As a runner I have always struggled to answer the question, “Why do you run?”. It’s a simple question but I did not have an answer to fully satisfy the question. However, as I was running things began to solidify. I began to understand why I am motivated to go out everyday and run. Despite how I feel, I always have the desire to run. All runners have a side of them that strives to reach those personal goals; in the end, the reasons that resonate deep down are what keep a runner loving what they do. Today was one of those days. I decided to run a quick 30 minute run. My intentions were to push every mile and to suffer through the pain. As I was running, certain thoughts and memories would come up that I face in my life today. At points in the run where I was out of breath and could not push it anymore; I would tell myself pain only hurts.

Whether I am filled with anger, happiness, or sadness, running is my outlet. I can use hills as a punching bag, or downhills as a reward. No matter how hard my run is I know there is always an end. As hard as things may be, life always has a way of working out. For those who have asked me this question, here you go, this is why I run. Every runner has his/her own reason to why they run but what unites us all are the challenges and rewards running has to offer. A runner can freely discuss their interest about the lifestyle and there is always a person there who can relate and share the same experience. This here my friend is why I write, I acknowledge there is someone out there who can relate to my running lifestyle.

I have always wondered, Why do you run?