10 Reasons Why I Run
My journey with running began as a scrawny middle school student who wanted to join the track team, because all of her friends did. Then, a runner who found her place as a high schooler in cross country and track, having the opportunity to go to state all four years, and run two half marathons. Today, I’m a college student and a bit slower, but have been training for my first marathon. I know running that long—or at all—doesn’t make sense to some, so I compiled a list of the reasons why I run:
1. Running saves lives. As often as people tell me, “If I ran that long I would die,” I have seen how running has saved my life and the lives of others around me. For example, when my high school coach lost his teenage son, he took his emotions to the track. He shared this story with me only once, but I remember him saying that he contemplated ending it all. Eventually, he left the insurance business and dedicated his life to coaching high school track runners like his son was. Without him, I would have never been the runner I am today.
2. Endorphins. As Elle Woods says, “Exercise creates endorphins, and endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husband, they just don’t.” It’s true! If I am in a bad mood, I think about how long it has been since I have run. Whoops, yeah, it’s been a few days.
3. Balance. I never realized how much of an impact running has on me and my life until college. In high school, athletics was a part of your day. In college, it’s all you! Freshman year of college, I was coming off of an injury and a little burnt out from running, so I took a bit of a break. Sophomore year I have stuck to a consistent training schedule—fall semester for a half marathon, and spring semester for a marathon—and I notice the difference. I’m happier both internally and with how I look externally. I also am less stressed. Running is my time to get away and clear my head.
4. Fitness. Obviously, I run to stay fit (aka so I can eat). However, fitness has become a mental thing for me as much as a physical. Knowing I can run a tempo or a certain amount of miles, assures me mentally that I am fit. I may not be the slimmest girl, but knowing my body is strong enough to carry me through a run, makes me love my body.
5. It’s taught me a lot about my faith. Flashbacks to 300 meter repeats on the track come to mind when I think of how running has influenced my faith. I remember how I would tell myself as I rounded the last turn of each, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Friends in high school would wonder how the long distance runners actually did their workouts. Today, I wouldn’t be as impressive in those repeats, but as I approach my first marathon on Saturday, the same verse will be in mind.
6. It’s taught me a lot about my character, too. Most college students probably don’t wake up early 4-5 days a week to run, but I do. I feel worse about myself and my day if I skip a run. The accountability throughout high school is something that has stuck with me in college.
7. Races are fun! Running my fourth half marathon a few months ago in New Orleans, I ran next to a woman who was also from Oklahoma. Races are just full of good energy and interesting people. Every runner there has their own list of reasons, too.
8. Listening to your body. This is something I was stubborn about and struggled with in high school, but I’m thankful for how running has taught me to listen to my body. I know now I need to hydrate and take vitamins. It was running that, yes, most likely caused my anemia in high school, but it was my coach who noticed because of my times. Yes, running has given me stress fractures, hurt knees and multiple trips to physical therapy, but now I know when to pull back as I train on my own.
9. You can do it forever. Okay maybe not forever. However, you won’t always be able to play full-contact football, but I get passed by upwards of 70-year-old men and women all the time at races! I hope and pray I am still kicking it like that when I am older.
10. I’m uncoordinated. Okay, if we are being honest, I may have played another sport if I had more skill, but I found my niche in running.
If you're niche is running, and would like to have a running buddy in NOLA, need inspiration or a workout plan, feel free to let me know. Happy Running!
P.S. I appreciate the prayers for this Saturday as I run my first full marathon!