Why I Love Running

Running is one of the most inclusive, welcoming sports. 

There’s no fancy equipment necessary, you can get by with the bare minimum of cost for running gear – you just need to head outside and begin. Maybe it’s the endorphins from aerobic exercise, but in my experience runners are one of the friendliest, kindest groups of people. And runners love to initiate new members of the tribe. We want others to experience the same joy we get from running.

Running has been a great teacher for me.

I’ve learned how to listen to my body and pay attention to how it moves, feels, when I’m ‘good’ hurting, or ‘bad’ hurting. I’ve gotten to the point where I can guess my pace, I can guess my heart rate and I’m always pretty close. I’ve learned I am capable of more than I imagined. I’ve learned patience (nothing like having to recover from an injury to teach a little humility and patience!).

Running has introduced me to new friends and strengthened relationships.

I don’t know what it is about being out on a run with someone, but you seem to open up more, to talk about what’s important to you, to seek advice and to listen, really listen, to your running partner. I’ve formed lasting friendships just through going for a run with someone. Running with a friend has often led to talking something through we may not have brought up if we weren’t out pushing ourselves physically.

Running has been a source of endless inspiration and awe.

Running the NYRR’s Achilles Foundation annual run is an experience I’ll never forget. No matter how hard it feels, no matter what kind of a race you’re running, looking up and seeing a runner go by on prosthetics inspires you. Runners raising thousands of dollars for charity is inspiring. A little thing, like feeling crappy during a race and hearing one of your fellow runners saying, “Hang in there! You can do it!” is inspiring. A big thing, like being by my husband’s side as he completed a half marathon 5 months after recovering from a coma, is awe-inspiring.

Running kept me healthy, happy and fit during my pregnancy.  

I kept running for as long as it felt comfortable (up to about 37 weeks). When I ran, I felt so connected to my growing little bundle of joy. It kept my stress levels down and made me feel good that I was doing something for my baby’s health as well as mine.

Running is my stress relief.

Running is my ‘me time’.

Running helps me think, solve problems, brainstorm.

Running keeps my heart strong, my weight steady, my muscles lean.

Most of all, I love how runners come together to show support for victims of senseless tragedies like the Boston Marathon bombing. Watching the stream of tweets in my twitter feed from fellow runners about charity efforts, organized runs for support of The One Fund to raise money for the victims and their families, about ways of showing their support has been heartening.

There may be evil in this world, 

but there are many, many more amazing, good people. 

I went out running with a friend on Saturday, then continued on for a couple more miles with my sleeping son in his stroller. It felt so good to push myself, the sun was shining, I felt healthy and strong. And I thought to myself,

I LOVE RUNNING.