"During my 20s and early 30s, I realized how running made me feel better about myself and helped develop my self-confidence. I signed up for a multitude of races ranging from 5ks to marathons. With the completion of each race and the training that went along with it, I felt stronger physically and mentally. Especially after finishing my first marathon – the Marine Corps – I felt like I could do anything! 

Running took on a whole new meaning after I had my son and daughter.  I NEEDED to get out and run. I didn’t want to become that mom who lost herself completely, doing nothing for herself after having children. Let’s face it that’s not good for anyone! Running had become an important part of my life and it had to continue.  

It’s great that my children have seen how important running is to me. They know it’s a part of my routine and ask, “When are you going for your run?”  The best is when I get back from a run and they ask, “So how was your run mom?”  

As I’m in my early 40’s, running has taken on another meaning. Life has become so busy with balancing family and work. I need to get out and run to give me the space to think without any distractions. It’s during my run that I think the most clearly, creatively and get a pulse on how I’m really doing. I always finish feeling mentally refreshed. 

This check in with myself has helped tremendously over the last several years as I have cared for and grieved the loss of my dad, my mom and one of my best friends due to cancer. Watching my loved ones become weaker and weaker to the point that just getting up to brush their teeth was a herculean effort, has also made me appreciate every time I can get out for a run.  I run with a sense of gratitude; I have the strength and health to do it.  
I’m sure the reasons why I run will change again but one thing is for certain - I’ll keep running as long as I can!"

- Christie Y.

Via Find Your Inner Pace

“I think that most people think that I exercise everyday for the results. To try to have a six-pack, to try and gain muscle tone, to try to look ripped and look lean. But let me tell you something that that can’t be farther from the truth…with what we get thrown at us each and everyday with life, with what knocks us down with work, with what knocks us down with commuting to work, with what knocks us down with our kids, with what knocks us with all the activities are kids are in, with what else knocks us down with all the other stressors in life that in fact we are faced every single day and the time we live everything is constantly on the go…I exercise every single day so that I’m less stressed. I exercise every single day so I feel more confident. I exercise every single day so that I have more energy throughout the day and I’m not crashing in the middle of the morning or crashing in the middle of the afternoon or feel completely exhausted, strung out, and stressed out every single day. I exercise so I could be the best father and the best husband and the best version of myself by living a healthy, fulfilling life.”  

- Coach Dave
Westchester, NY

"My mom always encouraged my brothers and I to play sports. My dad played soccer at UNC and my mom played field hockey, lacrosse and was a high diver at WCU. Athletics is in our blood. It was always our choice if we wanted to participate or not, but it brought my parents (especially my mom) so much joy to watch us play. The lessons I learned from athletics are countless. I learned how to be a good teammate, to deal with coaches I didn’t agree with, to take care of my body, to bounce back after an injury, to be a leader, to be a cheerleader, to be a coach and it gave me the opportunity to visit new places and meet new people. Athletics also taught me how to set goals and follow through. In high school I set a goal to play field hockey in college on an athletic scholarship and I did just that at James Madison University. I have my mother to thank for exposing me to field hockey and fanning the flame of passion that was ignited in me."

- Lindsay Mc.
Via The 5 Best Lessons From My Mother

"I run to hang to out with my Dad. At least that’s how it started.

My dad was a big track star in college. In middle school I naturally did the track thing. I was fairly good and continued in high school. What made it fun is that my dad would come to all my track meets...Since that 2-3 mile run was something I could hang with, I started to occasionally join my dad on a weekend run. I couldn’t tell you how often that occurred but I definitely have those memories. Coming home from college as well as afterwards (when now I ran much further distances) it was great joining my dad for a run. It was our little time to chat, something that would never happen otherwise. In fact, I’d stay up late hanging out with my mom and then wake up super early to have special Dad time. Man, I’d go home after those visits so sleepy.

 So it was my dad who inadvertently taught me about discipline and a love of running. Make a workout plan and stick with it. Rain? Snow? It doesn’t make a difference. For as long as I can remember he was out there running every morning. No excuses.

Thanks, Dad, for that great habit!

Run to be fit. Enjoy running. Push yourself. No excuses.

Now I hope to pass that along to my little girls."

- Sarah
Via Find Your Inner Pace

"​My love of swimming is as emotional as it is intellectual. My father, who was a great swimmer, taught me to swim when I was very young. We swam together in every conceivable body of water for years, so swimming is inextricably bound to my relationship with my father, who was an engineer and a deeply curious person."

- Richard F.

"I love running because it is my time to connect with myself, my friends and to think. I don’t run with music most of the time (unless it is Rachel Patton’s “Fight Song”) because I like to be free of distraction and be able to hear my body running. Running has also brought me some of my closest friends both here in the QCA and in the greater running community.

My mom is the reason I run. I blame my “habit” on her! She would call or a race confirmation email would pop up on my account with a “by the way…I signed us up for a race” from my mom. She was and is my first Best Running Friend (BRF). Many times my mom and I will go for a run around Vanderveer Park or to Genesis West and back home. I love this time because we get to talk and enjoy each other."

- Sarah G., 37
Davenport, IA

Via Let's Move Quad Cities

“At first, I ran for my daughter, and I loved it. But after a while, I started running by myself as well…

I want everyone to know about the great health benefits of running, as long as you find the proper pace. I don’t want to encourage people with heart conditions to run - always get the go-ahead from your doctor first - but whatever you do, friends, stay active.”

- Michel R.
Via Running Room Magazine

"Running has changed my life in so many ways I can hardly list them all. I have more energy. I have made dozens of new friends, run races with my wife and my five oldest children as well as my brother, started a local running group, inspired others to run and lose weight, gotten a job connected to running and a number of writing opportunities."

- Pesach S.
Passaic, New Jersey
Via Runner's World

"It was something I had to do. It was how I wanted to remember her.

Last year, I turned 46, the same age as my mother was when she died of lung cancer 24 years ago. She never got to meet her grandchildren or see the life that I’ve made for myself. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of her. I knew I needed to do something special to honour her memory. I wanted to show her that I could live life for the both of us in the only way I knew how.

And so, in dedication, my challenge would be to run one race each month from January to December."

- Chantal B.

Read more about Chantal’s year long challenge in the Running Room’s July/August Edition.

“Running is a part of our lives. And it hopefully will be for a few more years. In Ireland there is a saying: those who pray together stay together. Well we say, those who run together stay together.”

- Kay O'R, 80
Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Ireland

Via Octogenarian Couple Finishes Final Marathon Holding Hands