Why Do I Run?

Every time I tell someone "I like to run" the response I get is usually one of confusion. This response is completely justified since everyone knows running is not fun, especially in the summer time.

Growing up, I always admired endurance athletes. I thought it was amazing that someone could run 26.2 miles continuously. What is truly stunning is ultra marathoners, like Dean Karnazes, that run hundreds of miles on end without stopping.

Lance Armstrong was another hero of mine, although not now because everyone knows he was a fraud (this whole topic is for another time).

These athletes caught my eye more than a Lebron James or Peyton Manning. Lebron and Manning certainly have an amazing amount of talent but what impresses me about endurance athletes is the mental will and discipline it takes to reach that level of condition.

When I reached middle school, I jumped on the opportunity to join track with a push from my parents. I wanted to aspire to be something great, to be in the best shape of my life. With that in mind, I pushed myself as hard as I could.

I found something that I was decent at and more importantly that I enjoyed. 

Aspiring to become an athlete of endurance physically and mentally was the reason I started running. I still run because I discovered it gave me great personal satisfaction.

A philosophy of mine (one that my father taught me) is that God made humans in a way that by putting in hard work, 99 percent of the time good comes out of it. It's like His reward system.

After I complete a hard workout successfully, whether its running, swimming, biking, I get a feeling of euphoria like no other. A lot of people know this as "runner's high". Yes, it is a real thing.

Who needs drugs when you can get high naturally? Seriously!

Along with attaining "runner's high", the main thing I get out of running is personal achievement, knowing I've done something of use for the day and also knowing I'm only benefiting my body.

I cannot imagine what my life would be like if I never took up running. It is my personal escape and always will be (at least I hope so).

Just to tie this in with Christ, since He is at the forefront of my life, here is one of my favorite bible versus that relates to running, metaphorically of course.

"Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us." Hebrews 12:1