When the running gets tough, it's easy to question our "why!"
Welp, maybe it's just me, but it seems like I've been seeing a lot of posts about the importance of finding your "why" lately, as it pertains to running.
Imagine your conscience... insert cartoon devil and angel on your shoulder here...
The "why" is that third little guy who lives between your ears, telling you to ignore the dang voices and KEEP GOING!
Well, you get the picture.
The "why," in general terms is our reason or purpose for doing something we're passionate about. Putting purpose behind a pursuit makes it all the more likely we'll succeed.
You can have more than one "why."
The other day I was thinking about my "why" and listening to Never Give Up by SIA. I noticed I couldn't narrow down my "why" to just one reason. This made me feel my "why" was irrelevant— because I'd assumed that most people had figured out this one grand or explicit meaning behind their reason to run, however, my reason fluctuated depending on how I felt.
What? You mean I don't have to run for one specific reason?
For one thing, I love how running allows my body to move as designed, rather than being confined to a desk. I love how accomplished I feel after completing a race, (hence the song Never Give Up) and how freeing it is to just run outside.
Yep, I love that primal feeling of the wind in my hair... if only I had long flowing locks... and I digress...
Yes, there are times when I run a little too hard, but that feeling invigorates me — imagine, my lungs drawing in the wind in a steady, rhythmic pattern, (I hate wind) as roadrunners scamper down the trail alongside me like kindred spirits. (I feel they are my "kindred spirits," like Anne says in Anne With An E).
- Possible trigger-
Running does so much for my physical and mental state. Running has helped me fight my biggest personal demon, my own mind... My mind can cut me to the quick and I'm guilty of being my own worst enemy. I also get social anxiety... and so on...
To top it off, I've struggled with depression throughout my life, especially as a suicide survivor (which I won't delve into further, but thankfully it now feels eons ago)...
but I hope running can teach me to become my biggest cheerleader - one day. Mental health is just part of the overall picture and I hope to become more resilient.
"The only one who can tell you 'you can't' is you and you don't have to listen."
- Dean Karnazes
You may not even realize it, but you probably already know your "why."
Until recently it felt like I was on this epic quest to find the elusive "why" I heard so much about. I thought I'd missed a turn because I couldn't find a magical, one-size-fits all meaning to running.
...Then I accepted the fact that it was enough to run simply because I liked to run!
How could I narrow my love of running down to just one reason anyway?
We all have our own reasons to run.
You may run to honor the memory of a loved one, raise money for a cause, see how far or fast you can go, or to be a part of a team, all of those reasons drive us forward.
If I've learned anything folks, it's that the "why" is dynamic and changes with the seasons in our lives. Running itself is not constant, but consistency in running doesn't mean nothing changes! We are constantly changing and growing.
The great thing about running is that you can run for any number of reasons and still find purpose and joy in the task, even on those hard, I hate it, hill days!
I just started becoming a running fanatic.
Right now, my "why" has become more of a zest to learn all I can about running long distances.
Ok, I'll admit that maybe the lockdown turned me onto an obsessed running fanatic, maybe I just needed the structure and goals... I did run a treadmill marathon, for fun!
The reality is, I enjoy reading first-hand accounts about running, studying sports nutrition, and learning from runners far better than I. I have so much still to learn!
My "why" has changed over the past two years. My long-term goals have shifted from chasing a faster half marathon to running longer distances.
In 2016 I ran my first half marathon (13.1 miles), though I'd shied away from the marathon (26.2 miles) because I didn't have the confidence to try.
This year I ran my first and 2nd 50k races (just over 31 miles). I recently joined an online community of women training for their first 100 milers. Wowsers! I have to say, I'm still a bit unsure of my abilities, but why not see what I can learn?
So, after chasing my "why" down a yellow brick, you know... I realized it was there all along. Again, my love for running is my "why!"
If you struggle to find your "why," ask yourself why you enjoy running.
Even though my "why" is running simply for the love of it! That doesn't mean that running is always easy, sometimes it's downright uncomfortable and I'm ready to quit! Believe me, I've had my share of bad runs and niggles, but I love running and plan to continue for the unforeseen future. That's the joy of it! That I can keep going.
Finding my passion for running was the easy part since I enjoy so many aspects of the sport. Thanks for reading.
I'd love to know "why" you run.
What drives you to keep going?
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