Chad Stafko asked a very valid question in his recent opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal titled "OK, You're a Runner. Get Over It:"
"Why would someone want to get up at 5 a.m. and run 10 miles," he wrote, "adorned with fluorescent tape to avoid being struck by someone who has the good sense to use a car for a 10-mile journey?"
Why, indeed. When you consider the time, effort and physical and mental stamina required, running can seem pretty daunting. But there's a magic to it, a secret understanding shared among members of the "club".
We asked our Facebook fans and Twitter followers who run to share with us the one thing only runners understand. This is why we run.
1. To run in a race that I'll never win. I just hope not to place last and with a little practice, maybe beat my previous time! --Melissa Brown Paruleski
2. Runner's high! --@SkinnyByTara
3. Running is the opposite end of the spectrum from meditation, but offers the same rewards. --Monza Hahn
4. That we are not really running to or from anything, but are definitely getting closer to ourselves with each step and each breath. --Lisa Danylchuk
5. How 12 to 20 weeks of training to run for a few hours is worth it! --Billy Semon
6. That it is who we are and will always be! --Lisa Grider Lofland
7. How to delay gratification and work for the longer/bigger goal. --@zengirlfitness
8. Having ugly feet. --Tessa Roy
9. We always have more to give. Our bodies will do astounding things if our brains have the courage to ask. --Kevin Randall
10. Fartlek. --Janice Leung
What would you add to the list? Tell us in the comments below!