I am on mile 2 of my run, huffing and puffing. My thighs are losing energy and my feet are feeling heavy. It still seems forever before I finish today’s run and my mind just wants me to stop.
Now I wonder, why should I continue running?
A question I still ask myself often, and a question many of my friends have asked me. I used to come up with reasons on the spot but never structured.
To solve this question once and for all, I decided to write down all the reasons I can come up with as a reminder every time I am questioned.
So here you go, the 9 reasons I summarized over time for you and I to persuade ourselves and our friends to continue each run.
1. It is Our Human Nature to Run
Humans have survived in nature for the past 300,000+ years along with fierce animals. With our weak combat abilities and slow sprint speed compared to other species, we should be physically defeated and extinct by now.
But here we are, dominating the animal kingdom.
Some studies have suggested that humans can physically beat all animals by our endurance running capability. In fact, few animals can compete with humans for a 5km run. This might explain how our species survived.
The arches in our feet give us spring when we run.
The bulk glutes by our butt offer little use to us until they are used intensively for running.
The sweat glands that fill our body provide us an excellent method for reducing body heat when we run.
Even our heads are designed with a large ligament that dampens its oscillation when we run.
Running may be the one gift that sets human beings physically apart from other animals. It is an ability that humans are good at.
It is our destiny and responsibility to keep this ability alive in our genes, so keep running.
2. For a Healthier Body
I have had periods in my life without running. My lungs feel breathless and my muscles feel weak. It does not feel good. I feel limited in my ability to move. My body owned me.
After incorporating running into my life, I feel a better connection with the muscles throughout my body, and I won’t run out of breath from walking a flight of stairs. Now I own my body.
There are many ways that running makes your body healthier. From losing your extra weight to living longer, from strengthening your muscles to improving your skin. Running also strengthens your heart and reduce your blood pressure.
The most beneficial part of running I get is that I have been getting sick significantly less. One less doctor visit and one extra healthy active day is already worth the trouble of running.
3. For a Healthier Mind
Do you feel better of yourself on a day you went for a run compared to a day without a run? The famous endorphin boost from running gives us a runner’s high. But just the running itself can ease our anxiety which can make us happier.
It also seems like there is more and more stress in our daily lives. Apparently, studies show that exercising is a good way for stress relief (as long as we don’t stress about the exercising itself).
Some studies claim that running is good for our memory. I have yet to test that but I hope it is true. Alzheimer’s disease is a real threat that I wish to avoid.
4. To Gain a Sense of Achievement
I started running quite late in life and I knew I would never be as competitive as the athletes that started their training when they were a child. I did not expect to be on an Olympics podium or break any world records.
However, I can still feel accomplished.
Running is one of those activities where most would agree that your biggest enemy is yourself. Whenever you perform better than yourself yesterday, you have won. It’s as simple as completing a tough training run.
I once thought marathoners were insane, until I signed up for one. I worked hard and trained, and surprisingly completed my first marathon. It was a sense of achievement that kept me going in my personal and professional life for the next few months.
Then I built a bucket list – qualify for Boston Marathon, run in the Boston Marathon, run a 50km, run a 100km… As I checked these items off one by one in the past 3 years, I know I did something with my life. I am alive.
5. To Get Some Alone Time
Running is alone time that lets my brain unspool the tangles that build up over days. I run, pound it out on the pavement, channel that energy into my legs, and when I’m done with my run, I’m done with it.
Rob Haneisen, runner
There are times when humans are the worst and life sucks, and you just want to get away from all of it. Instead of sitting alone in your room, go out and run!
You don’t need to run with anyone. You can run wherever you like and as hard as you want.
Go somewhere quiet or somewhere that you can immerse yourself in nature, far from people, to get some peace for yourself.
Or go somewhere for a change that can stimulate you for creativity and inspiration.
Run your breath away so you get hints of euphoria and a boost of endorphins to improve your mood as well.
6. To Be Social
I don’t have much confidence about my speaking, and I occasionally get anxiety in forced social settings.
Putting me in a bar to socially speak with random strangers is stressful. Placing me in a friend’s home is terrifying until someone else takes charge in bringing up topics.
Running is great because I can run in a group, not talk, and that’s completely fine. There’s a good long warm up period before I want to talk. And there are always topics about running which I can break the ice with – have you run this route before? What competition are you planning to sign up for?
For the social butterflies out there, running groups are also a great place to meet new friends with similar interests. There’s usually a running group in your neighborhood that meets up regularly. Just Google “[Your neighborhood] Running Group/Club” and join them. I have even been in multiple groups that go for a drink after their run. Those are lots of fun.
There are also a variety of team running events. I have participated in a team ultramarathon (Oxfam Trailwalker with teams of 4 completing 100km together), and some team relays (Ragnar with teams of 12 completing 200miles in a relay format).
Running has provided great reasons to meet new people, form a community, and create a bond with others, whether we are competing for the same goal or giving each other support.
Innovating forms of virtual social running event are also being created, check out the 4x4x48 challenge recorded by Billy Yang, one of my favorite Youtubers.
Running can fulfil your social needs. It can also strengthen relationships and become the source of some of your lifelong friends.
7. Get Somewhere
Even with the invention of cars and ferries and aircraft, there are places that can only be reached by foot. A 30-minute run out my home can take me to the peak of a nearby hill with panoramic views which no vehicle can get to.
When I travel, running can take me to scenic spots only reachable by foot. When you have limited time as a tourist in a city, running can also compress the time needed to check off landmarks. A 10km run around Paris will take you through most of the tourist attractions.
Running also gives you a comparable perspective when traveling to different cities. It is through running when I realize that I can fit London from Hyde Park to the Tower Bridge all inside the distance between Santa Monica, CA and Los Angeles downtown.
Running also gives you a chance to appreciate your own area. Beau Miles made a good YouTube documentary of how he ran an abandoned railway line and got new appreciation of the history of his neighborhood.
Stay running fit for traveling. Not only can you save a few bucks on public transportation, you can also experience new sensations in the community you are traveling in.
8. It is Cheap and Easy
Running is beginner friendly. All you really need is a pair of shoes and off you go. Compared with other forms of exercises, you don’t need to bring heavy gear, you don’t need a companion, and you don’t need a membership.
Replace your next movie with a 2-hour run that includes live 3D sensations of nature. Replace your next rooftop bar visit with a run to the local viewpoint.
Stay fit and have access to this cheap and easy form of healthy entertainment.
9. For Charity
Running is not a selfish sport. Running can be giving. If you really need non-selfish reasons to run, this is it.
Many races around the world cooperate with charities, so every mile you run can help someone in need. The TCS New York Marathon has raised more than $350 million for thousands of charities since 2006.
In your next race, look for options to support charity. Alternatively, there are charities that blend your daily running into charity giving. For example, Charity Miles allows you to support your favorite charity by logging your miles.
There’s usually some way to blend giving with running. If running for charity gives you the motivation and meaning to run, I applaud you.
Conclusion
Now, I can keep these reasons on the back of my mind, and answer anyone (including myself) that asks me why I run. A few tough miles is worth it at the end of the day, and a good enough reminder to get my butt off the couch.
Have these reasons convinced you to run?
Are these good enough reasons to convince your friends to join you in a run?
What other reasons would you use to keep you running?
Comment below, I’d love to know!
If you want to know how to start running. Read How to Become a Runner.
