Why do we run?

Heart pounding so hard you can hear it in your ears. So cold outside that you can see your every breath in front of your face, in between wiping the tingling mess of sweat and rain from your eyes so that you can actually see that is. Your legs screaming in pain as your every step hits the floor with a thud.

It doesn't sound so attractive when you put it like that does it? So why do thousands of people up and down the country, not to mention far and wide across the world, pull on the trainers every day without fail?

The truth is that the benefits of this simple sport are numerous. But everybody participates for a different reason. Let's see if we can work out a few, and whether any of you fit in with each of the categories in turn.

• Health - possibly one of the most important reasons behind many people new to running taking up the sport is the rich health benefits which can be reaped through putting in the hard miles. For instance, my own dad took up running this year in order to 'get in shape'. More calories can be burned per hour through running than any other sport or physical activity. Which makes it the perfect way for people who are looking to lose weight, get rid of the beer gut, or maintain a balanced lifestyle to reinvent themselves. Ultimately, by taking up running and getting fitter, it can help people to potentially extend their life expectancy.
• Mental - whether or not you enjoy the actual process of running, or see it as fun during participation, the mental benefits of our sport are very much real. When a person completes exercise their body naturally releases a chemical called endorphins. This is defined as a 'morphine-like substance', which can cause feelings of euphoria. This also be described as the 'runner's high' or the buzz that keeps bringing runners back for more time and time again.
• Social - one of the greatest advantages of running that I personally have noticed since becoming a member of a running club is the feeling of belonging, acceptance and community amongst fellow runners. Both within the running club itself, but also throughout the local running community there is a huge network of clubs, teams and groups where people from all walks of life can come together and share a common passion. I can honestly say that this is the best benefit that I have found since I took up running seriously. But then again I am biased, without the sport I probably would never have met my girlfriend! Some people do like to run, or train on their own, but certainly running in groups or with friends makes the activity easier and time pass more quickly.
• Competition - whatever standard or level you are able to perform at,participation in races is a big part of this sport once you take the plunge into becoming a club runner. Whether you are fighting for the front positions, racing against the clock, trying to beat a known 'rival' of a similar standard, beat your previous PB, or simply looking to get around the course and finish the event. Running can provide a great feeling of personal challenge and give you a drive to succeed or improve yourself. I have been lucky to have a certain degree of success recently within my own local running community through winning races, but if anything this success only drives me to want more and to set myself even higher standards for the future.

Whatever your own personal running story, and reasons for participation are, there is certainly a lot out there to keep us all coming back for more day after day. 

If you have enjoyed this article, or it has got you thinking about what exactly makes you run, please feel free to comment and promote debate :)