Why I Run.

It’s better to have run and gotten injured than to never run at all.

As most of you know, I am currently nursing a small injury right now...tendonitis in my right foot. Not being able to run for 7 days, 18 hours, 36 minutes [totally kidding…kinda], has made me think about why I run and realize why I love running more than the average human being.

I can’t even count on two hands the amount of times people have asked me why I run. I get that question all the time.

“Brittney, why do you run? I just can’t run for that long.”

“I get bored.”

“I have so many other things to do.”

“It’s hard.”

To be honest, I am always blindsided by the question. It stops me in my tracks for a minute. Why do I run?

I run because I can. Because when I do, I get to test my limits, see how far I can push myself, and aim to be an extraordinary runner.

Running is so much more than exercise for me.

Sure, it started out that way, but it has become so much more than that. I ran competitively all through junior high and through high school, and then recreationally all through college. I have the genes for it, I have the experience for it, but I also have the heart for it.

Running is how I find my inner peace. It’s when I talk to God the most. It’s how I let out stress, anger, anxiety, joy, & happiness. It’s how I release my build up of emotions.

I run to get out of my head. It sounds silly, I know, but I get to release everything and think clearly. And I get to escape myself and the stresses of life for a little while. It’s the only time I can wander to my own special work and no one can reach me. When I’m running, it’s the only time my thoughts are quiet. Don’t get me wrong, some runs I am constantly speaking into my phone about things to add to my to do list, but the majority of the time, it’s just me. And my running shoes. And the road.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a competitive and passionate person. And you can see that through my running. Running is how I express myself. My passion shines through most during my runs, especially during a race. I am constantly setting new goals and working my butt off to reach them. I have a constant drive to beat myself. I have a need to constantly get faster. Sometimes I think it’s a game I subconsciously play while I run. During races, I love the feeling of knowing that I couldn’t possibly have given anything more and that I did everything I could to run to the best of my ability. There is beauty in that feeling.

I also run to explore. It is the way I explore new cities or new environments. When I was in college, I think I ran every inch of Waco (except the sketchy parts). And when we moved to the outskirts of Dallas, you better believe I explored our new city on foot. It’s so much fun! And I get to learn my way around by doing a sport I love.

I’m one of those people that get jealous when I see someone running when I am driving in my car. I can’t stand that they are getting to run when I can’t. I know, it sounds stupid, but that is seriously how much I love running! I would run every minute of every day if I could.

Some people always stop me around this point, and say, “Britt, this still just doesn’t make sense to me how someone can love it this much to want to do it as much as you.”

Running is the only thing that I love that I am actually really good at. Running is one of the only things that I have stuck with for more than 10 years that I legitimately enjoy doing. How many other people can say that? Sure, it’s kept me fit and healthy, but it has also made me such a better person. I am disciplined and motivated in everything I do because of running.

Running as made me a better person, inside and out. I do better in other aspects of my life because of running. In school, I am more focused. At work, I’m not as antsy. I sleep & eat better. And I feel like myself when I run. Running as truly helped to make me the best version of myself. (Along with other things of course ;))

Some say I am addicted. And some say I’m crazy. But I am just a runner with a love for pounding my feet on the pavement (sometimes a treadmill) every single day.

The sport itself is truly wonderful. And I couldn’t be more passionate about it.

The saying goes, “if you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.”

This could not be more true. Props to anyone who is running out there in this world, but I have so much respect for people that run marathons. It is not easy. Not at all.

Marathoners train for countless hours per week, log countless miles per week, and still manage to have a life. Then come race day, we put it all on the course. We endure the pain and fight off the little voice in our head that says “you can’t finish the last 3 miles”; we find the determination and strength with absolutely no energy left to help us cross that finish line. It is an unexplainable feeling that comes over us when the line is crossed. It’s one of wonderment, exhaustion, beauty, pain, and pure joy. We turned one of the hardest events of our lives into something to be proud of, regardless of the time clock.

Once the pain & extreme soreness subsides, we are getting right back out there, ready for the next one. Running marathons has truly changed my life.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me through all my races, my track meets, my training, and my running days. You know who you are. You have made it so easy to go out for runs during holidays and on weekends and you know it’s just something I have to do. You are truly the best!