If you run, why?

[tamade]

I started running to improve fitness, health and longevity. But I just realized that now I run for the views. Literally knew it would be a beautiful evening and could not wait to get out amongst it. 11.5km this route.
What about you?

I’m so jealous of people who love to run. My husband and three of my kids are runners and they get so much from it and it’s so accessible.
I’ve tried and tried, but it’s just not for me. I can’t switch my brain off in the way I can when I swim or lift weights. Not sure why but the internal chat is constant and negative when I’m running and I come back feeling really drained and crap.

Started for physical health, wanted to get fit and loose weight. Now I find when I am not running my metal health suffers massively.

I also like that I'm outdoors and alone and am lucky that i too have lovely views on my routs.

I swear a lot at myself when running.

which is sort of freeing in itself

bloody fucking hill. who fucking chose this route

Don't be jealous! We're all wired up to enjoy different types of activity. I wish I was better at swimming and lifting weights!

I can’t help it! I love the idea of it. I love watching my family when they run races, I get so emotional seeing lots of people all coming together to do something. It’s a lovely bonding experience for them and I wish I could be part of it. At least a bigger part than holding the coats 😆

I always say the best bit about running is stopping! 😬

I run because it’s a quick and easy way to get some cardio. To help my knees and joints Because occasionally, I quite like it.

Where do you run? I can't do treadmill running but I live somewhere flat and pretty. I can do a 4 mile route (the last 100 m or so on the outwards journey is an incline). It's on a pavement but goes past a river and park so it's scenic.
I probably enjoy the feeling of freedom and of having exercised.

Do you listen to headphones? (I have never tried).

Running around streets or housing estates isn't as enjoyable and I find myself counting steps on those runs. (1-2-3-4, 1-2-3-4...)

There's a big undulating park not far from me and that's glorious on late summer evenings.

"I always say the best bit about running is stopping! 😬"
The hardest part is putting the shoes on and getting out through the door.

Yep. I 100% agree. I’m ok once I get going (and can Look forward to stopping!) but the getting going is still a challenge. I persevere though, I persevere!

@BitOutOfPractice , when I started jogging, I used to warm up to the same song. It still gets me going. It's quite a distinctive one.

Embarrassing question. I bought a pair of retro running shoes. Can I wear them for running despite them being like the ones I wore 20 years ago?
They're a top running brand and that model is still going but now something like mk20 not mk10.

I'm not too concerned about looks but don't want to wear them if they're fashion shoes masquerading as runners.

@tamade , when I was young, someone local went out jogging every morning. When he was asked 'Why?' he'd say 'Why not?'

I’ve tried all kinds of places, beach, park, woods, urban areas, gym. I’ve joined running clubs, done park run, run with friends or family and my own.
With music, podcasts, audiobooks or nothing!
I think I just need to admit defeat and hold the coats with pride!

@FrancieMulldoon , maybe it just isn't for you. I went to Pilates once.
Was told off for laughing - a man was snoring on his yoga mat.
I didn't go back.

I just got home from a run. There is something about running that feels different to all other exercises but I can’t explain what it is. It makes me keep going though.

I try and mix up my runs, sometimes faster, sometimes slower and longer, sometimes run/walk.

Nothing compares to being outside and running. Only times I won’t run are temps over 30 and ice/snow.

I also like that it makes me appreciate cold weather. I love the summer but a very cold run is far better than a hot one for me.

Ha! I tried qigong once and had to leave after the lovely guy asked my friend if she could feel the qi and she very solemnly nodded and said “yes I can feel the qi” then once he’d gone she looked panicked and whispered “I can’t feel the qi at all can you?” She looked so worried I just couldn’t stop laughing.

I run because my mates do. Or did. Increasingly injuries and family commitments mean they rarely come.
Running alone is bad for my mental health. I go out with a problem, stress about it for several km then come home with the same problem but more tired, with sore legs and fewer beans to solve the issue.
And jealous that other people seem to have some kind of endorphin high.
I used to enjoy it more when I was fitter and less stressed.c

I find the opposite. I can run miles being angry about something then decide to not worry about it. I don't get an endorphin high, as far as I know, just a sense of pride in having shifted myself outside and stuck it out.

For me, it’s the closest thing to feeling like a child again. Particularly running in the rain or really bad weather. It feels like we (age 55!) should be tucked away at home, but we’re outside enjoying the freedom.

I run for the sense of achievement and wellbeing for having done it. Also it helps control my weight and improve my fitness.

I'm more motivated to go running now that I live somewhere with lovely riverside running routes close by, but I can't say that I actually proactively enjoy the views much while I'm running.

I started as bereavement therapy and aiming for better cardiovascular outcomes than my parents. I love it for the fresh air, stress relief and the sense of achievement. I'm fitter than I've ever been in my life and can't believe my middle aged body is capable of the things it can do. I'm fortunate to live by the sea and have my choice of beautiful coastal running routes. I always feel like my lungs have had a clean afterwards!

re clean lungs
running in high humidity/rain feels really good in my asthma damaged lungs.

Gorgeous photos OP!

Why do I run? I run because I feel so much better, both physically and mentally, when I do. It's as simple as that. When I fall off the running wagon, and I do from time to time, I end up feeling rubbish - tired and grumpy and just out of sorts. I don't run because it makes me look amazing, because it doesn't. The calories I burn mean I have fewer of them to sit on my arse, so I suppose I'm slimmer than I would otherwise be, but as a 52-year-old with a sedentary job the amount I run hasn't turned me into someone who is firm and lean. I wish it had!

I think this is part of it for me. I did my first ultra at the weekend and at one point I was running along eating an ice pole, later I was charging down hill through over grown woodland on a really uneven path, it was so fun!! Also, nothing quite like the feeling of getting to the top of a massive hill and seeing the sea knowing you’re going to be running down to it.

it wasn’t always like this. The early days were hard and I had to bargain with myself to get out the door! I spent a long time doing it because I wanted to be better at it but actually not really enjoying it. Now I love it!!! I don’t even really think about the distance, I just run along enjoying different bits, knowing that even if I feel tired one minute I’ll be ok again on the next down hill.

bow I want to challenge myself to see how far and fast I can go. Next goals are to properly race a 50k and then enter a 50 miler.

I think you could start c25k or do an ocassional run in fashion trainers but tbh running shoes are cushioned in the right places to avoid injury.
plus my feet sweat buckets running.