Run because it's a challenge

I have a love/hate relationship with running. It is a challenge each day to get out of bed and convince myself to get my training in. I always feel great once I’m done but getting that point is a daily battle.

Since Amy started this blog a few months ago, I have been trying to answer the question, ‘What are my reasons to run?’

Over the past few days, I have asked that question of every person that has crossed my path. I thought if I could find why all of my family, friends and coworkers run that I might be able to find my reason.

Dawn Lauti, the Bountiful woman who just finished her second of 12 marathons in a year, said she started running 11 years ago to get back into shape after having her second child. Many of my acquaintances have told me they run because it’s an excellent form of stress relief and good alone time. Many more have cited health reasons. With adult onset diabetes running prominently through my family, my health is definitely a high priority.

But why run? There are so many forms of exercise that could be used to stave off obesity.

I grew up playing basketball and soccer. Running around a court or field has been a part of my daily routine since I was eight years old. But since I graduated from high school, which was also the end of my participation in sports at such a competitive level, I have struggled to find activities that I enjoy as much. That is when my roommate, Janessa, a Ragnar race director, first attempted to talk me into running.

My response: Run? How far? I don’t think so.

I could run sprints for an hour, and that’s something I did regularly around the Taylorsville High gym for four years. But running distance was never something that appealed to me. I wanted a breakaway layup, a 3-pointer, a win if I was going to run that much. Any time I attempted to run past the end line my legs would freeze up and give out from underneath me. It’s like they knew what I was trying to make them do and they rebelled.

But then Janessa ran a marathon and my mom told me she didn’t think I could do it. Of course my mom believes I could reach that goal, but she also knows how very competitive I am and that by simply making that statement she would motivate me to prove her wrong.

That, right there, is my reason to run. The challenge. To simply prove that I can.

I’ve run off and on since that statement three years ago, adamantly insisting that I have no interest in actually running a distance event. Then, impulsively, I signed up for the Hobble Creek Half Marathon in August and proved my mom right–that I would want to prove her wrong. She never said, ‘I told you so’ but she had a smile from ear-to-ear that said it loud and clear.

So here I am, being converted to running by my roommate and my coworkers. And on Monday, I ran my longest distance ever. It was a mere 6.36 miles but I felt like I was on top of the world when I finished.

So please share, what are your reasons for running? Why did you start and what keeps you going?