5 Reasons Why I Run...

If I had to describe how running feels, this would be it:

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Every time I go on a run, I curse myself, questioning why I’d willingly suffer like this.

Each step on my recent outdoor 15 km run felt like a bad decision.

Stepping out of my warm blanket at 10 degrees in the dark, running for 2.15 hours—all alone?

It made no sense.

Until it did.

The first 10 km were manageable, but the last 5 made me feel invincible—like I was on top of the world.

So why do I run?

It makes me feel like the main character.

1. As a kid, I wasn’t athletic.

If my childhood version could see me now, she’d probably be shocked and say, That’s not me… is it?

But when I started making money, I asked my friend, “What’s the best investment you’ve ever made?”

His answer? Health.

That answer changed me.

I joined a gym, started lifting weights, and eventually discovered running. At first, running a single kilometer felt like a daunting task, but I enjoyed it, so I kept going.

From running biweekly to weekly, and now every day alongside lifting, running challenges me to think beyond myself.

2. It’s not physical. It’s mental.

I’ve smiled, cried, and always felt like a winner after my runs.

Sure, I’m not running ultramarathons or covering 150 miles like some people. But for someone who came from where I did? Every mile feels like a victory.

My only goal while running is simple: just get through the next mile.

When you start, it feels impossible.

But once you’re in it, it just… happens.

3. It’s funny how running and lifting complement each other.

I thought I’d have to pick one, but instead:

• Running has improved my lifting.

• I’ve lost more fat.

• I’ve gained more muscle.

The synergy between the two has surprised me. Even though my goal was never to lose weight when I started, today I am the leanest I’ve ever been.

4. It teaches me patience.

Running has a way of slowing life down.

There are no shortcuts to finishing a run, just like there are no shortcuts to growth. You show up, put one foot in front of the other, and trust the process.

The same patience I’ve learned on the road has seeped into other parts of my life—work, relationships, and even self-compassion.

5. To me, running is therapy.

Just like writing — It might seem chaotic from the outside, but anyone who runs understands the rhythm, the calm, and the clarity it brings.

After my 15 km run, I swore I’d never do it again.

Since then, I’ve been running 1-2 kms daily, wondering: When’s my half marathon?

It’s addictive.

It’s growth.

Running is awful, and I love it.