As a kid, I just couldn’t sit still. When I wasn’t running, I was kicking a ball (and running after it). I should have been born with a funky t-shirt that read “I love running” on it. You get the gist.
In Junior school, I was the sports team captain who would run the final leg of the 4×100 metre relay (oh the glory) and later represented the school at cross country. I simply loved the sport and I was quite good too.
However, aged 15 I suffered two detached retinas, and after a long operation to save my sight I was told by doctors to give up all sports for the foreseeable future. Pretty life-changing for a kid who loved nothing but sport.
As I progressed into adulthood (and pubs) sport became nothing more than a spectacle to be watched on the TV with a pint in-hand.
Two decades went by reserved for drinking, university, study, drinking, watching football, smoking, eating, travelling, parties, girls, drinking (did I already mention that?) working and little else. Certainly not running!
Now in my forties, and like so many other middle-aged men, exercise has made a come back in my life. Most notably running.
Once again I’m falling in love with the sport. Here’s why.
Why I love running
1. Running belongs to us all
Old, young, male, female, rich, poor, fit or fat, running has no boundaries. Running doesn’t care if you’re fast or slow, run short or long distances or something in between. Running is yours to own, it’s whatever you want it to be. It’s your PB, it’s your race, it’s your run.
It’s about you and me, the average person on the street. Not millionaire footballers. It’s us. We’re out there doing it, living it, feeling alive.
2. Running is affordable
There aren’t many sports in the world that require nothing more than a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. For most of us a pair of trainers too. Everything else is a luxury. For less than $100 almost everyone can kit themselves out with the latest branded sweat-wicking, reflective, trendy gear.
3. Running is freedom
I love running because it doesn’t require a ticket, a pitch, anyone or anything else. Day or night, in sunshine or rain on roads or through fields. Running is pure freedom.
It’s the ability to put your shoes on and two minutes later be on your merry way. Running opens your lungs, your eyes and your mind. It can set you free. Free from the worries of the world, your stresses and strains. For as long and as hard as you want to go, running will take you there.
Running is energy, it’s pure, it’s life. I love running.
4. You get to discover new places
Running gets you out of the house, and out of your comfort zone and the more you do it, the more likely you are to want to discover new places.
See new parts of your own town or take on a remote mountain trail. With so many gadgets available these days we can plot and run our way across pretty much anywhere.
5. I love running because it simply keeps you fit
Guidelines in the UK suggest that adults take at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise (like running) every week to help keep us healthy.
Just a couple of runs a week and you’ll be smashing your fitness goals!
For me, running helps keep my SIJ (sacroiliac joint) pain in order and I definitely get fewer colds and illnesses.
In addition, we should also be strength training two or more days per week, focusing on all the major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms).
Related: 20 benefits of joining a gym
6. The mental health benefits
There’s growing evidence emerging about the positive mental health benefits of running such as stress relief as well as boosting self-esteem and confidence.
Since I started running, I’ve definitely experienced and benefited from all of these positive mental health factors.
7. It helps you think and be creative
In addition to the mental health benefits above, running helps you to think and be more creative. In fact, there isn’t a run that goes by when I don’t return home and need to scramble for a piece of paper or my phone so that I can write or record new ideas and thoughts.
Out there on the road with nothing more than your thoughts (don’t tell me you run with music!), deep breathing, plus the repetitive thud of your steps to keep you occupied, your mind can go to some weird and wonderful places.
“Motion causes emotion”
Tony Robbins
Trying to make a difficult decision when you’re sitting passively at home is hard. How many times have you heard someone say “I need to get some fresh air.”?
It’s that fresh air, the motion of your body that changes your chemistry, your mentality, your physicality and gets you in a pumped state of mind.
I love running because no matter how crap and how tired you feel, there’s no better way to help you think clearly, get motivated or make decisions than after or during a really good run.
All of those endorphins combined with the fresh air, freedom and creativity will always do you the world of good.
Still here? Go on. I’ll wait…
8. The running community are awesome
Another reason why I love running is that you feel part of a bigger community. A community that spans the globe and has no ego – well not at our level.
Online, Twitter has a great community and there are always local events happening no matter where you live.
Park Run is a great place to start and there are also many online platforms such as DASHR, Jogging Buddy and Run Together which help runners to find others to run with. MeetUp is also a good place to look for meet-ups in your local area.
I’ve taken part in a handful of races now, and in every single one, there has been nothing but great support and goodwill between all of the competitors and spectators.
I experienced this by the bucketload when I recently ran a half marathon with a friend of mine who was struggling with his weight and depression. We ran most of the race in last place, but the support we received was nothing short of incredible.
We’re all in the same boat. Just trying to do our best.
Related: Embracing failure is the key to success
9. There’s always an event to look forward to
It seems like every weekend there’s a run or an event to take part in. From 5k Park Runs, 10k, half and full marathons there’s something for everyone to get out there and test (and enjoy) yourself.
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of standing amongst a crowd of runners waiting for the countdown. With all of your training and preparation completed, you’re ready to run.
That’s when I feel the most alive. When I’m taking part.
10. You’re much better at maths now than you were at school
In your quest to get better, you become a mathematician as you try to work out how fast you need to run each mile to break your PB. Don’t lie to me, I’ve seen your post-it notes with scribbled equations on them.
What you don’t do that?
11. You can tell anyone how many miles there are in a kilometre
You can easily spot a runner when someone at work casually asks how far 10 kilometres is in miles. Before anyone else gets a chance, they nail it, shouting “6.2 miles” across the office.
In case you’re wondering:
1km = 0.62 miles
1 mile = 1.6km
12. You know what you want for your birthday and Christmas
How many birthdays and Christmas’s have you been asked “What do you want…” from a loved one and replied with a shrug “I don’t know.”?
As a runner, you can’t wait for the question. There’s new gear to be had, books to read, magazine subscriptions or races to be signed up for.
Simply put, being a runner can make you as excited as a child again, and that reason alone is enough as to why I love running.