"I wish I had been given the 'humans were born to run' spiel when I first started out. As a chubby 13-year-old, I didn't think running was for me. If it were natural, it wouldn't hurt so bad. In my twenties, a difficult breakup led me to find my legs. I ran to clear my head and to regain control. I ran because I didn't want to talk to anyone. Some days it was indisputable — going on a run was the only thing I could do and the only thing I would do.

"About this time, I learned that primitive man ran long distances to chase down prey. We literally outran our food — going for miles until the wild game gave up. I often wondered if my ancestors felt the same instincts: to run for miles, pounding the dirt, accelerating on an uphill sprint just because it felt right. Turns out, they did. Running is as much a human condition as heartbreak is."

—Ryan (26), Runner, Lover, Human Being