Why I love running
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Will @ 4XLT asked me in the comments of my last post what I enjoy about running (and in particular distance running). I’ve given this some serious thought and here are a few of the main reasons I love running.
The first reason is a bit silly but it is the most important one to me. I run because I can. Up until this year I’ve had a strong belief that I could never be a runner. Runners were mythical creatures who were blessed with running genes and I was a born couch potato. You have no idea how shocked and stunned I still am that I am a runner. I still get a great sense of joy just from knowing that I am a runner.
Running gives me time to think. Sometimes life can get rather busy. I find that on my long runs I have time to destress, think and have some time just for me. It’s rather good. There is a certain joy in just being one with the road at times.
Running has given me a deeper appreciation of the beauty of my city. I live in one of the top 5 cities in the world (in terms of quality of living) and getting outside and running around it has opened my eyes to how blessed I am to live here.
Running has let me experience new things. I’ve entered running races. Me, an overweight couch potato!
Running has made me fitter. That is a bit of a no brainer. I’ve been fortunate and have had no injuries as a result of my running. I’m fitter and in better shape than ever before in my life I think!
Anyway, I could go on but those are the things that immediately spring to mind. If you are thinking about learning to run then I strongly encourage you to do it. I was a good 75 pounds heavier than I am now when I started running so don’t let the weight thing put you off. Visit www.c25k.com and start running today!
For those of you who run, maybe you could share some of the things you love about running in the comments or on your blogs?
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Andrew!
I just returned to my blogging roots after a summer hiatus, and I’m so pleased to see how well you’ve been doing since you finished C25K…. WOW!
I hope you are super proud of yourself and I commend your progress, and will continue to use it for my inspiration as I complete C25K once more!
Keep up the great work.
Nancys last blog post..OMG… It Has Been FOREVER!!!
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AndrewE
reply on September 10th, 2008 7:31 pm:
Welcome back! Thanks.
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It’s interesting to read this post just a minute after posting on why I’m not committing to another race just yet. I rediscovered this summer that running is fun — that’s why I started a few years ago and somewhere along the way lost that focus. If I’m not enjoying myself out there, then there’s no point. But I am having fun, and that’s exactly why I love running.
David H.s last blog post..Running … just to run
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I wanna be someone who loves running! Maybe I’ll get there
Alexias last blog post..Living in completely different parallel universe weight-wise
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Great list, and they all fit with why I love walking!
Cammys last blog post..Makeover Monday: Walk This Way
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I love how positive you are Andrew! You made a great list. One of my fave things about running is how connected it makes me feel to the planet . I love the air rushing around me, the smell of the plants, the pounding tunes from my iPod… oh, wait.
charianders last blog post..Sleep Creep: Is Exercise the Reason for Your Midday Crash?
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I run because I can.
I love it.
Daves last blog post..Dark Scary clouds from heaven and dead dog
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I’m with you… I run because I can and I too am amazed that I can! It was less than a year ago when I couldn’t make it 1/4 mile… well I did but was exhausted and was sore for a week.
Thanks for sharing your list, I couldn’t agree more!
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I treat running as “my time”. It gives me time to think and de-stress. I also use it as a time to be grateful for everything I have in my life and focus on my upcoming goals.
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I love running because it clears my mind and gives me time for myself and me alone. I’m a chronic worrier, I’m always thinking, pondering, and even though I only started 2 months ago, this has been the major incentive for me to continue. I stop thinking!
That and my body feels so much better already!
Daisys last blog post..W7D2 – Much better
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A very thought provoking and excellent post! You really know how to throw together your thoughts.
I have found that no matter what I do to stay in shape, I always come back to running, Now that I have dedicated myself to reaching goals, the fitness and weight just come along naturally.
Keep up the great work!
Spartan7s last blog post..The Longest Yard
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Fantastic post! I think you described better than I could manage how and why we run. I’ll just add here the quote that finally got me to start running. From Haruki Murakami’s running memoir (What I Talk About When I Talk About Running), he descibes his state of mind during a run:
But really as I run, I don’t think much of anything worth mentioning.
I just run. I run in a void. Or maybe I should put it the other way: I run in order to acquire a void
That sums up the peace for me
CMBs last blog post..C25K — Week 8 Day 1
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Im not there yet–but Im trying.
I love the weights so I know it’s possible
MizFits last blog post..Kickin’ it OLD SCHOOL. Rowing style (and, alas, sans Will Ferrell).
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[...] my evening travels from one blog to the next, I find myself perpetually returning to Andrew’s blog (AndrewIsGettingFit.com). Andrew describes in vivid, technicolor detail his successes and failures [...]
I totally agree with your reasons you love running. I love your #1 reason, because I’m the same way. I love running because I never thought I could, and everytime I leave the house, I feel like I’m doing something that I didn’t think I could, I feel so accomplished.
Perhaps I will be putting together a little why I love running post of my own!
Kates last blog post..My Long Run!
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AndrewE
reply on September 10th, 2008 7:30 pm:
I look forward to reading it!
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Ahh, because I can. I could not agree more. I think for people who have struggled with fitness and weight running is the holy grail. We all saw that person out there running and said out loud “that guy is crazy” but thought inside “I wish I could be that guy”.
For me it boils down to fitness. I ran 5 miles yesterday. It was slow but darn it I was running. I enjoy the challenge and the peacefulness. I enjoy the waves from neighbors and the occasional word of encouragement. Ultimately though. I think you hit the nail on the head the first time. I enjoy it because I, all 300 lbs of me, can run!
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Wow I run for much the same reason! I’m always amazed when I finish a run, it’s like the same thrill over and over again… I just never thought I would be a runner and yet here I am.
Amandas last blog post..Oh my veggies
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Great thoughts!
I think that for me most important reasons are ‘I run because I can’ and time to think and step away from daily rush. With three children I need this time badly!
))
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I am a runner wannabe! It has so many positives to it…I am starting to do more. Thank you for sharing!
Mark Salinass last blog post..The Active Child with Rosabel Yip
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I concur. As the weather quiets here in Chicago, longer runs feel better. I can run harder longer.
My eight miler before church helped sort out my mind, helped me get ready to worship free from physical stress. Runner is not a spiritual thing for me, but it helps decrease things that might limit my spiritual focus.
As my weight drops and fitness increases, I’m enjoying this so much more. Had a PR two weeks ago, with hopes of more to come before the year’s over.
A. Trendls last blog post..A Winter Comes With Miles Foreboding
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I think you’re the new poster child for the joys of running!
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I love running too very simply because 6 weeks ago, I could NOT run! If anyone had told me two months ago that I would be a runner and loving it within 6 weeks, I would have laughed out loud. I love how it makes me feel (strong), how it makes me look and how quickly the body adapts to the challenge and demands more.
To me it is the best kept secret to overall physical and mental well-being! I only wish I had discovered this years ago!
Cyndis last blog post..It’s official: I AM a Runner!
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Hi, I’m new to your blog – but I just wanted to write that one of my regrets of being a couch potato is that I too live in one of the top 5 cities and it’s just sad for me to watch all those healthy active people out there enjoying life, whilst I’ve hidden away from all the beauty that surrounds me. I’m hoping to find inspiration from your blog as I’m just a beginner to transforming my life. Cheers!
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AndrewE
reply on September 10th, 2008 7:28 pm:
You can do it I’m sure!
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You don’t have a search function on your website! I got here from 100pushups and I wanted to see how you did on it, if it worked out for you at all. (You sure do run a lot! Kind of an inpiration.)
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Great post Andrew!!!
I love running because running helps me define who I am.
Jasons last blog post..Wonderful Run!!
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Great post! I think “because I can” is the BEST reason.
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Andrew,
You have inspired me. I have printed of the C25K running program and will be downloading a podcast tonight to go with it. Will be running first thing in the morning.
I have also enjoyed your running maps of Auckland. My husband is from Auckland (we live in SE Pennsylvania) and we visit his family quite often. His sister lives at the base of Mount Eden. One of our daily activities while there is to walk to the top along the many paths and then head back down for coffee at Sierra Cafe. We just love Auckland.
Regards,
Susanna
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AndrewE
reply on September 11th, 2008 6:55 am:
That is so great to hear. I love hearing about how people have started running after reading my blog.
Let me know how you get on!
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I like running. I think I was meant to be a runner, even though not long ago, I said I could never run, I’m a walker… until I started running.
I like running because it is my time, for once I’m doing something for myself. Also I feel sooo much better after I had a run.
I remember Andrew used to have to battle with the little voice in his head in the start of the training for running… Most of the time I had the opposite problem… my little voice says: 5 more mins
Sally: but I really have to go to work,
little voice: shower faster! and run another 5 mins…
“most” of the time, of course there were times I kept watching the time thinking… hang in there for 5 more mins, then maybe we will stop… then 5 more mins… Usually gets to after 20-25 mins, I’m ready to run more
But my 30 mins is up 
So I do like running a lot
Don’t have enough time to do more though.
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[...] more exercise (instead of posting to the chop), and I read a really good, short article about Why I Love Running. Every time I go out, I find that I can run a little bit farther(or is it further), a little bit [...]
[...] Andrew is Getting Fit explains why I love running. [...]
I’ve been watching my parents run since I was able to walk.. I’ve grown up running now for 7 years. I’m 18 now and I absolutely love running as well. Whenever I’m in a horrible mood… or stressed, I run. After 5 miles or so, I’m in such a peaceful state of mind.. it really makes you better mentally & physically!!
I loved this article!
Thanks.. I feel better already :-p
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Hi~ I come from Hong Kong. Thanks for your sharing! I’ve given it up around 4yrs ago because of hurts in my legs(overtraining). I was crazy about running before.
Now I’m starting to run again~ cause nothing is happlier than running. And I need to lose some pounds too
Cheers~ sorry for my bad English
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Hi Guys,
Well done! I’ve sort of come around to feeling the same. Around 10-12 years ago I went running 5-6 days per week between 8-10 miles per night! I was super fit! Over the years this varied and gradually declined. Now I am 15 stone. I started running again about 6 weeks ago and am now doing 4 miles per run. Its harder on the joints – but i’m feeling the benefits none the less. Im in my thirties now rather than my twenties – but I had become convinced I was just too FAT to run. Feels good to prove yourself wrong. The only gripe I have is not being able to get enough running advice for overweight people (hope not to be next year!).
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[...] Andrew is Getting Fit explains why I love running. [...]
[...] Andrew is Getting Fit explains why I love running. [...]