Runner's Forum: What motivates you?

I was initially motivated to start running again by a few co-workers. First, my immediate supervisor decided to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon a few years ago. He managed to finish his first marathon with a time fast enough to qualify him for Boston. Since then, he has run 3 or four marathons a year. He's a great mentor.

Also, another co-worker that was running last year's Chicago Marathon passed away. I'm sure you saw the press about it, especially if you are a runner. 

Finally, I am inspired by the thought of being around a lot longer for my children. I have 2 kids and have been on the road to obesity and all the ills that go along with it. Now, though, I am in better shape, have more energy, and am in a better mood most of the time!!! I have a lifetime to enjoy with them now! 

I've run as part of a general fitness regime for as long as I can remember.  When in primary school, I used to enjoy the Cross Country runs we did, especially when we had to run alongside and jump over the creek out the back of our house, cos we used to play there all the time!  I'm sure some of my enjoyment at the time came from the knowledge that my Dad was a runner also.  I found out many years later that he was a New Zealand Army Cross Country champion for several years, but he never told me that.

As I progressed through high school, I played various team sports and running was always a staple of the fitness side of things.  I represented my school several times, but was only ever an 'also ran' at inter-school level.

Come the Navy and again, running was a central part of our fitness workouts.  I finally got seriously interested in running for running's sake after hearing about Rod Dixon's and Alison Roe's international marathon successes.  Rod had been a member of the inspirational kiwi middle distance trio (the others being John Walker and Dick Quax), who enjoyed the  international limelight while I was a teenager.  I eventually had to give team sports away in my mid-twenties and started running seriously then.  I discovered running magazines courtesey of my local library and devoured them until I'd read all the back issues I could get my hands on and then subscribed myself.

I've found over the years that my principle motivator is my next race.  If I don't have a race to aim for, be it next week or in 6 months time, I am quite easily dissuaded from heading out the door for my training.  I am now a masters runner (age 44) and one day hope to win a prize for being the oldest participant in a major marathon.

I hope I haven't put you all to sleep.  (Both of you that actually read this!) Like kiwitifosi above, I love the feeling you get from being fit and healthy and out there doing it. Run on! 

My girlfriend motivates me to run without knowing it.

She is a marathoner, and is a very inspirational person to me.

Also, the reward of accomplishing a personal goal is very motivational. I like being able to set a mileage...and then reach it.

Towards the end of last year, I was setting one of those new year's resolutions to run in the new year. You know, the kind you don't keep... : )

My cholesterol was high, my weight OK - but could stand to lose a little.

Then on Dec. 30th, my best friend had a heart attack at age 38. He was more out of shape than I was, but that really hit me hard. He survived, but it was pretty scary. That's when I decided that I HAD to do something.

Like many of you, I want to be around for my family - I want to be there to see all my kids' highlights, and to be a grandpa some day.

I've found running to be great therapy for my mind and my body. I'm down 20 lbs since the first of the year, and feel good and feel good about myself.

I'm hoping to ask my doctor if I can go off the cholesterol medication, and manage it on my own...!

I run largely for my mental health. It really helps to fight bouts of depression and keep built-up anxiety at a minimum.

 Additionally, for my best friend. We are running our first marathon together in September. In general, it makes me feel well!

bit of an extended reason for me as why i run.

 i run to keep fit for boxing but i box because i live near ricky hatton and that is an obvious inspiration, i wanna be the next famous boxer from our area and do as well and emulate if not better his records ect.

I was always an athlete when I was younger.  My family was always active, running back and forth to baseball, softball, football, soccer games.  We used to go up to my Aunt and Uncle's house a lot when we were younger and we would all be out playing baseball, volleyball, whatever...If there were no games to play, we'd make them up.  My cousins, my brother (sometimes my sister) and I would always be doing something.  When I entered high school, I lost that "athlete" aspect of myself.  I stopped doing sports and got generally lazy.

At about 23, I started rock climbing and backpacking.  After I had my son at 25, it became a bit harder to keep that up.  I was at my aunt and uncle's house on Easter of this year.  My cousin was showing me all her trophies and awards for running.  I realized that I could do that.  I could run with my son, push myself, get back into a sport, get a part of me back that was missing.  I ran my first 5K just ten days after I started running at 31:05.  I just finished my first half marathon after a little under 3 months of running at 2:20:12.  I feel like a "runner" now.  I identify with a sport again, and more importantly, an aspect of myself that I had always been proud of that I was missing dearly. 

I don't yet consider myself an "athlete".  I think that I will when I begin competing in races for time, rather than "just to finish in a decent time".  I can't wait...that is what motivates me.

I've always been running on and off for the past couple of years, but i found that what really motivates me is being a part of a group of runners. I did xc in my highschool last year. Now that school's out, i've been running with a friend and it's different from running by yourself because getting lazy isn't an option anymore. I think we both motivate each other to run and it's a lot of fun :)

Thanks.  I've been trying to motivate myself to start running again, and lucky for me I found this you guys!!  There are so many reasons why I want to run again but just haven't.  It's nice to be reminded of the answers to the Whys.  why, should I get out of bed earlly?  Why should stop for a run before I go home? Why, Why, why?  Better health, a better attitude, the feeling of accomplishment, the great feeling of be sore for a good reason, really enjoying the fall when it gets here by running in the sunny morning coolness.  ahhhhh.  It makes feel good just thinking of the runs I used to do in the fall.                  2doggirl

FreeFlower

that is fantastic.  Good for you!  I started off in a similar position - just wanting to get fitter, feel healthier and lose some weight.  From doing nothing, to walking, jogging and finally a half marathon in September, I am enjoying the challenge of it.  Haven't lost a huge amount of weight, but shape has changed, dropped a couple of dress sizes and like you, feel all the better for it.

I run because:

 1) A year ago I was fat (35 lbs. heavier than now) and while eating crackers and drinking wine some of the crumbs ended up on my chest.  A pretty woman who was also drinking with me (and a few other friends) said "You've got crumbs on your shelf" - I thought "SHELF....... SHELF!!!!!!! damn, I've got a shelf and it's got to go."

2) I don't want to die young -  my dad was an overweight, alcoholic, who used WAY too much salt, smoked and had a high stress job (can you say "risk factors"?).  He had a heart valve replacement at about age 55 and died at about age 62.  I don't want to go the same way and until 1 year ago, the seemed to be the direction I was headed.

 3) My change in habits influenced my wife to do the same.  Yes, first she was simply jealous because it was "So easy for you (me) to lose weight" but after she got past that, she decided to take up a 3-day a week pilates class.  That's had a big impact on both her body shape and her attitude.  When she's happy, I'm happy (other married men can relate to  this).  I assume that if I keep up my exercise, so will she and we'll both be happier.  You can't have too much happiness so "It's all good" as far as i'm concerned.

4) Like junkiee, I occasionally run with younger people (grad students, I'm a faculty member).  I like to run faster/longer than them.