As the weather continues to improve and the days become long and warm, you will most likely see people running alongside roads, throughout parks and other various locations. With the unbearably cold winter officially being over and the smell of new grass and warm paved roads filling Apple Valley, the number of runners outside will continue to increase. As you observe these runners some of you may ask yourselves why? Why on earth are these people spending their time running? When asked if she enjoys running, Jordan DeVille responded, “Are you crazy I can’t stand running and I don’t understand how anyone could enjoy it. It gives me cramps and burns my throat after only a short distance!”. That is a very strong opinion but a very common one among others. However, for some people running is a wonderful thing and they can’t imagine their lives without it.
For me, being able to run is a blessing. Some days when I run I feel confident and energized. Whereas other days while I am running I feel calm and levelheaded. Everyone who runs has different motivations for getting their feet moving. For some it’s the desire to lose weight, for some its them training for a race, and for others its just a daily activity which allows them to move and enjoy the outdoors. Running is a very personal thing and no one person will give you the exact same answer when asked why they do it. One lifelong runner, Joel Kiekbusch tells me, “I run because as a child it was the only thing I was good at and through the years it has been a wonderful method for distressing myself”. Running gives a person the time to reflect and organize their thoughts, which we all know can be much needed on stressful days.
Also, running is healthy and improves a person’s overall health and fitness. Sure there are other methods for getting a good cardio workout but running is incomparable. “I personally don’t enjoy using cardio machines at the gym, running just feels so natural” explains Kiekbusch. For a person trying to stay in shape it may be rather inconvenient to go to a gym for a daily workout. If you are a runner all you have to do is throw on a pair of running shoes and head out your front door. Running is a workout out in it’s simplest form. “The thought of driving all the way to Lifetime is often enough to prevent me from exercising. During the warmer months of the year I love that I can just walk outside and go for a run under the sun” explains April Webster. With April being my neighbor, I often join her for runs throughout the neighborhood. One way to motivate yourself to run is to bring along a partner to keep you going strong and it also isn’t a bad idea for your safety.
Going back to Jordan DeVille’s question, “Why Run?”. Well you should run because of its convenience, its benefits to your health and fitness, and because everyone can use some personal time to sort through thoughts while enjoying the outdoors. I encourage you all to take advantage of the beautiful summer and try out running. Whatever is keeping you from running I am sure there is a solution. If it’s physical discomfort, start out slow and with consistency that will go away. If boredom creeps up on you while running, then bring along an iPod. When you see those people out running, hopefully you will better understand why they do it and why you should give it a shot!
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