Nov8
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I don’t generally celebrate made-up holidays but I am ALL IN for National Running Day! It’s basically my personal holiday. To celebrate, I’m going on a fun casual run tonight with some friends, followed by a picnic catered by one of my favorite restaurants (Village Juice) at one of my favorite downtown Winston-Salem spots (Bailey Park).
I found this post in my archives and thought it was worthy of re-sharing since all of these things are still so true — maybe even more so. What’s not true anymore? Running in Vibrams, like you see in the picture below! So funny to think I ran in those for 5+ years! (Here’s why I started running in them and here’s why I stopped.)
10 Reasons to Love Running
10. It’s when I feel the most me. People often ask me how I stay motivated to run and while there are definitely days I procrastinate getting out the door, running more about a lifestyle than it is something I check off my to-do’s. I don’t feel like myself if I go too long without running.
9. The way it helps me think through problems.
8. The way it helps me think about nothing at all.
7. The way I feel after a REALLY GREAT run. And even better is the feeling after a REALLY GREAT run that you almost skipped.
6. Experiencing and appreciating mornings. I love morning time–hands down my favorite time of day. I used to be an evening runner and have transitioned to an AM runner since moving to Winston-Salem nearly 11 years ago, and I love running in the mornings, particularly outside. (Well, unless it’s freezing cold!) I love the quiet streets and the morning light. I love starting my day with fresh air. Experiencing early mornings create such a peaceful start to my day, and I wouldn’t experience that nearly as much if it weren’t for running.
5. Pushing my body past its limits and learning what it’s capable of. I never ever thought I’d run a half marathon below 1:55, so I still get giddy thinking about my current PR (1:31). I never thought my body could move to the tune of a 7 minute pace and I did repeats yesterday in the low 6s. The body is an amazing thing and capable of so much. (Here are my tips to run faster, if that’s one of your goals!)
4. Seeing other’s accomplishments. I love running races with friends and loved ones and even strangers and seeing their faces after a race. (Well, damn, I didn’t realize I loved it that much, but I’m getting teary picturing my mom finishing her first marathon and thinking about running the BolderBoulder 10K with my husband!) Whether you call yourself “fast” or “slow” or a “mid-packer” you got out there and pushed yourself. And there is something so awesome about that.
3. All the friends and acquaintances I’ve made through running. Seriously, nearly all of my friends in Winston-Salem have been made through running. And it’s an instant bonding topic no matter where you go. “Oh you’re a runner? Me too!”
2. The friendships that have grown closer as a result of running together. Some of my very best friendships were formed over runs. There’s something hard to describe about running friendships…but for me, I become a bit more vulnerable and open and talk about things I normally wouldn’t talk about.
1. The fact that I’m still a runner even on days I don’t run. 🙂
What do you love about being a runner?
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- My running watch, why I love it and why I haven’t upgraded
- 5 things to make summer running a little better
If you are interested in running for the first time, check out my “running 101” guide for beginners e-book!
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18 responses to “10 Reasons to Love Running”
I love this list – happy National Running Day 🙂 I love the sense of accomplishment I get from running. Even if it’s just a run with a few seconds faster pace than normal. I know exactly what you mean about feeling great after a great run!
I agree – the sense of accomplishment, even for tiny improvements in pace, is huge!
Great list! I really love having that time to catch up with friends on social runs. And so much better for us than the usual talking over dinner or a beer!
AMEN! But the best is a run followed by a beer. 😉
The strong feeling when you finish, the de-stressing!
My friend and I also skipped our morning run since it was pouring here in Boston only to find out it’s National Runners Day an hour ago. Ha!
Glad it wasn’t just me! Happy National Running Day regardless! 🙂 Part of running is rest, right? 🙂
Yup the way it makes me feel for sure!!! I think because it wasn’t and isn’t particularly easy for me I feel very accomplished every day!
I feel the same way. I’m not naturally fast and it doesn’t always feel effortless. I put in a lot of time and hard work to make improvements!
I didn’t know you were 5’1″! That’s how tall I am too so I can totally relate about the easy weight gain. I love running because it helps me clear my mind!
Yep! Shorty here! And seriously, it’s so unfair being short; we get like half the calorie burn of taller people! 🙂 (But I really do love being short.)
These are great! I liked the one about how you’re still a runner even when you don’t run- I’m trying to take it easy this week in fear of an injury and even though I’m not running today, I know I’m still a runner 🙂
Ugh so sorry about your injury. Get well soon!
i really love this post :’) it made me smile inside
aw yay!
It is like you took the words right out of my head. I wanted to answer your question on my favorite part about running, but then I had such an internal debate about a “favorite” that I almost felt like I needed to go for a run just to sort it all out and come up with an answer. Mostly it is ditto to everything you said, but also that my husband and family all know that if I am getting cranky sending me out for a run will usually help fix it.
I love this post! Especially #1!
I totally agree on the way that running helps us think deeply, and sometimes about nothing at all….so strange how that works, really. And I’m really hoping I’ll make friendships through fitness more from now on. I do have that in the blogworld, but haven’t been able to meet people who think like me (in person).