The benefits of running are well-documented and diverse, ranging from helping to control weight and blood pressure, to reducing stress and alleviating depression. But what brings each of us as individuals to running? It's easy to see the motivation of the gifted athlete with extraordinary physical capacities and intense competitive nature, but why does the average person lace up their shoes, day after day, year after year?
Here at Run My Route, we'd like to explore what keeps you coming back to the track ... or the road, or bike path, or hiking trail ...
Why I Run:
The summer I turned 15, my family moved, necessitating a transfer from a rural high school to a much larger one in a small city. As a shy teenager, the new setting was overwhelming, and I had trouble finding new friends. Popularity seemed to be based on involvement in school sports, for which I had no talent or inclination.
Then I heard of a newly-founded track club. I couldn't hit a ball, but I had always been able to run at the front of the class, so it occured to me that this could be a place I could fit in. I was lucky ... it was a small, welcoming group of kids, and I found the friendships I needed to sustain me. Running became associated with acceptance and confidence.
Thirty years later, I still run. Through university and career, marriage and children, losses and successes, running has been there, as reliable as an old friend, promising me I'll feel better afterwards. I've competed in distances from 400m to 26 miles, but these days I prefer to run alone, with just my dog for company, no schedule or goal race in mind. I can think things through, plan and dream, or just follow my thoughts. Although I appreciate the physical benefits, I've often gained more from the psychological boosts. I can turn to running, confident it will help me cope with vagaries life throw in my path.
Stay tuned to hear more musings on why we run from the "RunMyRoute" family, and please add your thoughts to the comments!
