There’s something empowering about every time I step outside my door and my feet hit the ground. The pounding of every stride liberates my every stress and frees me from my worries. It builds up my confidence, my fitness and the belief that I can and will be the best runner I can be. I’m not aiming to be the best, I’m not striving to be better than anyone else and I’m not focused on any goals other than my own. I’m simply seeking to be the absolute best I can be.
Not every run feels great, not every run is fast, but every run pushes me mentally to take myself a little bit further and harder than the run before. Whether I’m working on my pace, my distance, my stride, my strength… running gives me the ability to physically and mentally drive myself places I never thought possible.
Some runs are hard. Some runs make me feel weak and unable. Sometimes I deal with minor injuries that discourage me. Sometimes I want to quit, but I don’t.
I.Won’t.Ever.Quit.
Because I am strong.
Because I am able.
Because I love running.
I’ve learned that pushing myself through the tougher than tough runs are what help me build my mental and physical strength, my endurance and my ability. It’s the tough days that make me better. I may get tired and I may fall down, but I will always get back up, and I don’t stop until I cross my finish line. I run looking forward, and I only look back to reflect just how far I’ve progressed.
Every day I wonder and ask myself:
“How much better can I become?”
“How much stronger can I get?”
“How much faster can I be?”
“How much tougher can I be?
Every day I’m training to beat the runner and person I was the day before.
I run because I thrive on watching myself progress. I run because even on a bad day, I feel great after, and I never regret it. I run to stay strong and healthy for myself. I run because I love taking myself to places on my feet, in my heart and in my mind that I never in my life thought I’d ever go. That’s why I run for me.
I run for my daughter to show her what dedication, strong will and hard work is. I run to stay strong and healthy for my daughter, so I can live a long life and watch her grow into an amazing woman. That’s why I run for my daughter.
I run because I love running.
That’s why I run. Why do you?