Elizabeth KrohnwhyirunComment

Running, you have become a part of me.

Elizabeth KrohnwhyirunComment
Running, you have become a part of me.

 Running, the most rewarding, frustrating, exhilarating, and agonizing thing I have ever done. It has brought me so much joy but so much sadness. I never thought me deciding to run cross country in the seventh grade would turn into me now running collegiately. Let me tell you right now…Running. Is. Not. Easy. On those snowy below freezing days when you wake up and want to stay under your warm blankets, you go out and run in the miserable weather. On the days when your legs beg you to stop or take the day off, you keep pushing. When you see that slice of chocolate cake, you have to remind yourself of your hard workout or race the next day. When you have an ache or a pain, you have to remind yourself of the bigger picture. When people tell you that you are crazy, you reply with I know. 


When people ask me why I run, I struggle with a response. To be honest it is a lot of work. Not only is it a lot of work but it affects my mood and my health, mentally and physically. I become frustrated when I have a bad run, or if I do not get in the mileage I want for the day. I get frustrated when I do not see the improvement I am hoping for. It is has taken me seven years to finally come up with the answer to the inevitable question, “Why do you run?”.


I have built countless relationships with people through cross country. I have met my best friends. I have had amazing coaches that have given me such good role models. Running fascinates me. The amount of benefits is incredible. Pushing myself to my limits everyday and challenging myself is invigorating. The feeling after a run is indescribable. Running makes me feel strong and invincible. Running has taught me time management, self-discipline, and mental toughness. I know what I do is difficult, and I am so unbelievably blessed to be able to run. 


Anybody out there that is struggling with reasons to keep running, remember why you started. Remember how ambitious you used to be. Have that attitude. Do not take it for granted. Trust me I have been there. I still go there. I go through hard days when I question myself, and wonder why I do this insane sport. It takes up so much of my time, and energy. I always revert myself back to why I started. I cannot live without running. Running, you have become a part of me.

- Elizabeth Krohn ( @elizabeth_krohn ) 

almostdidntrunAnonymousfrom high school to college running, injury, changedsports, soccer, baseball, ankleinjury, disorderComment

Running to an end

When I started running it was because of soccer. I ran for fun in the fall while playing soccer and then played baseball in the spring. When I began I never would have thought the impact it would have on me.

almostdidntrunAnonymousfrom high school to college running, injury, changedsports, soccer, baseball, ankleinjury, disorderComment
Running to an end
AnonymousComment

Racing to recreation

I have been a runner all my life. Ever since I can remember, something about the openness of a road or golf course has enticed me. I started cross country in seventh grade.

AnonymousComment
Racing to recreation
Claudia Smistekbodyiimage, bodyimageComment

How Running Saved My Life - Coping with a Mental Disorder.

"You will never know your limits unless you push yourself to them." Hello, my name is Claudia and I am 15 years old. I have been a runner for approximately four years now. You may be wondering what I meant in the title. Readers, let's take a journey back to seventh grade. Shall we? 

Claudia Smistekbodyiimage, bodyimageComment
How Running Saved My Life - Coping with a Mental Disorder.
AnonymousComment

Perseverance and Pain: Pushing Away Failure

In seventh grade, I was eighth in terms of time on my cross country team. That meant I was an alternate for the regional team. It hurt. 

Eighth grade, I didn't run. All hope was lost. 

Freshman year, I thought I'd give cross country another try. Once again, I was eighth on my team. That hurt even more. 

AnonymousComment
Perseverance and Pain: Pushing Away Failure
AnonymouskneeinjuryComment

Running Sucks... Or so I thought.

Running sucks. Or so I thought. Since my dad and my older siblings ran it was pretty much expected of me to run too, so when I was I middle school I hopped on the train and oh boy was it tough. I constantly struggled and quite honestly I hated it. I was the slowest person on the girls team during cross country (granted I would still finish top 20 most races) and I even had the chance to go to the state meet but I didn’t take it because I knew that I’d probably finished around the last girl.

AnonymouskneeinjuryComment
Running Sucks... Or so I thought.