Louth Running: Why we run?

I come on here every week and say running is great. Okay quick question: Why do we run?

1. Do we run because we want to get fit or lose weight?
2. Because we want to improve our race times?
3. Do we run simply for enjoyment?
4. Do we run for the social aspect?
5. Do we run to relieve stress?

Some get up at 6am when all are still in bed, some run on tired legs, sometimes it's not about the medals, t-shirts or times, it's about something more meaningful, hard to explain but hard to ignore, maybe it's about a promise that today we will show up.

This will probably make sense for a lot of people. When I started running it wasn’t pretty; I was slow and out of breath. But if you continue to show up, you will get quicker and better.

You need to surround yourself with like-minded people in a club, group or organisation that love to run.

There are some amazing "Running stories". I know a man who was in his late 60's and he decided to take up running late in life. A lot of runners would say it's never too late.

This man was in his late 60s, he smoked and drank, and had not run in years. But he wanted to create a better version of himself and he wanted to run the Dublin marathon. He trained, he gave up smoking and drinking and he did the Dublin marathon and he did it more than once.

Running is one of the simplest sports in the world. You need a pair of runners and that's it. Get out there and run. Always wanted to give it a go? Go and do it; it's never too late. One of the best things about running, maybe even the best thing, is the people in the running community.

When you cross the finish line, you normally are very happy you have done what you set out to achieve to cross the finish line. Sometimes, I have seen it and I have done it a few times. You have your phone and your medal and you have just crossed the finish line. You are on your own; you see someone else on their own; you say jump in a photo and you both are happy. You both understand how tough that race was and what you both did to get here today.

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We are all looking to get to the finish line. We all want a better version of ourselves. So whether you are running to lose weight or achieve better times or for the social aspect.

It's the best hobby I have ever taken up. I started in 2011 and I'm not going to stop. Injuries could have stopped me, but I wouldn’t let them beat me.

If you have not started yet join a club like North East Runners AC, put it into Facebook, or contact me for a couch to 5k: Niall Fergus - 086 1542192