Why do you run?

Over the past winter I burned myself out. Running and training became more of part of my daily routine rather than something that I looked forward to. I no longer found joy in the sport that I had once fallen in love with. Explaining this to my coach brought me to tears because I didn't want to stop running. This is who I see myself, and this is how others see me. I am a runner. 

"Why do you run?"

This is one question that stumped me more than I would have ever thought it to. Why do I run? I began to explain how I have goals such as running in college, and I want to get faster. Those are goals that keep me going, that keep me motivated, but that is not why I run. I thought about this for a while, and I thought way back to when I first started running.

I grew up dancing and figure skating. I loved them both, but they both were a lot of money. To get better my family needed to spend more money, and we simply were not able to afford the extra lessons to make me a better candidate in those activities. From the time I was a little girl I wanted to be great at something. I spent hours of my childhood playing sports with my brother and the neighbor boys. I spent an equal amount of hours of my childhood pouting on the porch because I was never strong or tall enough to win. Each day I would set new goals to score a point, or get a certain amount of touches on the ball. I soon came to the realization that contact sports were not for me, and I didn't have what it took to be great. 

School has always frustrated me because I don't get things as quick or as easily as other kids. It takes me longer, and I ask a lot of questions. In third grade all of my friends were put into the advanced classes, and I was the only one in regular math and reading. I got pretty upset, and it lead me to lots of tears at home. I work super hard in school, and I get good grades, but I have never had the ability to be the smartest in the room. 

In third grade we did fitness testing in PE. We did the pacer test, and I was the girl who was able to run the most laps. One year later we ran the mile. I was the first girl to finish right behind the first place boy. I had never ran before, but I had a spotlight on me. I had found pure joy in running, simply because for once, I was able to be the best at something. 

In high school I realized that natural talent will only get you so far in running. Running was something that I was able to work super hard at, and succeed. It is the one thing that I was above average at. It didn't cost a whole lot of money to practice, and it was a sport made of something that I admire so much, pure hard work and determination. All it took was a decent pair of running shoes, some comfy clothes, and a person willing to give it their all. 

This led me to think. I love running because it is the one thing that I am able to work for and get major success out of. Then I thought, that is what caused me to first fall in love with running, but that is not even half of why I run.

Some of the best memories of my life come from previous cross country seasons. Those memories aren't good because I won races, or I ran fast times. Those memories are good because the people on the team became a family. Spending every night before a big race together at team dinners getting to know each other, joking, playing, and finding a brotherly love for each teammate. The atmosphere at a cross country practice is pure bliss. It's just a bunch of goofy people not afraid to be themselves, running together, smiling, laughing, and coming together when times get tough. Every team has their own traditions, and those never fade away. If you ever meet a group of runners you will notice the heart of gold that each person brings to the table. Each time we put our hands together before the gun went off we came together as a team, to help each other, and to give one another support through this grueling sport. 

The runners high. Finishing the toughest workout of your life, and driving to the closest supermarket to open up a bottle of chocolate milk. Feeling on top of the world and stronger than you've ever felt in your whole life. Proving to yourself that you are capable of doing things that you never thought possible. Finishing that workout with the people who have turned into your second family with red faces and sweat running into your eyes. Pushing each other through barriers that one another never thought possible to cross. Crossing that finish line, achieving a new PR or a huge goal, and having your teammates waiting to catch you. Even the bad races, where we are able to learn from, and have teammates who still accept us and show us everlasting love.This is where the true beauty of this sport comes from. 

And it's not even always about finishing those gut busting intervals. Group runs where everybody is able to just talk, share some laughs, and enjoy the beauty of nature while running. Sometimes it's about the long runs on the prettiest days where it's just you, and your feet pounding against the ground. The sound of the air clearing your lungs, and the negative thoughts escaping your mind. There is not a worry in the world, and this is where running becomes gratifying. 

So, why do I run?

My love for running started because I was able to get up everyday, work hard at this sport, and win races. A sense of achievement didn't come to me before I started running, but when I started running I discovered so much more. I saw a whole new world of people who will be life long friends who I consider family. I fell in love with the sting of sweat in my eyes, and outcome of burning lungs. I found an appreciation for sunny days, beautiful places to run, and incredible people to run with. I run because it is who I have become, and I can't imagine my life without anything that comes with it. In the great scheme of things it is hard to think about why I do the one thing that most people hate doing, but I run because everything that comes along with this sport is true beauty that you won't get from anything else.

- Morgan Hykes ( @HykesMorgan )