Runners: a love story?

[wambam]

Did you have a specific moment when you realized you love running? Or at least really liked it? Tell me about it.

It's raining and I'm bored

ETA: If you have a love story about your sport that is not running, that is also completely welcome.

[rnrun]

I realized that I loved running in mid-late 2014 when I forced my ass out of bed to run a 5K, even though I was getting over food poisoning. I had trained for it for weeks. It was supposed to make up for a super shitty 5K that I ran a few weeks earlier. I was hellbent on not sitting the race out because I wanted to redeem myself, and my previous performance really bothered me. Even though I had to stop at mile 2 to throw up, I PR'ed with a time of 24:09. I felt absolutely incredible when I made the final turn on the course and saw the time, and then cried all over H when I found him in the finisher's area. I still haven't beat that time but I'm determined to do it this year.

Honestly, it took me a while to truly "love" running, because in the beginning I was so preoccupied with trying to prove myself and not letting the mental aspects of running beat me. Everybody that has known me for a while is shocked that I've grown to love it so much, though. I didn't start running until early 2014. I hated running in high school and college. It always was associated with punishment. But after I got married, I found myself with so much free time. I needed a hobby, since wedding planning was out of the picture. Running seemed like a cheap activity to pick up. H was a runner, so he provided me with a lot of encouragement and motivation. I'm a perfectionist, so trying something and failing at it wasn't an option for me.

[cinco]

When I took the presidential fitness test in elementary school and we had to run the mile. I loved every second.

[stephm0188]

I picked up running because my husband told me he was registering for a RunDisney race to celebrate losing 100lbs, and he wanted me to come, too.

I don't think I've fallen in love with running yet. I like the sense of accomplishment. I like races and being amonng a group of people all trying to accomplish the same thing. It's still something I'm continuing to work on though as I work through issues with breathing and fueling.

My friend was a runner for years and said she loved the runner's high and couldn't wait to go out for a run and clear her head. I don't relate to that.

[ditzydi]

I've determined it's a love hate relationship I hate to actually run but feel good when I finally do. And if I miss, well then I feel sorry for the rat bastard who has to deal with me being a total bitch.

[itsme]

I decided to do CrossFit at the insistence of a few friends who were into it at the time. I thought they were nuts and I was overweight so I knew that had to be a bad idea. I finally caved and tried it in the summer of 2013. The first day was the basic class where you learn movements and do a short workout such as squats and burpees or something. I puked during the workout (made it to the bathroom in time) and once when I got home. It was love. I signed up the next day.  They have since quit.  I win.

I was a competitive runner in elementary school but we moved and that ended. I ran a lot in the military and was fast but hated every second of it because I couldn't run at my own pace nor could I run freely. I hated running with a passion.

After a little over a year of CF I had done a competition near the end of 2014 where running was involved. I got clobbered during that part of the competition so I decided I needed to work on that. I had tried running here and there but a mile would kill me so I never did more than just that one run. Even making it a half mile was like death. Well, one day I gave it a try and had it in my head that I would run a mile and work up from there no matter how bad I hated it and I WOULD stick to it. I ran 4.5 miles that day without stopping. I was effing amazed. Not only did I not stop but it didn't hurt and I had this nagging feeling that I actually liked it. Six month later I ran my first half marathon. And that is how I became a runner.

[ktzmoh]

Mine was in the final miles of the 2014 Nike Women's Half, actually right about when my profile pic was taken. This was the first time I had really trained for a race, the first time I set an actual goal for myself other than survive. Round about mile 10 I realized I was feeling damned good. I let go and started flying. I passed so many runners in those last miles. And I smashed my goal time (which had been to come in under 2hours, I came in around 1:53 and change).

That feeling of accomplishment was so intoxicating, that feeling of surprising myself with how strong I could be KWIM? Setting big goals, crushing them, and daring to entertain really really big goals... I was having FUN and I still am!

[Deleted]

On a snowy morning in Stockholm, Sweden. I was alone and staying in a converted prison. But I had a reason to get up: to go for a run. It wasn't fast and it wasn't far but it felt good to have purpose. I vowed to use running to travel the world, as a means to put purpose and structure in my life. And to justify all the food I eat.

[shauni27]

I never had a specific "i love running!" moment. It just sucked at first and it was hard, but I pushed through and felt proud so I kept doing it to push myself and see what I could do.

I don't always love running, but sometimes I do. Today's run in the cold rain was lovely, I felt great the whole time.

[farfalla2011]

My I love running moment has come just recently. I messed up something in my right leg about a month ago and I haven't been able to fully run since. I've been stretching and trying to ease back into it in the past week or so. Trying to ease back into it has shown me truly how much I miss it. It is because of running that I have (had) some sort of sanity with my commute since I generally run after work to let traffic die down (30 minutes to get home after a run, an hour if I go straight home). I've pretty much hated the world the last month and this past week easing back into it made me realize it is running that had helped me!

Also, I ran/walked on Monday and went back down to 90 sec run/walk then 3 minute run/walk intervals (week 3ish of c25k?) and it finally showed me that I've made dramatic improvements in my ability, the only thing that was holding me back is my weird "injury" thing I haven't figured out yet. It was super bittersweet. I'm really looking forward to being able to running at my full ability hopefully somewhat soon!

[luckystar2]

Well it's always love hate for me! But I think when I really started enjoying it and feeling like I "get" why people run halfs/full marathons/etc was last summer. I had just started running a couple years ago and hadn't run further than 5 miles ever. And even that was a rarity! But I started to have the faint glimmer of pushing myself and maybe just maybe running a half. So one day I ran 10K. I ran the whole thing and I was just ecstatic! Like beyond amazed and came home practically screaming my excitement to dh! I truly felt wonderful afterwards and had a runner's high for sure.

So I started training (or at least seeing what I could do) for a half. And while some days were hard and frustrating every week was kinda amazing because I was going further than I ever had before. Every week I had a new goal, a new accomplishment! every week I was unsure if I could really actually run that far...and then I did. It was a great feeling! And then to finally reach my goal and run my first half...amazing! One of the proudest days of my life. Just a few years ago I literally struggled running for 60seconds! I just loved what a sense of accomplishment running gave me.

[mrshandy]

I think it was after my first half marathon. I realized I was actually pretty good at it. I got 1:53:32.

I wasn't nervous before every run anymore. I knew that I could do it.

[kams]

I don't think this is my first moment by a long shot, but is the one that most vividly sticks out in my mind:

I was training for IM Boulder 70.3 which was (at that time) an August race. I needed to get a long run in, mid July, but we were moving and H was busy. So, I strapped dd1 in to the bob, got a few of those lightweight a&a blankets wet to drape on her because it was so hot, and I pushed her for her nap, 12 miles, in the middle of the day in July. It was sofa king hot and I felt so incredibly fit. I don't think I've ever felt like that for any workout ever again. My body was seriously a machine. It was when I knew I needed to do a full IM.

[moreace01]

I was in Seattle for work (this year). I was on the third straight day of on-boarding. There were meetings in the afternoon that I couldn't figure out why I was invited to, and I had had enough. Screw these people, I had to go for a run. Like...HAD to right then. So...I left and went for a run. It was at that point that I realized running had become something I needed to do to feel balanced.

[Wines Not Whines]

Yes! I fell in love with running after (or maybe during) my first race. It was the Cherry Blossom 10 miler in 2008. I was undertrained, I had trained mostly on the treadmill, and race day weather was terrible (cold and rainy). I had no idea what to wear in the rain, so I made some very bad decisions, like wearing a cotton hoodie. But I LOVED it. I started researching other races within a few hours of getting home from that race.

[libbygrl109]

It was when I really started running consistently in August 2011. I had been stopping and starting for over a year to that point, mainly because I had the impression that the only way to run was to go as fast as you possibly could. Something in me that day told me to just enjoy myself, and it ended up being that magical run where nothing hurt and I felt like I could go on forever. I ran 2 miles that day without stopping - more than I had ever done at that point, and they were the most amazing miles ever.

[clseale]

It was definitely after my first marathon (but remember, I ran my first full 6 months after I started running, so it's not like it took me years to fall in love.) I'm not exactly sure. I remember one particular 10 mile run along the river and our bridges when I was training for my second marathon. I was training alone (which was new for me) and I just remember feeling so strong, like I could go on forever. It was one of those "This day is beautiful, running is beautiful, life is beautiful." moments. I knew I liked it a lot before that, but something about that solo run sticks out to me.

[juliabug]

I didn't realize that I loved running until I had to take 6 weeks off when I got injured. It was fall, so beautiful weather and leaves. All I wanted to do was go for a run.

[wambam]

For me it was the first time I ran 7 miles (the most I had run prior to that was 10K). And then a few weeks after that I ran 8 and I got my first high lol. Now 8-10 is my favorite distance.

[sweetptater]

May 4, 2016 15:25:39 GMT -5 @vtcupcake said:

I fell in love with running on the day that I ran 8 miles for the first time in my life on October 17, 2010. I know this because I looked it up on Daily Mile, because even 5 years later this day still sticks out in my mind, and I've gone back to this feeling many times over the years. Here is what I wrote on my DM page:

Dear Old Self: remember not so long ago when you used to joke and complain about running? That you only did it when chased, or when holding the shift key? Those excuses that you made when you should have been exercising were pretty good, and pretty sneaky. Way to blame tendonitis, fatigue, cramps, cold weather, exams, etc on your lack of movement. Or when you'd think that 2 miles were "good enough" to satisfy your exercise hunger.
Well, I've got news for you, Old Self. You can take your craptacular attitude and suck it. Because I ran 8 miles this morning. In a row. (true story- no traffic, no lights, no nothing, BAM). The most you'd ever run before was probably around 6-7 miles eons ago, and that was chasing a little white ball around on a grassy field start and stop. And now, just look at me. I woke up raring to go this morning to bust through this virgin mileage. I've purchased gear and clothes to kill those lame excuses of yours. I plowed through those miles, through ankle pain and fatigue, to finally sit down with my throbbing calves to tell you that I did it. And now I'm pretty convinced that I can do anything. So goodbye, Old Self. Won't be needing your lame ass around here any more.

I love this. There have been many times over the last few years that I think how much I would have love to look back at my workout logs and see how I felt and what I was thinking, not just how much I lifted. 

Do you have a blog? Because if you don't, you definitely should. You're a great writer! 

[woowoo]

I realized how much I loved it when I was going to a work conference in Cancun four years ago and I could. not. wait. to run while I was there. I was like....who am I? I used to HATE running. Now I do everything I can to fit in a run while traveling...and every weekend...and before work....

In fact...I'm heading to Nashville today for a final job interview (EEK!) and sure enough...just packed my running shoes and mapped out a run for tomorrow morning from the hotel. It's part of life now.

[hannahb]

Sophomore year of high school. It was a really hot day and we were to do a trail run. We ran maybe 2, swam in the river, and ran back. I was wearing cotton everything and got blisters on my feet but I had so much fun.
Then we got in trouble for cutting out some of the mileage!

[labbie]

For me it was during a fall trail race at a local horse farm that involved running, crossing streams, various obstacles and LOTS of mud. I had so much fun, and loved feeling like a badass for finishing it. I felt like a kid again, "playing" rather than working out.

I realized I can (usually) get that feeling during any run- - so now when things get tough out there on the road or during a sucky run I try to keep in mind that at the end of the day it's just about being out there and moving and enjoying the outdoors that's what I really love and gives me some serenity (and keeps me from punching people!).

[melodramatic26]

Mine was May of 2013. I had just started C25k in January and ran my first 5k in April. Mothers Day was coming up and Dh asked me what I wanted to do. I wasn't sure of any other details, but I knew for certain I wanted to be able to go out in the morning for a run.

That was the first time I realized I was running because I wanted to, not because I needed or had to.

[irene adler]

This question has me all dreamy eyed and remembering all the little moments. The two earliest that stick out are:

1) When I was in grade school, we had to run about a 1 mile loop for phy ed. Even though my lungs were burning and I was SLOW, I felt so invincible.

2) When I was in college, I remember being so stressed out and scared of being in a new place that I decided to go for a run. I was pretty out of shape and it was short, but it did wonders for my mental calmness. This was the start of my running regularly. Eventually I was able to get up to the mileage it would take to get me to the lake, and that strong and calm feeling would always be there waiting whenever I set eyes on the water.

Side bar--I'm tearing up remembering this and wondering why the bloody hell do I now live in a dust bowl.

[irene adler]

Good luck on your interview, woowoo!

[brooke77]

I don't think there is one moment. I have had some pretty awesome runs though where my heart bursts with happiness and I.JUST.LOVE.RUNNING. Running will be part of my life forever, for sure. One love moment that sticks out in my mind is a trail race where it was misting. That was gorgeous...

I have also had some pretty epically bad runs =)

[notatree]

May 4, 2016 14:50:27 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

I've determined it's a love hate relationship I hate to actually run but feel good when I finally do. And if I miss, well then I feel sorry for the rat bastard who has to deal with me being a total bitch.

This is me. I hate the waking up early and starting the run but after mile 1, I get into a rhythm and it's a huge stress reliever. Before my half training I had only run 5ks.

Once my first half is over I plan on taking the summer off (I don't do well in NoVA humidity), but I'm pretty sure I am gonna miss it and will have to run super early in the am. Ha. We shall see.

[ditzydi]

May 5, 2016 15:27:20 GMT -5 notatree said:

May 4, 2016 14:50:27 GMT -5 ditzydi said:

I've determined it's a love hate relationship I hate to actually run but feel good when I finally do. And if I miss, well then I feel sorry for the rat bastard who has to deal with me being a total bitch.

This is me. I hate the waking up early and starting the run but after mile 1, I get into a rhythm and it's a huge stress reliever. Before my half training I had only run 5ks.

Once my first half is over I plan on taking the summer off (I don't do well in NoVA humidity), but I'm pretty sure I am gonna miss it and will have to run super early in the am. Ha. We shall see.

Yep.  I can't run in the am otherwise that would mean waking up at 4:30 to get out there and back in time to get cleaned up and get DS ready for school and me ready for work.  So what does that mean?  Runs after work in the TX heat or in the am on the weekends.  I'm looking forward to when DS is on summer vacation so I can go back to running at 6am.  

[froggy76]

I haven't had one moment but I've had lots where I just say to myself, "God, I love this". It's usually when it's more than just a run- either a beautiful day or a slow run in a beautiful area, or a race with my friends. Broad Street last weekend was one time when I remembered that I really do love to run.

Now getting off the couch to make myself do it is still a struggle!