I saw much of that island and visited some places that can only be traveled by foot.
- Running seems to attract great people. There’s something about running that brings on camaraderie and goodwill. Maybe all that fresh air helps us filter out the negative vibes in our systems.
Why I Like Running Races
- You know that feeling you get after graduating from college or after paying off a car or after completing a difficult project? You can experience the same feelings of satisfaction regularly as you complete a distance you’ve never run before, run a distance faster than you ever have, win a race, or simply give your best.
- Running in races gives people a chance to showcase a talent that often is not appreciated by others otherwise.
- Achieving lofty racing goals can inspire others. When I watch the Olympics, for example, I feel inspired to stay fit and reach my own running goals.
- Races are usually community events. They allow me to interact with others and share a common bond.
- I’ve been fortunate to win a couple of small races this year, and I was awarded some nice prizes.
- I tend not to train consistently unless I’m working toward a specific goal. Races give me an objective to focus on, giving my day-to-day training a tangible purpose.
Obviously running is not the only type of physical exercise that is worthwhile or that can provide the benefits I’ve explained. It’s just the one that I prefer, for the reasons I’ve described. It’s also important to use wisdom in determining how much time to put into physical exercise. It’s possible to have too much of a good thing.
Well, there you have it. What else would you add to this list?
2 Responses to “Why Do I Run?”
Interesting ideas. I feel the same way about most of them. I would just much rather play basketball, tennis, or another sport than run, even though I do like running when I’m in shape.
By the way, if you replace “sleep” for “exercise” in the points under “Why I like to exercise” it’s works pretty well too.
This is why I run:
http://greenshortsrunning.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-i-run.html
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