what motivated you to start running?

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what motivated you to start running?

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

what motivated you to start running? Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:23 am

The biggest factor for me was a trip to Washington DC in 2001 for a friend's wedding. I'd been an occasional runner before that, but only irregularly. At the wedding, I hooked up with an old friend who spent most of the evening telling me about how he'd gotten involved in marathoning, and what a huge difference it had made in his life. He was never a runner or an athete before, so his story made my think. Then by a cosmic coincidence, the very next day happened to be the Marine Corps Marathon. Walking along the mall with friends, we unexpectedly encountered this huge field of runners. While my friends went off to a museum, I just sat and watched the marathoners go by for over an hour. On each person's face, I could see a hint the sweat and hard work that had gotten them to that day, and what it meant to them. It was such an incredibly powerful experience. I was hooked. Within a couple of months I was running regularly, and ran my first marathon a year later.

Bricks
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
Chicago
Joined: 09 Dec 2004
Posts: 222

Re: what motivated you to start running? Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2004 11:19 am

Actually, mine was quite similar. I was just getting into 'running' (stumbling for a mile or so 3-4 times a week) last fall to loose some weight and visited some friends in NYC for halloween. Just so happens it was the weekend of the Marathon. We went down to watch and I decided that day I was running Chicago the following October. Still very overweight at the time, I joked with my friends as the police cars at the back of the race forcing people to the sidewalks came through, that as long as I don't see those guys I'll be happy. I in fact ran Chicago and was in no danger of seeing the street sweepers pass me by. Ironically I returned to to NY as well to complete the circle. I am definitely hooked for life.

b-lansing

Wolfeboro, NH
Joined: 18 Dec 2004
Posts: 10

Re: what motivated you to start running? Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 10:27 am

For me it was to lose weight and to become more healthy. I work in a hospital and most of the people I see are heart by-pass patients and other vascular diseases due to diet, smoking and lack of exersise. I vow not to end up like these people! Betsy

Rickshaw
Runworks 2005 5M Racer
San Francisco, CA
Joined: 26 Nov 2004
Posts: 1157

Re: what motivated you to start running? Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2005 3:10 pm

Yeah, it can be a bit scary how sick and unhealthy you can get if you don't exercise. Not that running will magically prevent all illnesses, but I think it definitely helps in general. One important factor for me is wanting to stay healthy and active when I'm older, and enjoy my later years, even though they're a long way off. I've known people in their 70s who were active outdoorsmen and mountain climbers, and others the same age who rarely left the house and acted like they were about 100 years old. I definitely hope to be part of the former group.

Rustyboy

LA, CA
Joined: 14 Dec 2004
Posts: 225

Re: what motivated you to start running? Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2005 12:20 pm

I too was a 8-10 mile/week runner "hobbyist" up until last spring, when a co-worker on my first day at a new job came hobbling in after completing the LA marathon the day prior. She showed me photos and explained to me the training program and said, "It's no big deal. You could do it. I've run New York and LA three times each." Next thing I knew, I was going to the running store with her, getting fitted with the proper shoes, and slowly increasing my mileage on our lunchtime runs. Eventually, weeks later, she admitted, "I can't keep up with you." "Wow," thought I, "a marathon runner can't keep up with me!"

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