Why Do We Run?

With summer upon us and warmer weather you’ve probably noticed an increased amount of people out for a run during your commute to and from work.

Non-runners often find themselves muttering the same question “why would you do that?”. It’s true, running comes with some undesirable side effects. Sweat, discomfort, soreness, and even the dreaded shin splints to name a few.

But for all the reasons that cause people to stray away from running, there’s more that encourage them to hit the pavement.

Running for a cause

Sticking to a routine and maintaining the motivation to run daily can be difficult. So why not run for a charity of your choice? There’s races for just about any cause that range from the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure to The Tunnel to Towers run.

Larger races such as the Boston Marathon will let you run for a cause of your choosing. Whichever cause you choose, nonprofit fundraising is a great way to motivate yourself to lace up!

Running to disconnect

Email, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram take up more time of our day then we’d like to admit. Running is often the one time of the day where people can feel truly disconnected.

No constant notifications, or “emergency” texts from kids, or significant others. This alone time offers peace and quiet that’s hard to get otherwise.

Health

Lastly, the most prominent reason why people run. Research has shown that running can raise your levels of good cholesterol while also increasing lung function.

In addition, running can boost your immune system and lower your risk of developing blood clots. Hitting the pavement can also lower blood pressure as well as decrease your risk for various cancers.

Finding the motivation to get out for a run can be difficult, especially with the noise of day-to-day life. It’s important to find what drives you, whether it’s a cause that’s near and dear to your heart, a need for some alone time, or just to live a healthier lifestyle.

Have I persuaded you? I hope so!