When I tell people that I get up at 6:00 in the morning to go for a run they give me one of two different looks. Most of the time I get the ‘you’re crazy’ response from people. Other times I find myself in the presence of a fellow runner who can relate. When faced with someone who exclaims I’m crazy for a) getting up at that ungodly hour, and b) willingly running 4 miles a day I end up ranting for what seems like ages about why I am definitely not crazy, well not that crazy. I ran cross country in high school, and I will admit that it takes a certain type of crazy to run mile repeats voluntarily or to subject yourself to the torture of a day of 400 meter sprints; but, for some reason you just keep showing up to practice day after day. I will be running a half marathon this Sunday, and as I stood in line to pick up my race packet the other day I overheard a conversation two people in front of me were having. They were going back and forth listing off the reasons for why they run. The list had things like: because I like to eat food, because I like to be healthy, because I genuinely like to run, so on and so forth. I couldn’t help but laugh when they mentioned the food (because same) and it got me thinking about why I run, so I decided to compile the following list:

I run because it keeps me in shape. To me being physically fit is important and when I feel fit I feel confident.

I run because it gives me an escape. We live in a crazy world, and sometimes you just need to a step back and be with your thoughts. When life gets overwhelming, I turn to running as my source of relief.

I run because it wakes me up. Listen, I am totally a morning person, but 6am is still early. When I have classes at 8:30 nearly every day, it is important that I am alert and ready to learn, to the best of my ability.

I run because I like to know my surroundings. There is no better way to figure out where you are and what your surrounding is like than running. In a car you don’t realize the street you’re on is going up hill, on your feet...trust me, you notice. You feel a sense of ownership and comfort in your location.

I run because others can’t. I am grateful every day that I get to wake up and go for a run, because I know people who would do anything to be able to walk, much less run. It inspires me when I hear stories of family members pushing a loved one in a stroller or wheelchair for a whole marathon.

This list will expand as my life goes on, and it’s is unique to me;but, I want to encourage everyone to take a step back and think about why they do what they do. It doesn’t have to be running, it can be anything from bird watching to gardening; but, it is always important to take some time to reflect.