We spoke with Kate Van Buskirk last week and she said to find the “why” in your running, and that it will help you make your hardest running decisions. What are your goals? Why even bother running in the first place? What do you want from our sport? I was thinking about this after I failed to meet my goal last month at the Erie Marathon but then decided to let myself down easily: the why behind my running is because I like being active, I like keeping fit, I like having a schedule, I like the community, and it’s fun to train and race and just try new things.
I reached out to the community and asked why you people run. I love the answers we got back. Why do you run? Let us know what you think, and let us know if any of these statements ring true to your own path.
So my husband doesn’t have to hide the knives. . .
One person, one body, one movement, one effort, self satisfaction of the action.
So my daughter sees me at 6 a.m go and run so now she’s willing to get up at 6 a.m for basketball practice! Great example for my kids.
Because it’s cheaper than therapy…….. maybe!
Burns off the crazies, the longer the better…
For my children and grandchildren so I enjoy my time with them as I age. Not as a burden to them but as a fit older father and grandfather.
I run because it’s something I can do that is just for me regardless of the other demands on my time. I run because I feel better when I do than when I don’t. It’s just who I am.
Speed, freedom, to feel alive.
I love how I feel while running and after. I can feel it if I don’t run for a while.
It’s interesting, reading all of these: nobody has said, “I run to qualify for the Boston Marathon.” Or: “I run to bring down my 10K time.” Or: “I run to lose weight for my swimsuit.” Instead, people wrote:
I run to keep myself young and I like that it makes me feel good afterwards. It’s the fountain of youth!
I run to slow down.
Because I still can …
To improve my quality off life, relax and stay young as my body ages.
For the thrill of the race.
I run to stay fit, so that as I age, I will not be a burden on my children or grandchildren but rather enjoy my time with them for as long as I can.
It makes me feel good.
It gives me energy. It reminds me that I can do hard things. It connects me to a community that is inspiring, encouraging, and supportive…which gives me even more energy!
It’s a good challenge not only for my body, but for my mind. Each run I strive to be faster, stronger, go farther. I am astonished in what my body is capable in doing when running.
Retired young. Drank too much and ate too much out of boredom. Turning the doorknob to run every day gives me structure. Every run gives me the satisfaction of achieving something for me. Period.
It calms me, makes the days better and allows me to see view like this one:
Whenever you feel your motivation ebb or get discouraged, remember why it is that you’re out there running. Are you out there to hit a goal time, score a PB, increase the distance of your next race? All those reasons are good ones. But, when you strip them away, or if that doesn’t happen, remember what’s at the core of why you run.
