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As you know, I am a personal trainer. That means that I work with a lot of other personal trainers. We talk between clients sometimes. About our children, our spouses/significant others, our weekend plans. Sometimes more personal stuff. As I was looking for a new OB/Gyn recently, I heard a tale of a painful colposcopy. I even advised a much younger co-worker on a relationship issue.
One thing, ironically, that we don’t seem to talk about is our own fitness programs. What we do to stay fit and strong is rarely mentioned. While I’ll occasionally see one of the trainers on the elliptical between clients, and I’ve been known to go to a yoga class at work, I really don’t know what the other trainers do to stay fit.
I mention this because, when I was new to this job (only several months ago), I met another new trainer, and it came up that I was a runner. “Running!” she said, “I only do that if someone is chasing me!”
I thought then, and I still do, how odd. How can a personal trainer, presumably dedicated to health and fitness, would scoff at any form of exercise, even if it wasn’t her personal choice?
If you’re a runner you hear this a lot. You are crazy if you run long distances (to most people this is anything over three miles), you’re going to hurt your knees, running is hard, running is boring, and on and on. Why do you run? I hear this from my clients, my family, my non-running friends.
Why do I run? While I never feel the need to justify my running to anyone, I will sometimes try to find the words to express why I love to run. Hey, it’s another reason to talk about running! Maybe this will help you explain to the non-running people in your life why you need to get out the door even though it is cold, dark, or rainy. And if you’re not a runner, it might help you understand the crazy runners in your life.
Why I Run
- I run because it’s faster than walking. Yes, it’s true. When I first moved my fitness outdoors after years of video aerobics, I contemplated walking. Then I figured that I could get twice the workout in half the time and I was sold on running.
- I run because it clears my mind so I can think. Like moving meditation, I can empty my mind as I run, which allows all sorts of amazing things to fill it back up. I solve problems, create amazing blog posts and humorous quotes, write interesting letters to the editor of the local paper, all while my mind and body wander. Of course, remembering all of those wonderful things after I stop running is another thing.
- I run because I can.
- I run because it can always be different. I can run fast or slow. I can run on the trails or on the road. I can run on level ground or on hills. Or I can do all of those in one single run!
- I run because it’s easy. Many would disagree, but I say: Wake up, put on clothes and shoes, walk out the door, run. Easy!
- I run because the most amazing people in the world are runners and it gives me a chance to run with them.
- I run because there is nothing like the wind in my face, fresh air in my lungs, and the feeling of my feet hitting the ground.
- I run to be alone. Just me and my thoughts (or my audiobook if I’m inclined).
- I run to be with (old and new) friends. I have met many wonderful people in the middle of a long race, and have sealed lifelong friendships with my running partners.
- I run to explore. Whether it’s my own neighborhood, country trails or the city of Paris, I love to see the sights by foot.
- While I don’t run to lose weight or to eat what I want, I love that all that I have to do to keep my body healthy and in shape is to do something that I love to do.
- Running makes me happy. Whether it’s the endorphins or simply expending energy in the beautiful outdoors, I always finish my run in a good mood.
- I run because if I choose to train hard and get faster, I can do that, at any age and any speed. And if I compete, I compete against people my own age, not 20 something speedsters.
- I run because it energizes me. You’d think that it would tire me out, but instead it fuels me for my day. That being said…
- I run because I sleep really well when I run. Without it, not so much.
- I run because it makes me strong, independent, confident, and determined. And that’s what I need for everything else in life.
I run because I am a runner. Like the chicken or the egg, it’s hard to figure out which came first.
Why do you run?
I work out to be ALONE – just like you run! I just find physical activity should be a selfish thing 😉 !
I really enjoy running alone. So much of life is spent dealing with other people. It is so freeing to just be by yourself. Not selfish, just self-caring
Love this. I run because I am too impatient to walk, because I love the way it clears my head, makes me fit and strong…I love to envision me outrunning the bad guys 😉 even though I am not fast, I love it.
The nice thing about being a runner is, no matter how slow you are you’re faster than all those people sitting on the couch!
Love this Debbie. Love all of your reasons. I run because of the way that it makes me feel – strong and capable – and for the way that it clears my mind.
My reasons have evolved somewhat over the years as I’ve gotten older, recovered from injuries, and generally slowed down, but I do love the mental aspect of running. It does clear the mind!
This is too funny, Debbie. I wrote about the exact same thing today! We all have our reasons but it boils down to one thing – the way it makes us feel.
So funny! I’m glad we both published on the same day or I would have felt like a copycat. It would have made a good linkup though
I always have a tough time answering this question b/c for me, quite simply, I run because I love it. You have a great list here!
It was funny. When I first sat down to write I had a hard time thinking of reasons. Like you, I just love it. But once I got started I had a hard time stopping, and reading other people’s reasons I keep saying, oh yeah, that too!
You know, this is interesting. A few months ago, when i was deep in my struggle, steve and I had this discussion. At the time, I kept telling him that the reason i run is for the feeling at the finish line. i was stuck on that as the only reason I did it…..and while that is still my favorite reason, since then, I have rediscovered so many other reasons, many of which you mentioned above. There is so much to love about running, especially the ups and downs, and even the wind in your face like you mentioned! Love this Debbie 🙂
Thanks Tina. It is that other stuff that will keep you running through your life.
I run because I love it…plain and simple! 🙂
I agree! It is simple!
Love this post!
First and foremost, I’m a runner. I started running to overcome anxiety and depression; that was over 20 years ago. Now the reasons have changed, but running keeps me sane. I love the feeling of flying when it all comes together. I’ve had to add more cross training to my fitness regimen to keep me strong–but it’s all worth it, if I get to keep running into old age.
Thanks Wendy. My reasons have changed over the years too, but the bottom line is that I love the way running makes me feel.
Debbie – I love this. I think I run for so many of the same reasons – we meet all kinds of amazing people, it allows me to clear my mind and I completely agree with running because it’s faster than walkiing. LOVE this!
Thanks Carrie. Plus in many ways I think running is easier than fast walking. It flows better.
Love all of your reasons! I also love how running makes me feel stronger and more confident.
Thanks Heather. I agree. That’s one of the reasons I coach young girls. I love seeing how running helps their self confidence.
Because I can.
And as a personal trainer I encourage ALL forms of movement. 🙂
That was hard to believe, wasn’t it? Well, she no longer works there
I run because it is my me time and it keep me sane!
That’s the truth!
i was in a love running phase when i went to hawaii a couple years ago and it was a great way to explore the island!
I have seen so many interesting thing when I travel by just heading out the door and running.
Running is the least of all cardio evails to me. 🙂 Yup, I do a lot of cardio & always have but never really liked it.. I do get the accomplishment of finishing it! 🙂 I life for many of your reasons & mostly because I love to lift! 🙂
You could write a post about why you lift. I bet some of the reasons would be similar to my running ones.
Exactly! Your list could be my list! I run for the same reasons!!
That’s because we’re both brilliant and interesting women.
I run because it makes me happy and that makes me a better person!
I agree! I know my husband would agree too that I’m better when I’m happy.
I don’t run, but I love all your reasons! I lift because I love it, and it makes me stronger + more of a badass! :]
I think many of these reasons apply to any thing that we are dedicated to, whether it is running, cycling, lifting, or whatever.
I run because I can’t imagine my life without running – it is as much a part of me as my nose:)
I run because in an uncontrollable world of being a parent to two very small children it is something I can control. It’s my ME time, my time to clear my head, destress and recharge! And it make me feel strong!
This is so true! I just heard a scary statistic, 75% of adults are overweight or obese which makes me wonder (like you) why aren’t we putting more emphasis on a fitness plan? I run to feel like Wonder Woman! 🙂
Because I train my clients in my home gym, I don’t have the opportunity to interact with other trainers like I used to. When I did, they were mostly either “in awe of my marathon running” or “just didn’t understand why I ran so much.” With that said, they’d usually refer their new clients that wanted to run to me, since they felt I was more qualified to work with them. It’s almost like some trainers are afraid of runners. I know we’re a crazy bunch, but……..