Reflections on Running

Over the weekend, there was an exceptionally good trending topic on Twitter: #WhyIRun. 

It was interesting to see what runners from all walks of life listed as their reasons.

Confidence. Strength. Fresh air. To clear the mind. To prove a point. Relieve stress. Blow off steam. Achieve a sense of accomplishment. Get into shape. Lose the baby weight. To fit into that bikini. Look good in those skinny jeans. And one recurring theme that needed only one word: chocolate.

Reading others' reasons for running forced me to reflect upon #WhyIRun. Fitness ranks up there. Same with those size 6 skinny jeans. But upon closer examination, it turns out the mental vibe is just as important – if not more important – to me.

I run mostly to clear my head before or after work. Every time I set out for a run, I think it’s going to be a purely physical release. But it always ends up being a mental release, too. Like a kid at Christmas, I will never cease to be amazed by the things I am allowed to process while running. Whether it’s solving a work problem for a client, or figuring out my own long-range life plan, it just clicks. A true mind-body connection that I’ve not been able to replicate anywhere else.

So, what’s your reason? Why do you run? Join the fun and Tweet it at #WhyIRun.