As you know, the Tuesdays on the Run link up has been retired. There is now a new link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner). The new link up is called Tuesday Topics.
Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies.
Today’s Topic (appropriately as we approach Valentine’s Day) is What Do You Love About Running.
I could go on and on but I will limit it… (they are not in order of importance… they are actually listed in reverse order.)
- Bling
Yup, it’s cool to get medals and awards. It is a concrete symbol of your accomplishment. Some are pretty too.
- 2:11:23
- Opportunities to Travel
I don’t travel as much as other runners but I have gotten to visit California, Florida, Vermont, Philly, NJ, Las Vegas, Montreal and Paris!! I may not have gone to these locations if I had not registered for a race.
- Paris
- Races
I would race every weekend if I could afford it. I love all distances though my favorites are the 5k and the half marathon. The excitement at the start line with the other runners and the feeling of accomplishment when you cross that finish line can’t be beat.
- Local Running Friends
They are the best…. I don’t know where I’d be without them. Whether it is sharing some of my miserable long runs in the cold or seeing their smiling faces before a race or just chatting about running at a post-run brunch. Running Life is better with friends to support you.
- Shamrock Shuffle
- Prizes awarded based on your Age
I love that that I am only competing against other women and the ones that are in my age group. I have played competitive tennis and unfortunately, it’s just WIN or Lose.
- Blogging
If I didn’t run, I probably wouldn’t blog and I would have missed out on meeting some fabulous ladies. My blog started as motivation to keep on running and now it is so much more… a way to stay connected to the running community.
- WS 3 – 2019 with Judy
- with Cari
- How it makes me feel
Healthy, strong, confident, empowered, young(er)…
- 20 km de Paris
- France Run 8K
Happy Running! What do you love most about running? Do share!
Bling really doesn’t motivate me. I enjoy a nice medal, of course, but that’s not super important to me.
I probably would have no friends if it weren’t for running! And I love exploring new places on foot.
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I am sure that is not true about friends. if you stop running, you’ll find another interest and then make new friends.
Me too about travel. I love exploring new places but you can also do that without being a runner as long as you can walk. I probably visited more places before I was a runner.
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It’s definitely harder to make friends as you get older. Not just me, I know others who’ve moved new places & struggled to make friends.
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I 100% agree with all the reasons you listed! My friendships with women who run are some of the relationships I hold most dear to my heart.
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We are both very lucky!
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So many things to love about running! I definitely love the electric energy at the starting line of a race. And getting to see new places is always great! I love that picture of you running on the bridge! I really would love to do one of the big NYC races at some point!
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If you can fit that in, do it the weekend of the nYC half.
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Great post! I know when I started running it was really all about the race experience for me and I only did the training runs because I needed them to be ready for the race. But now, I’ve come to enjoy just running, being outside, and that it can be alone time or time to catch up with friends.
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Same here. Races are great. But there is so much more.
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For being non-athletic for the first 46 years of my life, I still love the fact that I. AM. RUNNING. more than anything. 🙂
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Exactly and then a non-runner until age 55. I definite am impressed with myself.
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So much to love about running… I only run a handful of races each year, but I always love the race medals (less so the t-shirts).
I love that I have met so many cool runners through social media and blogs. It’s definitely a great community!
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I’m not a fan of the shirt. But I do love connecting with other runners. I wish I could meet you all in person.
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Great reasons but the last one is my favorite – “How it makes me feel –
Healthy, strong, confident, empowered, young(er)…” Yes and YES!!!!
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Yes. That is number one.
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These are fabulous and so many if not all really resonate with me. When I started running,I had 2 kids under the age of 4 and was struggling to find balance. Running gave me that – gave me time to be “me” and to think. And it expanded to being so much more – I’ve bonded with so many runners, both in person and online, I’ve loved blogging about it, I’ve loved all the races and the bling, and of course all the running outfits!
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I just read your post Spot on.
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Definitely the friends I have made along the way! They make running so fun!
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Yes they did. I’d be lost without them.
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The friends I’ve made through running (both in real life and blogging) are priceless! I have no idea what I did for a social life before running.
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I played tennis so I had tennis friends (and they started me running) but before that???
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I love all those photos! Running friends are the best and a big reason why I love running.
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Yes. I agree. Virtual and iRL.
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There are so many things I love about running! I love the accomplished filling it gives me. I love that it helps me live healthier physically and mentally. I love that I meet new people and that I gain friends from it!
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I agree. Running is a gift. I try to appreciate every time I do it.
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There are so many things to love about running! The friends gained through it are a big thing for me!
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Me too. Hope to meet you some day
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Yes same here!
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So jealous of your Paris race. Those pictures look fabulous every time I see them! 🙂 I agree with all of the points you made here. Yay for age group awards!
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Yes but sometimes those awards are elusive.
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Right now, what I really love about running is the friendships I’ve made!
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Yes yes
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Pingback: Tuesday Topics on Thursday: What I love about running – She Runs by the Seashore
All these things! Well, I’ve never won anything besides the standard bling, YET, but I imagine it would be incredible to win something!
Travel and bling are my favorites on that list!
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That’s because you are too young. Travel is great. We have to meet up in Fla or NY.
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To no surprise, I agree with you on people/travel and self confidence.
I actually don’t care about the bling. Well that’s not true, I enjoy a fun medal but it’s not a motivator for me. I remember being excited about the Women’s Mini because it had a medal. Now I look at it as I’d rather it be cheaper, because I don’t necessarily want the medal. I know i”m rare in that
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I agree. It’s in descending order so bling is the least important.
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