Friday Five: 5 Reasons to Run



Happy Friday, y'all!  Joe and I are on our way up to Virginia for the weekend.  I'm looking forward to hanging out with my family and friends, as well as introducing Baby Fish to her uncle Eric and aunt Sara for the first time!

Since it's Friday, it's time for another Friday Five post!

>In honor of National Running Day on Wednesday, I decided to share five reasons why you should run!  This goes right along with this week's Friday Five theme, so I'm linking up with Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia.

1. Stress Relief

Exercise of any kind is a great way to relieve stress, but I think running also gives you some mental stress relief, as well.  I tend to do some great thinking while out there pounding the pavement.  Plus, no matter how I feel before a run, I always come back feeling refreshed and renewed . Sweaty, yes, but not stressed :)

2. The Races
Races are great for two reasons.  First, running a race gives you a goal to work toward.  Training for that race helps you to commit to running as you train for it.  Also, having a tangible reason to run also gives it more of a purpose in your life.

My goal of running a half marathon was great motivation!

Second, they're just fun!  The atmosphere on race day is always exciting.  Most races help raise money for a good cause.  Some races are themed, which makes them a lot of fun.  And, the feeling of accomplishment after meeting your goals for a race is unmatched!

3. The Community

The community of runners is simply amazing!  Everyone is so supportive of one another and always willing to lend a helping hand.  I've experienced this in Facebook communities (like Team #runDisney), on race day, and by reading articles online.

4. It's a great individual sport
While some people do compete with others when it comes to running, those of us that aren't going to win races still have someone to beat-ourselves!!  Running is one of the only sports where you can accomplish so much without getting first place or winning.

You can set individual goals, and meeting them makes you a winner.  You can even compete with yourself without running races!  Just set out to beat a certain time on the same route around your neighborhood.  That'll give you the same sense of accomplishment you'd get meeting your goals at a race.

5. (if) You enjoy it!
I've said it many times: find an exercise that you enjoy doing, and do it!  You are much more likely to stick with something that you enjoy rather than something that you feel like you should do or that someone is telling you to do.  If you enjoy running, then you should definitely run!!

I personally enjoy running for the reasons listed above, but if you don't enjoy running, then find something you do like to do! 

Question for you: What's a reason why you run?