People who don’t like to run would most likely describe it as being torturous, grueling, unnecessary or lame. And while parts of it, like speed work and hill climbs can in fact feel a bit like torture it is most definitely not lame! At least not to those of us who love it. And speaking of which, what’s not to love about a sport that lets us, as grown-ups, have all sorts of fun otherwise reserved for childhood?!

Like dressing up. Seriously! I mean, aside from Halloween, what other opportunities are there for grown adults to venture out in superhero costumes or tutus and such?  

And how about all the fun runs? Hard to go wrong with anything that’s got ‘fun’ plastered right there in the name. From full sized obstacle courses to crawling through mud pits to being chased by zombies or plastered with paint along your route, there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Not quite as thrilling as an amusement park perhaps, but pretty darn close.

Okay, and how about all the prizes and goodies up for grabs? You know, race packets full of free samples of the newest in protein bars or sports jellies. And most race entries usually include a shirt or a pair of socks or something. And can someone say ‘trophies’ and ‘medals?!’ Of course, you actually have to win these, but hey, the potential’s always there. Plus, as an added bonus for those of us who aren’t necessarily fast, most events hand out ribbons at least just for crossing the finish line.

Another fun aspect of running is that it gets us outside. Like recess! And don’t tell me that’s not the favorite part of any kid’s school day. Plain and simple, it’s an opportunity to get off our butts, take a break from our work, and breath in some fresh air. 

And what about all the other runners out there? Potential new friends, they are (pardon my Yoda verbage). But no, really, it’s true! Kids have ample opportunities to meet new people and make new friends considering all the sports and clubs and classes and programs they have access to. Grown-ups, not so much. We tend to stick to our limited routines when it comes to the people we see and the places we go. We don’t often venture outside our comfort zone far enough to encounter any new faces. Running helps us do this.

And last, but definitely not least, there’s running itself; the pure and simple act of it. The way it makes us feel. The freedom we find in it. The challenge it offers and the pleasure it brings. The rush of going as fast as we can. The satisfaction of going as far as we need to. What’s not fun about that?