I often get asked many different questions as to why I run, such as, “Why are you a runner?” or “Why do you run so much?” Whenever I get asked these questions, my answer is always the same, “I don’t know, I just love the feeling that I get while I run. I love being able to accomplish things when the mind wants to quit. I love seeing the miles add up, day after day, week after week, month after month.” There truly is no better feeling than finishing a run.

I always think to myself before I answer questions as to why I run before I answer them, even though the answer is always the same. It seems like I am trying to find some deep meaningful answer, and truth is there really isn’t one. I run because I like it. I like how it makes me feel. I love how it clears my mind after a long busy day. I find that tiring myself out, day after day, somewhat relaxing. I like how energized it makes me feel. I love crushing goals, which carries over into every other aspect of my life. I like the lessons that running has taught me like there are so many times that my mind or body wanted to end a run early, but my heart pushed me to go the extra distance. Running has truly been a blessing in my life. So when I answer the question with, “I don’t know, I just love the feeling that I get while I run. I love being able to accomplish things when the mind wants to quit. I love seeing the miles add up, day after day, week after week, month after month.” I really mean it.

Often time, people don’t understand why I run, or why I run long distance, and their usually the first to critique, and say something along the lines of “Oh but running is so bad for your knees or your body.” I personally would like to see some sort of proven research for this. I have seen nothing but positive things about running and the body from various running magazines.

I am guilty of trying to convert everybody I know into runners. I just love running, and I want everybody around me to be able to experience that as well. Running isn’t always about a pace or a distance, but it is more about the sense of accomplishment that you feel afterwards.

I can’t even begin to describe the amount of pride I have after a run. That’s one of the many reasons why I choose to run, day after day. All I do is talk about running, and it's not to be the annoying runner, it's because I just don’t think everybody really understands how beneficial it is. It is definitely true that runners only talk about running. It must be in like the official runners handbook or something.

So the next time I get asked “Why I run?” I will answer with the answer I always answer with, and will still try and convert you into a runner.