50 Reasons I Love Running

I’m about to start a new marathon training season! Yay!

I’ve really enjoyed this off-season and have 100% fallen back in love with running, especially without pressure or purpose. That being said, I’ve always loved running a lot of junk miles and it’s going to be hard to tone it down, focusing more on quality than quantity.

 

And so, here’s my little love letter to the sport, also known as 50 Reasons I Love Running:

 

1. It’s the best way to appreciate where you are both geographically and physically
2. You get to see your city in a whole new way
3. Fresh air does you so much good
4. You can run almost wherever you are
5. It’s a great way to meet people
6. Runners are an incredibly friendly bunch
7. It can take your mind off what you’re stressing about
8. Or allow you the time and space to process it
9. It can be cheap if you want it to be
10. It gives you an excuse to travel
11. FREEDOM!
12. Peanut butter
13. Cake
14. Pizza
15. Frozen Yoghurt
16. It’s an easy way to get from A to B
17. It’s nice to be fit enough to run for a train if you have to
18. There’s a satisfaction in seeing mini-muscles grow over time
19. It gives me structure in life
20. I get to listen to podcasts and great music
21. I’m gradually getting leaner and fitter
22. Running kit is so freakin’ comfortable
23. Spending your life in lycra is pretty great and weekend makes you look like you have your shit together
24. You know you can always run away from weirdos and murderers if need be
25. Getting a proper deep sleep after a tough training session
26. Having good enough fitness to do other things
27. As a sport, running is just ridiculously convenient
28. A good sweat never hurt anyone
29. You can be as competitive as you want
30. You get to go on random road trips for races
31. Did I mention all the food?
32. Being able to shut people down when they judge you for eating cake
33. How good a 7up tastes after a long, hot run
34. Warm coffee feels after a freezing cold run
35. Winter becoming bearable when you get outside in it
36. The ridiculously supportive community I’ve encountered, both online and in real life
37. Shamelessly spending hours a week on Instagram fangirling over other runners
38. And endless running blogs
39. That really horrific breathlessness
40. Surviving a shitty run, because it makes you better equiped to deal with the rest
41. Having a goal to work towards
42. But then again, so is the ability to run just because you can
43. Being grateful for the body you have
44. You don’t need a membership to be a runner
45. You always make friends on race day
46. Training hard means you get an excuse to treat yo’self
47. Having cardiovascular fitness never goes out of style
48. Trainers are so much more comfy than regular shoes
49. Putting on fluffy slippers after a hard run
50. Having a hot soak in the bath and then melting into the sofa after a long run.

Have I missed any?

 

Lots of love,

 

Pippa