If you ask a non-runner why they think people run, they’ll probably say something incredibly logical. They’ll talk about cardiovascular health, clearing your mind, training for a race, or staying in shape. But if you ask someone who actually laces up their shoes and hits the pavement day after day, you might get a completely different list.
The truth is, the grand health benefits of running are great, but they are rarely the things that actually drive you. The real motivators are much smaller, significantly more specific, and occasionally a little bit ridiculous. If we’re being completely honest, here are the actual, unfiltered reasons we keep showing up for the miles.
The Shoes
Yup. Let’s not pretend that gear isn’t a massive part of the appeal. There’s a very specific dopamine rush that comes with unboxing a brand-new pair of running shoes. The pristine foam, the perfect tread, the smell of fresh rubber: it’s seratonin at its finest. Suddenly, your entire closet is organized by shoe type: the daily trainers, the plated speed shoes, the trail shoes, and the retired pairs that have transitioned into yard duty. Having a rotation of colorful, bouncy shoes makes you feel like an elite athlete.
The Petting Of The Dogs
I have an unspoken rule: if I see a dog (or other fluffy creature) while out on a run, it’s time to take a break. Running is the perfect excuse to encounter every neighborhood pet within a three-mile radius. If you’re lucky, you even learn the walk times of your favorite fur babies!. Stopping to scratch a dog behind the ears isn’t ruining your pace! It’s the best!
Listen To Nothing Or Everything
When you’re out running on your own, you don’t have to compromise on what you listen to. A lot of time, I’ll run in silence, but sometimes, I want to blast Broadway showtunes or listen to a true crime podcast. Whether I need complete peace, or just want to hear something that no one else in the house enjoys, I’ve got it covered.
Getting To Treat Yourself
One of the best parts of running is that little treat at the end. There’s no feeling on earth quite like stripping off the sweaty clothes, taking a hot shower, and cooling down with an iced coffee and maybe something sweet. I’m reward based, so it’s a great reason to get out there and put my heart and soul into my run.
We don’t always need a grand, serious reason to head out the door. The little things like the new shoes, the friendly dogs, and the sweet treats, are the things that keep us going.. When you stop to focus on the small joys, the miles start taking care of themselves.!
What’s the REAL reason you get out there to run?
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Good question! I think I like the post-run feeling, that happy kind of satisfaction when you come home as a sweaty mess and know if you have done your best out there. And then, of course, that first sip of tea after a run. Ah, delicious!
The little things are so helpful when it comes to staying motivated to run! I also love the feeling of being done with a workout before most people have even woken up, and seeing the sunrise.