After a busy
weekend I ventured out for a Monday morning run. I was reminded, once again that too many
treats and not enough fluids is a bad idea. The first mile was – hard! After some
self-chastising I settled in and reflected. The truth is – the first mile is
always hard. Every mile is hard.
One might
ask, “If running is so hard, why do you do it?”
There isn’t
one answer, nor are the answers the same for every runner. Some benefits are immediate while others take
months to manifest themselves. Here are a few of the reasons I run.
Flexibility – I’m not talking about
physical flexibility, rather the ability to run whenever and wherever the opportunity
arises. I don’t need a gym. I only need my shoes.
Cognition – My brain seems to work
better after a run. Worldly worries appear less formidable. Perhaps this is because
I feel strong after a run.
Accomplishment – Visualizing a course
can be intimidating, but reviewing a course after pounding out a few miles
creates a sense of triumph! “Hey! Look what I did!”
Community – Runners, like writers, are
supportive of other runners. A runner never sees another runner and thinks, “That
old girl is slow.” A runner sees another runner and thinks, “I wish I was
running right now. Look at that runner! I’m so proud of her. I wonder if that runner needs a running partner. Wow, he’s fast!” And so on …
Have you
thought about running, but need a little motivation to begin? Are you a fellow
runner with reasons of your own to share? Sound off in the comments below. I’m
curious. Tell me why you run or why you want to run. You can even tell me why
you are anxious about beginning running! Let’s talk about it!
Happy Running!
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