As a college student, I do not know many other students who exercise for fun, but I love everything about exercise. It’s my way of destressing, and with the obscene amounts of studying I have to do, exercise is one of the very few things that I feel I have complete control over.

I am also willing to try about any type of exercise. Back in high school, I faithfully swam and ran almost every day before I returned home to do strength training, pilates, and yoga. I loved all of it, except for running.

I hate running, but at the same time, I could not be more thankful for what running means to me. Running means that I have the ability to overcome obstacles in my past because I have always hated running, but I am willing to look past that. Running isn’t actually about running.

Running represents determination and ability to work hard. In a way, the sport has shaped my character. I have never believed in giving up, but running has reinforced it in my mind. Running has taught me to work hard for myself because it’s no secret that I’m not actually any good at running.

Running has taught me to love where I am and what I am capable of, even though where I am is far from perfect.

If you like running too, check out this amazing article by Maddi Burns about 10 Reasons Why She Loves Running and You Should Too.