Last Wednesday was National Running Day...so of course it is natural for me to post about it a week later! National Running Day is a day that runners coast-to-coast celebrate their passion for running. Justin and I celebrated with a rainy 5 mile run in downtown Pittsburgh.
Since Justin is only here one week a month, I usually run by myself. This means I have 3-5 miles worth of time to think
about things. My brain usually bounces all over the place when I’m running…from
what I’m eating for dinner to how I would spend my money if I won the lottery.
Sometimes I write speeches and sometimes I come up with witty comebacks that
would have worked in a conversation I had 3 days ago.
A few weeks back, I started thinking about WHY I RUN and the
answer I put on the banner at the KY Derby Runner’s Expo. I had one answer at
the Expo but by the time I finished my run that day, I had quite a few reasons
why I run.
I asked my Facebook & Twitter friends why they ran. Here are some
of their answers:
The
reason for running has changed throughout the years, from wanting to compete
for my school, fitness and weight management, competing as an individual, etc -
but I always come back to the sense of accomplishment...although now I love
doing it to get some quiet time away from home!! – Kari C.
Because
my wife, Kari C, makes me. - Phil C.
So
I’m not a fat ass. – Jess L.
I
like pain A LOT. I also like it because it's the only place where it's socially
acceptable to "farmer blow" your nose and no one thinks anything of
it! – Matt O.
To
have some me time…to challenge myself…to enjoy my ice cream more. – Abby V.
Because
who knows. Something may be chasing you one day. And it would be nice to be
fast in that moment. – Brian B.
I started running right after college because I was
depressed. I wasn't in college anymore and bored out of my mind. I also wanted
to see if I could be more naturally competitive if I competed against myself,
since I never really was when I played team sports in HS. – Karen E.
Because I wasn't good at any other sport! - Nathan S.
I
run because it's the only thing left to do after the swim and bike! But
seriously, I run because I
want to (not because it's on my training schedule), I think I do it because running
ignites ALL of the senses. –
Justin R.
So tell me: Why do YOU run?
Did you participate in National Running Day?
