I run because.....<tell me what you'd insert here>

[AddictedtoCrunchies]

That's it really. I've been challenged to sum it up in one sentence and I'm interested to know why you run.

Well Done Em!

It sorts my head out.

It's free exercise
It's my quiet time
I love the sense of achievement it gives me (ran my 2nd half marathon last month )
It's helped me lose a stone and keeps my weight stable.
I don't feel guilty about that occasional cake or alcohol splurge!

I need a challenge
I want to stay the size I am
It's free and it gets me from A to B

BUT Don't enjoy it one bit and after eleven months of running 3x week I'm not much faster and (apart from a couple of occasions) don't experience the euphoria

Because I feel very virtuous afterwards. Because it means I can eat chocolate and drink wine whenever I like and not have to worry about getting fat. Because, occasionally (once in maybe every 15 runs), I feel invincible and like I could run forever. Unfortunately such a feeling is the exception, not the rule, and usually I feel like I'm dying!

I feel good afterwards, like I'm strong and invincible.
It toned my tummy better than anything else.
I'd rather be outside than in a sweaty gym.
I can. It reminds me to be grateful for my strong legs and lungs, where others would give anything to be able to run. This one is particularly true when I have done charity runs. Being surrounded by charity t shirts makes me glad I can run.

Otherwise i would get fat ??

It feels like freedom, and nothing else matters at the time.

eightytwenty I also find it takes a few KM to clear my lungs, and I do still have the occasional run where I'm breathing through glue. I always take Ventolin before I run.

I have found, however, that since I've been running I've had far, far fewer episodes where my lungs are generally in a mess (I have a history of a severe asthmatic cough deteriorating quickly into pneumonia/pleurisy - I'm convinced it was badly exacerbated by 2 pregnancies). It seems the regular "decoking" I get from running is doing the trick.

...because it gives me rosy cheeks and keeps me warm (I usually feel the cold).
....because it makes my heart pump faster like it's meant to.
.... because it stops me going crazy.
....because I like saying "hello!" to squirrels and doggies

What Pepe said upthread! And the 'It's cheaper than therapy' one too. Sorry - not very original!

I love the feeling of the fresh air against my skin and filling my lungs- the gym just doesn't cut ti!!

Because although I love cycling I'm not (yet) fast enough to do it competitively, but I'm a decent swimmer so suffering the running means I can make a passable triathlete.

I'm also asthmatic and up until about a year ago didn't run at all. My asthma is just about (maybe 85%) under control with a change of meds and the c25k got me running properly.

I'm another one who has to stop after about a km to empty the contents of my lungs. I'm usually fine after that, and if I do several days of running or cycling in a row my lungs do get better.

These are brilliant, thank you all so much for sharing. I have to write my reason into. Report and I'm trying to get it as succinct but meaningful as possible.

It makes me feel completely alive and in tune with the inner strength I possess, but don't always realise.

I like what someone said about it being cheaper than therapy, it very much is therapy for me.

Because I feel happy when running - especially on a bright sunny fresh day.

The music sounds amazing and I get a rush from the go faster songs.

I feel really good afterwards.

And it's free and outside.

...I love it.
I love the power of my body, and taking control over my body back after childbirth
I love being outside (ditto saying hello to the animals!)
I love having my own headspace for a while (ie getting away from the baby!)
I am 100% a better person for it

Because it's free and do-able whenever you want.
Because I am rubbish at it and I'm more competitive with myself than with anyone else.
Because it feels awesome when it's over.
Because it's therapy that stops my brain from malfunctioning.
Because I smoke and it feels like I'm at least trying.
Because I don't want to get fat.
Because - very occasionally - it feels incredible and like I'm a proper runner.
Because music sounds fantastic when you're running.
Because I don't sweat when I'm running but it pours off me when I stop and that makes me smile - like I'm a proper fitness person.
Because I like wine and gin.

... Because two years ago I couldn't run 50 metres without getting out of breath. Running makes me feel amazing, I can't believe this body can do it!

Because I love it, it keeps me sane and thin.

But also as I was diagnosed with an incredibly painful inflammatory condition three years ago: running is the only thing that stops my body hurting. I don't have to take painkillers if I run 5 times a week. It's that simple and has given me back my life. So for that reason, running makes my life normal, bearable and probably last a bit longer too