I was not always a runner. I would opt for anything else for cardio, than running, even the StairMaster.
However after spending some time getting into it and working on my technique, I can officially call myself a 'runner'. This feels good. Maybe you're not into running (or even jogging) just yet, but maybe I can inspire you. So besides the fact that the cardio is really good for your heart, here are my top five reasons to love running:
- It Gives You A Runner’s High: Sounds cliché, I know, but it's true. After running, my endorphins are pumping and I feel great.
- It Gives You A Sense of Accomplishment: This point is important, especially for anyone who's ever looked at a runner and said, "I could never do that." The truth is that you can run and once you do, you'll feel very accomplished and proud of yourself.
- It Gives You Measurable Progress: In other words, it's easy to see improvement in endurance. In the beginning of running, you may only be able to run half a mile before conking out. However, after each session you'll be able to go just a little bit further and before you know it you'll be running five miles with no problems.
- It Burns Calories: Pretty self explanatory and anything that burns major calories is alright in my book.
- It's Free: You can run anywhere, anytime. True, you should get some good running gear and a great pair of running sneakers, but running does not require a trainer or gym membership. We were born knowing how to run.
Have your own reasons for loving running? Add them in the comments section below.
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I just started running as I have signed up for a 5k on October 6th. Running is hard! But I am trying to love it more.
1this post made me happy.
2i am a running addict. i think ANYONE can run. (unless you have no feet). You just have to pace yourself, and before you know it, you will be running long distance, and learn to love it. bonus** you lose weight, and get toned.
I love running. People always think it's so funny that I'm heavy and love to run. Um...how do they think I've lost this 35 lbs so far? Running is so fun!
3i wish i had a place to run
the roads around here are nutso and im in florida so i dont know
of any real trails...sigh, i miss running
4these are all great reasons, and all so true. sometimes when i am feeling tired or just not that great i think about not running, but i almost always push myself to do it anyway, and always feel awesome when i've finished.
and the feeling of accomplishment that you get from running and improving your running can't be beat. in high school, i used to be totally sedentary, the kind of kid a gym teacher really hated. i wanted to get into better shape, so i took up running. at first i could barely go two or three minutes before i felt like i was going to die, and i slowly worked up to running 20-25 miles each week. a couple of years later, i am now training for my first half-marathon. running has become a huge part of my life! on the mornings when i decide to take a break, even though its nice to be able to relax, i never feel as energized or envigorated as i do on the days that i run.
5I started running a few months ago because I've always wanted to run a marathon. I signed up for Disney in January 2008 and I'm building up. It's great just like fit says to see how much you can increase your endurance. I did 8 miles on Sunday and it felt great because in the beginning one mile was hard enough!
6Oh, and I have a great quote from Jesse Owens:
"I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feel and the courage of your lungs"
Yep, that's why I love running.
7Do you guys have a method for gauging how many miles you're running?
http://www.mapmyrun.com/ is a pretty helpful site.
8Any other ideas/thoughts?
It makes me so happy to see how many other people love running as much as I do. I feel like there is nothing quite like it, it can completely change my mood from awful to wonderful! On days when I don't run I feel deprived of something.
As for logging my runs, Moon, I use a website called www.runningahead.com which is a lot like mapmyrun, but I have experimented with them both and I like runningahead much better. You can chart your courses on google maps, save them, create graphs of how far you've run and what sort of run you did (easy, tempo, long, etc.). There is also room for making note of the temperature, the terrain, and the quality and effort of your run, as well as a section for notes. I highly recommend this website. You can also search for routes that other people have mapped out and made public.
9I totally agree with the reasons in the post. I am a really non-athletic person, so running distance for me is such a huge accomplishment. I did a half-marathon last year and friends from high school who heard about it were literally shocked. I don't have the speed, but I'm okay with that
I also use mapmyrun, but I might check out runningahead as well.
10Moon I use a Garmin Forerunner https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=142
It's a GPS device that you wear on your wrist and it tells you not only the distance you ran but while you're running it tells you your speed and has a lot of other neat features. I'd look into it if you really like knowing your speed/distance (I'm anal about it!)
11I am another former non-athlete who took up running pretty seriously at the beginning of the year. I'd run on and off and but was almost completely sedentary for a few months when I joined a half marathon training group in February. When I began, I couldn't run 2 miles without stopping. Now I run 15-20 miles a week and LOVE it. There's a big hump you have to get over, I think, but if you can make it through you'll likely start to enjoy it.
I like mapmyrun, and was also recently introduced to walkjogrun.net. But I treated myself to a Garmin Forerunner 205 for completing two half marathons so far this year and that's definitely been my favorite tool to date! (They are introducing a Forerunner 50 that's cheaper and will measure your distance as well, if you're interested.)
12i do enjoy running.. well i have learnt to enjoy it! ... at first im like ahh why am i doing this then about 5 mins later.. it seems like i could run forever.. although i know i really cant! haha.. i wish i could run forever tho!
13I can't run! Doctor's orders - I have a bit of an odd lower back issue that running can aggravate. It's annoying - I was never really into running, but I get the urge to every once in a while (it's just so freeing), but if I give into it, I can definitely feel it later. And not in a good way.
14SO true! Running is the most addictive form of exercise out there!
You just have to get past the first couple weeks of torture...when you're starting out it's so hard. But as soon as you have been doing for just 3 or 4 weeks it starts to feel so good. I love it.
15I do interval running, I love to run as fast as I can, it makes me feel good with myself. Still, I am fearful about hurting my knees so I just do it twice a week. I've always admired marathoners and wondered at the same time how they do it, I mean, they go on and on....and don't seem to ever get hurt!?
16You are SO right. I just started running and I can really see myself in what you depict.
Keep going with so motivating articles.
17I once was able to run 9 miles, I felt so accomplished. I miss running. Where I live now it is snowing 6 months of the year....
18I was a runner now I just walk
19I love running! It's such a feeling of freedom. The only thing I don't love about running is the jogging stroller.
20great post! I love to run and the best thing about running is that no matter what your level is, as long as you stick with it you'll improve.
21I used to beat myself up whenever I wouldn't run at the pace that I thought I should be running at or if I had to stop and walk for a little bit because I got too tired. I would always end up depressed after a run because I thought I should do better. I slowly let that go and adopted the mindset that even if I were to run for just 5 minutes out of 30, at least I was doing something. Some days I'm fast, some days I'm not.....as long as I'm out moving I'm happy with myself and the goals actually come a lot faster now and my mileage goes up.
Besides, there's nothing better than running at dawn somewhere really beautiful...its one of the only places you can totally be alone with your thoughts and not have any distractions or worries.
I, too, love running! I ran track and cross country in high school, but over the years put weight on and running hurt my knees. I've lost 20 pounds by walking during the past year and last night was able to run 3 miles non-stop. The time wasn't the fastest, but it sure felt incredible to run again. I have found that by adding running intervals to my walks that I was able to increase my endurance. I can't wait to hit the road tonight! Antsa, thanks for the inspiring Jesse Owens quote you posted. I hope to see you on the road sometime!
22Very true! I've just started running and I'm getting ready for my first 10k right now.
23I started jogging over the summer, but I stopped when I came back from a weeklong vacay out of the country. I loved it & I'm hoping I get back into my workout routine soon. It really did make me feel good & accomplished afterwards!
24Today's run SUCKED. In fact, I don't even know if you could say I even 'ran.'
25I woke up at 6:30, ate some breakfast, then I got out there about 6:58. I pretty much walked. It sucked. I bet out of the total 30 minutes, I probably 'ran' less than 10 minutes. Not even one uniform 10 minutes either. More like 2 minutes here, 2 minutes there.
On the treadmill, I can go FOREVER without stopping. But outside? I SUCK ASS.
I am getting nervous now because the 5k is in ONE MONTH and even though I am not doing it to be competitive by any means, I would still like to not feel like a complete loser and a half.
I am just going to say today wasn't a good day and not let it get to me.
Tomorrow is another day!!
I love running... nothing else feels as great (cardio wise). It's my time for thinking and sorting things out.
26i recently became a running addict
hahahhaha 
i am so deeply in love with running, i may not be able to run that far at
the moment, but gradually i know i get better everyday
what i love is when you feel the wind hit your face
and somehow if you feel released after you run, when i need a mood boost, yeah i run.
in addition, you burn calories and get toned from running!!! how cool is that!!!
run is my new fun!
27Motherhelen, congrats on your 3 miles!!!! that is awesome!!! And Moonischasingme1, you don't suck. You got out there and you ran. Even if you didn't run as much as you wanted, you still got out there. That is more than a lot of people do. Don't beat yourself up. Keep up the hard work and it will pay off. You will totally be ready for the 5K. Just stay focused and tell yourself that you have been working hard and you will be able to do it. Best of luck to you both!!!!
28I can't run and haven't been able to since I was 13 or 14 because of my knees. Bummer.
29I just ran my first 1/2 marathon on Sunday and even though I was limping around afterwards all I could think about was when I could race again. Races give you a reason to train and a goal to aim for.
30Running is not only a great cardio workout, but I read some research not that long ago saying it was great for your bones as well. The increase in bone density was similiar to lifting weights (Keep in mind only in your legs). I think the research attributed this to the high impact that running has on the body.
31I have been doing aerobics for over 5 yrs now, but seeing my butt I took up running a couple of weeks ago. Can anyone tell me if this will help my cottage cheese.
32Yes yes yes yes!
33listen to your fave music, run along with the beat, when the song slows you can walk/jog.. thats how i work out everyday.. easy running
and i am so addicted to it
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