When I tell people I run and actually enjoy it, I usually get some crazy looks. Sometimes I even get an eye roll. And honestly, I get it.

There was a time when I thought running was the absolute worst.

Growing up playing sports, running was usually a punishment. It was something you did to get conditioned, or even worse, something you had to do because you messed up. Running was never the fun part.

Then somewhere along the way, that changed for me. When I started going to the gym consistently, I would run a mile. Then it became, how fast can I run that mile? Then it became, how far can I run? How far can I go in a certain amount of time? What pace can I hold? Can I go a little farther or a little faster than I did last time?

Before I knew it, something I used to hate became something I genuinely enjoyed.

I think that leads me to the first reason running can be so beneficial.

It is you versus you.

You are competing against yourself. You have to hold yourself accountable. Nobody else can run the miles for you. Nobody else can make you keep going when you’re tired. Nobody else is responsible for whether you improve.

It’s just you. There is something pretty neat about that.

Another reason I think running is such a great thing to start doing is because it is simple. All you really need is a pair of sneakers and some willpower. A lot of hobbies and activities can get expensive. You need equipment, a membership, other people, or a certain place to do them.

Running doesn’t require much. Put your shoes on. Walk out the door. And start.

You don’t have to be fast. You don’t have to run ten miles. Heck, you don’t even have to run the entire time when you first start.

Another reason I think running is important is pretty obvious.

It is good for you.

Running is great for your physical health. It can strengthen your heart, build stronger bones and muscles, help manage your weight, and reduce your risk of certain chronic diseases.

That sounds like a pretty good reason to run to me. But the physical benefits are only part of it.

The last reason I recommend running is what it can do for you mentally.

One of my favorite hats says, “Take care of your mental health.” I think running can be one way to do exactly that.

Exercise can help reduce stress, improve your mood, and help with feelings of anxiety. Physical activity also causes your body to release chemicals like endorphins and endocannabinoids (big word not sure what it does) that can help improve how you feel.

For me, there is also something about going for a run and just clearing my head. For a small period of time it unwinds me and gets me away from stresses.

So yes, running is hard. And yes, when you first start, it might suck with a capital S. But don’t all of those benefits make it sound worth it?

Now, maybe running isn’t for you right now. That’s OK. Walk. Set a goal to walk a certain distance. Challenge yourself to hit a certain number of steps. Try to go a little farther than you did last week. Use it as another opportunity to compete against yourself and accomplish something you didn’t think you could do.

I recently saw a quote on Instagram that was basically saying how incredible the human body is and how we shouldn’t limit its potential by staying stagnant.

Our bodies are capable of some pretty amazing things. Challenge yours. Take care of it. See what you can accomplish.

And most importantly…Get moving!

Isaiah 40:31 – “They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”