Developing A Love For Running

I started running as a little kid. I would often race my older cousin on the sidewalk. I never won a race against her. It was fun to compete against someone. I started running track in middle school as a way to lose weight. I remember going to practice thinking that I was a sprinter. My coach put me in all of the distance races. As I started losing weight, I started getting faster. That was my introduction to running in longer races. I loved running in the 1,600 and 800 meter races.

I started running cross country in high school. The coaches didn`t think that I was worth giving a spot to on the team at first. I ran in the first two races as a non registered runner. The first race that I ran in I was in I finished 27th out of over 100 runners. The next race had over 300 runners. I finished that race 34th. I finally earned my spot on the team. I would often go running in the summer on my own when I wasn`t playing on the baseball team. I would always run a 3 mile path on the St.Louis Arch grounds. I loved running there. It was always so peaceful. When I moved to DC, my love for running was still there.

I try to set running goals each year. I want to run as much as possible. I enjoy getting outside no matter the weather to run. I set a goal of running in a half marathon back in 2014. I also had a goal to run 365 miles. I failed at both goals for years. I was on a great pace to run in a half marathon back in 2020. My race was canceled due to covid. I`ve never run more than 198 miles in a year.

This year, I was finally able to run my first half marathon. I was so proud to cross that finish line. I`m not in the best shape of my life anymore. That time period was 2014 before I really got into the electrical trade. It was the biggest accomplishment for me this year. I`m on pace to run 365 miles by the end of August if I keep up my training. I plan to continue running in races no matter what shape I`m in. I still have the urge to compete. I enjoy talking to other runners about their love for running. Running is a passion that I will always have.We all have a reason why we run. What is your reason to run?