What motivates you to run?

Question

We are all motivated in different ways to run. Some run to stay fit. Some run because they like to push themselves to accomplish something that they never thought they could do. Others just run for the heck of it. What gets you out of bed or off the couch to run?

Answer 1

Mmm,an interesting question.I have been running for the last 20 years and did so even today in the early morning before going to work.Why?I find running one of the most enjoyable natural undertakings to do.It gives one the sense of freedom,the feeling of oneness with All of Life,and a sense of peace with everything.If one can recall the childhood memories of just running after friends chasing one another,chasing birds,butterflies,running in the rains as a child without caring a thing etc.
Then as we grow there are the healthy aspects to consider about the body image since running is one of best cardiovascular activity one can undertake.Running gets the body to adjust to its most natural weight and apart from tonning the body.
Another thing that running does to me is it helps me connect to my Inner Spirit.As one focuses on the rythm of the run ,one is able to raise the feelings of the body to a very high level such that one might end up feeling like running forever.Ever heard of the natural high ?Its the secretion of the endorphins caused by that good feeling of running.
As for me,I'II just say I LOVE RUNNING for the sake of it and the naturality of freedom to all who embrace it.

Thank you.

Answer 2

I have to admit I've been pretty lazy and sometimes I just hate it... All that self-discipline I had is gone. I've officially joined the ranks of the lazy majority. Sure, occassionally I will muster up the gall to get my butt away from the computer screen and out the door, but then halfway into it I realize what used to be an effortless 3 mile warm-up is now so difficult. I know what it takes to start up again, but it is embarrassing how out of shape I've gotten that it's made it even more difficult. I know it's a mental thing, but I am just tired after work. I just need to get that energy back and spend less time sitting here but it's easier said than done. ;) I also run to push myself. I have a younger sister that runs marathons. I have always thought that it is an awesome feat to do. She told me not too long ago that if I put myself to it, I can do the same. I didn't believe her, but decided to give it a try. I have since run 3 half marathons here in the U.S. and a marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am actually now starting to train for a 2 half marathons this coming Fall. Running has now become an obsession.

Answer 3

All that self-discipline I had is gone. I've officially joined the ranks of the lazy majority. Sure, occassionally I will muster up the gall to get my butt away from the computer screen and out the door, but then halfway into it I realize what used to be an effortless 3 mile warm-up is now so difficult. I know what it takes to start up again, but it is embarrassing how out of shape I've gotten that it's made it even more difficult. I know it's a mental thing, but I am just tired after work. I just need to get that energy back and spend less time sitting here but it's easier said than done. ;) I also run to push myself. I have a younger sister that runs marathons. I have always thought that it is an awesome feat to do. She told me not too long ago that if I put myself to it, I can do the same. I didn't believe her, but decided to give it a try. I have since run 3 half marathons here in the U.S. and a marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am actually now starting to train for a 2 half marathons this coming Fall. Running has now become an obsession.

Answer 4

Sure, occassionally I will muster up the gall to get my butt away from the computer screen and out the door, but then halfway into it I realize what used to be an effortless 3 mile warm-up is now so difficult. I know what it takes to start up again, but it is embarrassing how out of shape I've gotten that it's made it even more difficult. I know it's a mental thing, but I am just tired after work. I just need to get that energy back and spend less time sitting here but it's easier said than done. ;) I also run to push myself. I have a younger sister that runs marathons. I have always thought that it is an awesome feat to do. She told me not too long ago that if I put myself to it, I can do the same. I didn't believe her, but decided to give it a try. I have since run 3 half marathons here in the U.S. and a marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am actually now starting to train for a 2 half marathons this coming Fall. Running has now become an obsession.

Answer 5

Here are my top 10 reasons of "what motivates me to run":
Yes, it's true, I run to:
10 Stay fit
9 Have a sense of accomplishment
8 Just get out, I run just because it's a habit.
However, I also run for the following reasons:
7 Socialize: running is a great thing to do in groups
6 I like to "run away" from the developed world we live in. I get a kick out of all the people I see running when I'm driving around in the city. I used to work at a place where there was an open air counter to customers. When it was busy, we wiped a visible layer of soot from pollution off the counter a few times every hour. That just can't be good for you if you're running in it!!!!!!! Running in a rural setting beats running in the city any day.
5 Running helps clear the mind. 'Nuf said
4 Running along a scenic vista: priceless
3 Running to lose those Haagan Daas calories faster
And some more humourous (or maybe not so humorous) reasons to run:
2 Being chased
1 To get to the David Letterman show to give them my top ten reasons to run.

Answer 6

I'm just 13, so most people my age don't really do the running thing. I've been running since I was 5 years old, so it really just comes as a habit to me. However, I think that to keep yourself motivated, the most important thing is to keep it fun. You don't have to run 10 miles a day to be fit. Yeah I throw in a few 5 milers every now and then to keep my fitness up, but in addition to the long slow stuff, I find it fun some days to just run a mile at a faster pace. It's over before you know it, and it's way more fun.
Another thing that motivates me is the stress relief. Whenever I get angry with a friend, or one of my parents, lacing up my shoes and pounding out my anger on the pavement is really refreshing and I almost always come back feeling better than I did before. It's of benefit to other people too. Like sometimes, I refuse to talk about a problem until I go for a run to calm myself down. I think this prevents me from screaming my head off at whoever I'm mad at.
However you motivate yourself, running is just so amazing and has really changed my life.

Answer 7

Wow this is a really good question and I'm really glad I stumbled over it. I used to run a lot but not so much any more. But I absolutely loved running. It was just a wonderful feeling running and I loved running in the night when I could look up at the stars! I guess what motivated me the most when I was running was just the sense of accomplishment I would feel after I got my mile down to a faster time. Also I enjoyed running with my dad, who has ran in tons of marathons and has already done 2 this year alone. He's 45 and I really look up to him. I hope that I can get back into running cause it's such a great way to relax! As silly as it sounds! :)

Answer 8

I know what it takes to start up again, but it is embarrassing how out of shape I've gotten that it's made it even more difficult. I know it's a mental thing, but I am just tired after work. I just need to get that energy back and spend less time sitting here but it's easier said than done. ;) I also run to push myself. I have a younger sister that runs marathons. I have always thought that it is an awesome feat to do. She told me not too long ago that if I put myself to it, I can do the same. I didn't believe her, but decided to give it a try. I have since run 3 half marathons here in the U.S. and a marathon in Edinburgh, Scotland. I am actually now starting to train for a 2 half marathons this coming Fall. Running has now become an obsession.

Answer 9

Good question. I used to run regularly when I was younger but haven't been doing anything for the past few years. As a kid in high school, my motivation was to help my team and to try and win medals in track and cross country. I enjoyed it because it was social and fun, but also it was something I had to work hard at and I was able to reap the benefits off all that hard training I was putting in. Not only did it keep me physically in shape, but developed my mental focus which taught me to never give up. Running 13-15 miles in hilly terrain in 90 degree weather will teach you that. That was my motivation then. Later in life, I trained to run a marathon and succeeded. My motivation was that it was something I wanted to accomplish just to prove I can do it. As an adult, I have to admit I've been pretty lazy and sometimes I just hate it... All that self-discipline I had is gone. I've officially joined the ranks of the lazy majority. Sure, occassionally I will muster up the gall to get my butt away from the computer screen and out the door, but then halfway into it I realize what used to be an effortless 3 mile warm-up is now so difficult. I know what it takes to start up again, but it is embarrassing how out of shape I've gotten that it's made it even more difficult. I know it's a mental thing, but I am just tired after work. I just need to get that energy back and spend less time sitting here but it's easier said than done. ;)

So as I attempt to answer this question with something I had not intended to answer with originally, I guess that should be motivation enough to get my butt back out there... You would think that would wake me up and get me going again, but the truth is I really need some help, man because I'm lacking some serious motivation to get back on a consistent training regimen. Hopefully anyone who actually took time to read this will see what a pathetic lazy bum this person is and that will motivate them to keep running. ;)

Answer 10

I've been running for years now. I first started in early college. Motivation: girls. I was overwieght, and feeling pretty bad about myself. Very quickly, my body changed, and so did my self-esteem. I had begun to notice an addiction to running. Whenever I'd take an extended break from running or have an injury that wold prevent a couple days of running, I would find myself filled with a sort of antsy, negative energy. Now that I am at the end of another lengthy break due to finishing a Master's degree, I am anxious to resume running. Now the motivation is pride, accomplishment, and meditation. Most people don't think of running as meditation, but when you get to the point where you look forward to running, and can take your mind off of it while you're running, it actually becomes an escape from the rest of the world. Oh, yeah, and the iPod + Nike definitely helps!

Answer 11

I dont run, I walk. Unless your an athlete competing in sports, or are preparing for a marathon, running everyday is not necessary to do and for some it can be a bad thing. I actually feel sorry for these people who I see running everyday, where are they going? To stay fit huh? There are alot of exercises you can do to stay fit other than running, knees hurt yet? Some will answer no because they are as skinny as a twig and eat fiber all day but yet still feel the need to what? Run. Ever heard of swimming? Its only the best exercise in the world, but then if all you runners did this you would just annoy the people on the lake instead of the streets, no good. Ever heard of Jim Fix?(name may be spelled wrong) Jogged 15 miles a day, did a jogging book, did a jogging video, and dropped dead of a massive heart-attack when? When he was jogging thats when. How much you want to bet it was two smokers that found him the next morning and went "Hey thats Jim Fix isnt it, wow what a fuc*ing tragedy lets go buy some butts". Its always the yogurt sprout eating motherfuc*er that get run over by a bus driven by a guy that smokes 3 1/2 packs a day. "Sorry officer I didn't see him, I was too busy smoking!" Stolen material but I made my point you jogging freaks.