Lately I’ve been thinking quite a bit about why I run. Is it for fun? The competition? The thrill of repeatedly pounding my feet against the pavement? Clearly a question this big calls for some soul searching.
I don’t run to win the race. I don’t even run to win my age group.
I don’t run because I feel like I should, and I don’t run because everyone else is doing it. I don’t run because I want people to think of me as a runner, or to admire me for any reason.
I don’t run because I want a bikini body. I don’t run because a celebrity whose figure I envy does it.
I don’t run to be long and lean. I don’t run for toned thighs, a flat tummy, or sexy buns. I don’t run to blast fat, or zap calories. I don’t run because I ate that cookie earlier, and I don’t run because I might eat that cookie later.
I don’t run to look good in my jeans, or in a new dress, or in any other article of clothing.
I don’t run to lose five pounds, or any weight at all.
I run because even though it makes me sweaty and sticky, it also makes me smile.
I run because it makes me feel balanced, free, and less burdened.
I run to have time to myself, so that I can think about whatever I want without any interruption.
I run for the concrete sense of accomplishment.
I run for the rich sense of community, the friendships, and the support that it brings to my life.
I run for the excitement of racing, and the possibility of pushing harder than you thought you could and doing better than before.
I run because it makes me feel strong, powerful, and beautiful. It puts me in touch with my body in a way that nothing else does.
I run because it has saved my life and made my recovery possible. I run to take care of myself. I run because I can.
And finally, I run because it’s fun. I run because I love it.
So, why do I run? That’s why.
2 comments
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Michelle says:
July 14, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC -5)
Thanks for this post! So needed about now. I’m having my own crisis with triathlon at the moment (as evidenced here: http://mymagicbean.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-hell-am-i-doing.html), and your post helped shed some light. Thank you so much!!!!!
emlit81 says:
July 14, 2011 at 4:36 pm (UTC -5)
I just read your post–I’m glad reading this helped you a little bit. Endurance sports are hard, and the mental component is a BIG part of it. Doubt can be difficult to handle, but it’s also totally normal. I hope you manage to work through your crisis!
Finding Training Inspiration – Weekly Links | Trying To Tri says:
July 15, 2011 at 8:19 am (UTC -5)
[...] at I Came to Run, Emilie blogged about WHY she runs, and a lot of her reasons rang true with me. I used to run for the weight loss/control [...]