Enpowerment.  I started when I was 11 b/c it was an individual sport and my winning didn't depend on other teammates or equipment (ie: bike that could break down, baseball glove that was crappy, or a teammate that just plan sucked). My success was based solely on my own dedication, self-discipline, and mental toughness. Oh, how many times I wanted to choke the life out of a soccer teammate that sucked and casued us ALL to loose a game. I decided at that moment, age 11 I would be in a sport where my wins and losses were in my control. Running was my ticket. All that was required was a good pair of sneakers and my OWN discipline.

Been running ever since (even during both of my pregnancies). Love to know that I am physically stronger and healthier than 99% of other mothers in this world. Won't use their excuse that i had kids which explains being unhealthy and overweight. Quite the contrary: I have kids, therefore it is my responsibility to be healthy for them. After all, A HEALTHY MOM IS AN ALIVE MOM, AND MY KIDS NEED ME ALIVE FOR THEM.

Thank you for opening this discussion for us to share our core desire of why we started to run and why we continue to run.

Happy running! KimRuns...

I am so glad you asked this question, mostly b/c I have wanted to tell the world how much I love running.  The funny part is, I have only been running for a month.  I am a recovering alcoholic and that may be more than some want to know, but it is why I am here today.  I am almost 8 months sober and life keeps getting better.  When I was in the mist of my addiction I always wanted to "learn" to run.  I wanted to do that, but as everything else, I put it off.  My friend said to me a few months ago I should run a half with her(out of the blue) and I knew here was my chance,  Every new mile I run, I first do it for me, then I do it for my family and so on.  I am becoming stronger mentally and physically everyday and running gets me as close to God as I can get, at least while I am above ground. And without getting all gushy, maybe to late, it makes me so happy, pround and feels so good.  Thanks again for the question, Carri

I have never been able to run, jog or even walk at too brisk of a pace. I was overweight and a heavy smoker. My husband has always been a runner and consistently asked me to run with him, and I ALWAYS declined. I would  say to him "what kind of fool just goes out there to run for no purpose?"  I mean it was not as if anything was chasing him.He has the most fabulous muscled legs I had ever seen on a man, and I was envious. I am a paramedic and a year and a half ago I had a patient on the 3rd floor of a building go into cardiac arrest. No elevator in this building, so three floors running as fast as I can, carrying 50 pounds of medical supplies and my own rather portly self up the stairs to try and save the man without a heartbeat. I started to run and halfway up stars were floating before my eyes, my breathing heavy and I kept thinking I was gonna die. My partner flew by me on the stairs as well as several firefighters that were there to help us. I finally managed to drag my out of shape rear to my patient and stood there bent over the man gasping and wheezing, unable to do anything for him at all. 2 of the firefighters actually came to me to see if I needed help. That was an eye opener.  Very soon after that I went shopping and realized I had ballooned up to a size 18 in clothing. That was it. I was fat and out of shape and a danger to myself AND my patients. I went out to the local high school track and started trying to run the next night.  That was around a year ago. I still have my days where I get discouraged, but overall I know that where I am now is almost a lifetime away from what I used to  be. Now I run because I want to, because I love it...it just takes me away, sweeps me along..... and nope, no one's chasing Me either

I'm JSiman's roommate!  The guy to whom he so touchingly gives credit as the reason he started running 40 years ago.  That made my day, to say the least.  I had completely forgotten about those jogs on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.  I haven't seen my old roomie since 1969 - I'll bet he looks great with those 50 pounds gone.

So why did I start running?  Quick, all you running geeks - what happened during slightly less than four minutes of the year 1954?  Of course - Roger Bannister's famous mile.  That's what started this 9-year-old on the running path I'm still on 54 years later.  No, I was never very good - like my buddy JSiman, I didn't run in high school or college - but running was and is my ticket to lifelong physical and mental health.  I ran my last marathon 14 years ago, my last Hood to Coast (the pdx in my screen name stands for Portland) seven years ago, and my latest 10K was 20 minutes off my PR.  No worries - running will be a part of me as long as I can stand upright.

Because it's more gratifying than the elliptical.  After running, I feel like I've acomplished something.  My body is alive.  After the same amount of time on the elliptical, I just feel like I'm sweating alot.

Plus, I was inactive for about 20 years due to a back injury.  After the surgery (L4-S1 Fusion)  I just want to go out & do stuff. . .