I always love hearing the “why” behind a runner’s journey.
Why did they start running in the first place and why do they continue to run. Ask a runner “why” and you’ll notice a sparkle in their eye as they share their story.
I believe it’s a given that runners run because it makes them happy.
image courtesy of Jess
While last Saturday’s race was less than ideal, the run, the pain, and the soreness of it all still made me happy.
A few months ago an amazing thing happened, the amazing team at Brooks asked me of all people to be a Run Happy Blog Ambassador! Flattered beyond belief that a running company saw what I do every day and wanted me to represent their brand, I clearly said “yes”.
This week myself and a few other Run Happy Ambassadors Jenn, Janae, Meghann spent several hours with the Brooks team learning the ins and outs of their shoe and apparel lines.
Stay tuned for the next several months as I work with Brooks to bring you information about the company and their “Run Happy” motto as well as host some pretty sweet giveaways.
Tell me why did you start running in the first place?
{Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. FCITC receives compensation and products for being a Brooks Run Happy Ambassador. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.}
I love hearing the “why” behind a runner’s journey too! I started running when I spent a semester abroad in Bologna, Italy during college, and my friend convinced me to go jogging in the park with her instead of joining a gym just for a few months. At first I laughed at this preposterous suggestion (I was a dancer all my life and was never athletic) but lo and behold, I got hooked and have been running ever since.
Love it!
I love hearing others stories about how they started running too.
I started running when a friend registered me for my first 5k. Then I wanted to keep running because I was overweight and that first race was hard. I didn’t want running to be so hard, losing weight was the only thing to make it easier. 90 lbs lost and I went from C25k to a marathon in 3 years. And now I can’t imagine not having running as part of who I am!
Congrats, Jess =) Looking forward to hearing more about it!!!
I ran early on in my childhood as a way to stay fit for the sports I was participating in. This followed me through high school. When I was at West Point, running was mandatory but I didn’t love it. I dreaded the formation runs and our PT tests! It wasn’t until that I was able to turn to running during my deployments that I found my real love. Running helped me through each of my deployments – it became the only thing that I could rely on day in and day out and I looked forward each day to my time alone.
Ohh I would LOVE to be a Brooks Ambassador. I’m totally jealous!! How awesome — and how fitting since you truly DO run happy, I dig it!
For me? I started running to get into better shape but since then, running has served an entirely different purpose. Running is my time to shake loose whatever is rattling around in my brain at the moment. I love the time I spend on the streets, just one with my thoughts, enjoying the moments, no matter how good / bad the run may be on that given day. It’s all about me.
I started running because I wanted to be just like my parents when I grew up! I grew up watching my parents train for marathon and a plethora or races and just knew it was in my blood to run! Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I’m definitely still on the runners high, and quite honestly think I will be forever!
I started running and enjoying it soon after my daughters fifth birthday. It was the first time I was doing something for myself and something healthy at the same time. As opposed to sitting in front of the tv eating cookies all day. Now she wants to run with mentoo sometimes but I still get up early everyday and enjoy the hour or more of running solitude. Happy healthy mom equals happy healthy household!
Yay congrat’s on being a Brooks running ambassador!!! So awesome!!
My mom sent me to the first day of 6th grade with a change of clothes and told me I was joining X-country. The rest is history!
BTW, I love all the new Books shoes!
I started running for two reasons that happened at the same time. I was 14, and I was just ended my first winter of competitive cross country skiing. I needed something to help me stay fit over the summer. I also happened to be terrible at sports (still am), my high school phys-ed teacher was a marathon runner (his PB was 2:30), and he suggested because I was small and slight that I may be a good distance runner, so I took up running.
oh my goodness. all those brooks on the table are making me salivate! i’ve been dying to try the brooks pure cadence!
I was not aware of the Brooks’ campaign when I made “Run Happy” my own motto a few weeks ago. I’ve been running for ages, but I started running happy because of my daughter. She just picks up and runs, screaming “Run!” and giggling as she goes. I want to feel like that when I run now.
I love this Jess & so happy for you!!! I started back in my early 20’s cause my gym workout center leader wanted some of us to train for races. I was already working out with other stuff so I di & man, what a challenge! 😉
Just catching up and I CANNOT believe the pee story! Not cool.
Um, this is AWESOME. Brooks is my favorite running company by far, and I love the “run happy” idea. Can’t wait to hear about you being an ambassador!
Long story short…I started running because my older brother did and I had to do everything he did because he was so cool (at least in my eyes!). Then I just never stopped. 🙂