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Why Do I Run?

Posted in Feature Story by Free Memberchduncan100

When I first started, I ran outside with my daughter. Or she ran. I chugged. At the beginning of each run, one of us would always ask, “Why are we doing this? Whose idea was this anyway?” Okay, probably I asked. She ran.
But it became a habit. After my daughter moved away, I still ran. But I found myself still asking why. Learning to answer myself was what kept me running.
I run because:
I want to get to the top of that high hill and see what’s beyond.
Because it’s a beautiful spring day and I want to see what flowers are blooming on the greenbelt.
I need to wake up. Before I get to work.
Some of the bills are coming due before any of the money is
The kids are trying to get my Irish up. Again.
To Pray
To have time with a special honey. (I still run with my daughter on holidays.)
To have time alone.
Because it’s been snowing for days and cabin fever is setting.in.
Because Mom had osteoporosis and I don’t want it. Weight bearing exercise helps build bone.
For Weight control
To reduce cholestrerol and triglycerides.
To see if I run this route faster than I did last time.
Because it’s fall and I want to feel the crisp crunch of fallen leaves under my shoes, just like when I was a kid.
Because I had way too many cups of coffee and I need to get rid of the wired feeling.
To work off that cheeseburger, potato chips, or double fudge brownie.
d@mned I know why. It’s summer and way too hot to run
Because the boss expects the impossible
Because (Insert Name here) IS impossible
Because I want to.
Why do You run?


Comments (42)

undefeatedccrunner Free Memberundefeatedccrunner wrote on 12/01/2008:
I run for who i am.
im a runner thats what i do and no one can take that from me.

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treetop1500 Free Membertreetop1500 wrote on 12/01/2008:
I run for my boys. I want to be around as long as I can to watch them grow. Like someone else said, they think I'm nuts when I tell them how far I go, but I just smile... I want them to grow up inspired by a dad who takes care of himself mentally and physically.
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eaglegolf74 Free Membereaglegolf74 wrote on 11/30/2008:
I run because likr all runners our daily routine taps into our inner warrior,the ego that doesnt surrender.Besides that it is addictive and surely gives a calm relaxed feeling when done,no matter how long you run for,that endorphine feeling is a great reward.I have a history in my family of bad hearts and this one in my body will be strong tested and true,So far the cholesterol and triglicerides are all well and also look great too,there arent any downsides except taking one day at least to rest!!!
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ChrisB Free MemberChrisB wrote on 11/30/2008:
I run for ME. I finally have "found" myself.
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mrbuz Free Membermrbuz wrote on 11/27/2008:
I run so that I can feel like a winner every day. Running is the one thing that I can control. I run so that I can feel physically fit every day for the rest of my life.
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Scott46 Hero!!Scott46 wrote on 11/26/2008:
I started running to get back in shape and challenge myself. Over 25 years ago I ran all through high school competing in cross country and track. On Thanksgiving I will run my first 5 mile road race...what a great accomplishment to have lost 41 pounds since Feb 26th, complete a Century ride in Spetember, and training for my first Triatholon next spring. I run because it keeps me sane.
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cemerson5521 Free Membercemerson5521 wrote on 11/23/2008:
Great post! I run to lose weight and get in shape. I run because it is the only time I feel like an athlete again.
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AliArmstrong Hero!!AliArmstrong wrote on 11/20/2008:
I run for me. I run so my girls don't have a grumpy mum. I run to clear my head and make me feel proud of me. I run to challenge myself to go a little farther overtime. I run because I love how it make me feel, during (often), after (always). I run to someday inspire my girls to run when they are bigger.
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emtmdaddy Free Memberemtmdaddy wrote on 11/17/2008:
Everything in life is so subjective. Am I doing a good job at work? As a parent? But out on the streets, it's real. It's objective, you can measure it out on a map and log it and it's done. And the way it makes me feel afterward, I can breathe better, my head is clearer. Now my kids are getting into it! So I hope that it is something we will do together for a long time!
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lindz779 Free Memberlindz779 wrote on 11/16/2008:
I started running because my best friend was 5 1/2 months pregnant and still running 5k races. She was motivation to start running and motivates me to continue on. I keep running to stay healthy, eat better, and continue to be a non-smoker. If I run, I continue to live a better life.
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trex Free Membertrex wrote on 11/12/2008:
On the outside I run to stay in shape for the Marine Corps.
On the Inside I run because it make my day feel complete.
I like the emptiness in my head when I'm cooling down and stretching. I like going to bed like I earned it, and waking up feeling like I've did something benficial the day before.

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bekahboo1423 Free Memberbekahboo1423 wrote on 11/08/2008:
I run because because I love it when you can tell how much all that hard work has paid off.
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tseitzinger Free Membertseitzinger wrote on 11/07/2008:
I run because I thought I was too fat and lazy to be a runner. I love it and it becomes an addiction. I love telling my kids I ran 3 miles today, they just stare at me like I'm crazy. I am crazy for running.
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cambrinus Free Membercambrinus wrote on 11/06/2008:
I run because it makes my head empty.
The long easy runs are my favorites.

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swk Free Memberswk wrote on 11/06/2008:
Because its my time and i can't be interupted unless you can catch me!!
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jen Free Memberjen wrote on 11/06/2008:
run to feel good
feel that i am tough
that i can take on the world
because i ran


I RAN!!!

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MauriceM Free MemberMauriceM wrote on 11/02/2008:
I run to stay fit and healthy for as long as is humanly possible and after that I will try even harder. I like the personal challenge and the benefits associated with keeping fit.
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runningchef99 Free Memberrunningchef99 wrote on 11/01/2008:
i run because i can; because my cousin in a wheelchair cannot; because i feel great; because i love my family; because i feel alive[even when the pain is there!]; because running gives me a reason to; because i want to set an example for my kids - if i can, anyone can! because of the sense of accomplishment and pride; because i LOVE IT!!!!:-}}}
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vanessa-dv Free Membervanessa-dv wrote on 11/01/2008:
My English isn't very good...but I will do my best :

For some time to myself ...
I love my kids, buts it feels great to go for a run en clear my head ! To release the stress from work...
To prove to myself : I can do this, me ... that girl that didn't want to exercise any sport when I was a kid (my dad nagged and nagged cause he was a runner)... And know I run !!!
In the hope that I would lose some weight, but I don't, but maby my shape changes?
Because I like running

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flipmouse Free Memberflipmouse wrote on 10/27/2008:
I run to support a healthy perspective on life...

to turn pressures into paper tigers
to reaffirm my priorities
to stand against the status quo
to make room for joy
to be alive being me.

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madalice Free Membermadalice wrote on 10/26/2008:
Because I CANT but if I keep trying I will manage some day !hee hee
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valwee Free Membervalwee wrote on 10/25/2008:
I run because it makes me feel good..no...great about myself.
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CHIOCHON Free MemberCHIOCHON wrote on 10/20/2008:
I run to prove to myself I am still an athlete. I run to be a positive influence on my children. I run for those few day out of the month that I feel I could run forever, I love those days.

We all think about this as we run, it's amazing how powerful it is when we write them down.

Zoom....

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franco2 Free Memberfranco2 wrote on 10/20/2008:
I run because i find it the purest form of self discipline,it is only you and the road plus it gives quality time to your body and mind
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oliviadeluca Free Memberoliviadeluca wrote on 10/08/2008:
...because afterwards my body feels loose after a tense day...
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runnerdude45 Free Memberrunnerdude45 wrote on 10/07/2008:
To push myself to the limit...then push myself even more.
To run faster every time i race.
For that feeling that you are on top of the world when you win a race.
Just because i love it.

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chelle4282 Free Memberchelle4282 wrote on 10/05/2008:
All the stresses and problems in life fall away when I run.
I feel much more relaxed and in control of my life when I finish a good run.

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gloorr Free Membergloorr wrote on 10/01/2008:
because I can! great story
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abnana25 Free Memberabnana25 wrote on 09/23/2008:
Because it makes my life better
To see how far I can push myself
To find the happiness in the struggle
To escape, relax, be alone
To discover who I am
To be the best runner I can be
The thrill of racing and winning
Because it makes me happy :)

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albert1982 Free Memberalbert1982 wrote on 09/23/2008:
because its challenging
because i like to feel that burning in my legs.
to work off all the food i love to eat
because i love running, its in our blood.

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RobinSW@gmail.com Free MemberRobinSW@gmail.com wrote on 09/21/2008:
To feel good! That exercise high blows the doors off your worries and stresses, doesn't it? ;D

Because it makes you feel like you're dancing over the earth instead of trudging...

Great idea, to think about and list Why you run!

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david_crz Free Memberdavid_crz wrote on 09/19/2008:
Why not run?
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hazza40 Free Memberhazza40 wrote on 09/13/2008:
I run for me.Pure and simple.
To clear my head and think of nothing.
To feel the elation of finishing a race.

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barbphoto Free Memberbarbphoto wrote on 06/25/2008:
I run for some very similar reasons, because I feel like a million dollars at the end. Its a great way to be with friends that enjoy to be and stay fit or get back in shape...to refresh and shake my heart and soul of life stress...to be stronger and see how amazing is the world around us. It feels so good afterwards!
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DebraD Free MemberDebraD wrote on 06/23/2008:
I run for all those reasons too. Plus, because I CAN run. I've only been doing this for a few years, a lot of people my age have long given up but I was a late starter. I'm not giving up until my body can't hack it any more.
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funrider Free Memberfunrider wrote on 06/23/2008:
I run as it helps me digest my food
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funrider Free Memberfunrider wrote on 06/23/2008:
I run to reduce weight.. it helps in digestion too
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jake_Whitley Free Memberjake_Whitley wrote on 06/23/2008:
Hi, from Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK. Nice and inspiring post. I've been reading alot into the psychology of activities like running as i sometimes find it hard to keep it going/run that extra few miles. Your post will come in handy :-)
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Sarah Free MemberSarah wrote on 06/20/2008:
I ask myself this question all the time. I run because I can, and thousands others can't. I run becuase I tell myself it is only a few minutes or hours of my life that I have to do it and the faster I run the sooner it will be over. I run because I find it a challenge and when I get to the rare stage where for a few minutes I am not struggling, not huffing and puffing and not feeling like I want to give up, I feel strong, alive and healthy. I run to be fitter and to look fit!
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luvs2run1 Free Memberluvs2run1 wrote on 06/12/2008:
Really Awesome reasons to run! I run when to think, and to get in shape!
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Hodag Free MemberHodag wrote on 06/10/2008:
ALL great reasons to run!! I run to clear my mind. I know how alive I am when I run!!
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nina! Free Membernina! wrote on 06/02/2008:
Awesome:) I love it.
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