Let me be honest about one thing here: I hate running. I absolutely hate it.

But yet, I do it. I’ve now done four organized runs in less than a year and a half, including one marathon (although that was not my best exercise experience). But all that said, it’s clearly not my exercise of choice.

So why do it?

A few reasons:

Efficiency–running is very efficient. I can get a really heavy duty workout in half an hour running. For cycling, I’m barely getting started in 30 minutes.

Low cost–I need running shoes and something to run in. I actually mostly use my cycling clothes (which I already have) for events, or tank tops (which I also already have) or t shirts (notice a theme here?). If I’m doing a longer run I need some lubricant (been using diaper cream or Vaseline). And I need water. That’s it. The costs are way down there.

Social–I know several runners in person and have met lots more on Twitter. In fact, a bunch of us just did the Ford Island Bridge Run. There is such a thing as positive peer pressure, and that can happen with something like this. Knowing my friends will be at the run motivates me to run too.

Constant challenge–I will say it: I’m an awful runner. That means there’s lots of room for improvement!

While I don’t like running–okay, I hate running–I keep doing it, and the reasons I keep doing it are the ones I’ve stated here. I’m not sure what my next running event will be, but I’m sure there will be one, which is more than I could say a few years back!

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1. me Says:
   April 8th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

   so i guess you really don’t like to run? 😛

2. ryan Says:
   April 9th, 2009 at 9:39 pm

   Uh yes, I really don’t like it. I prefer bicycling, but we’ll get to that… eventually.