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in Runners' Roundup, Running · March 15, 2023

5 Reasons I’m Lucky to be a Runner

If you’re reading this, then there is a pretty good chance that you are also a runner. In which case, you can probably relate to feeling lucky to be a runner! While it may be something we take for granted day to day, I like to take a step back and show some appreciation for running every once in a while. And what better time to feel lucky than the week of St. Patrick’s Day?!

After being a runner for over 20 years, I’ve come to appreciate my ability to run as well as my enjoyment of running. I find myself lucky to be a runner! St. Patrick’s Day is a good time to reflect on ways we are lucky, so here are 5 reasons I am lucky to be a runner.

So what are some reason why I feel lucky to be a runner? To be more specific, I feel lucky to be able to run and also that it is something I naturally enjoy. 

1. I’m lucky to be a runner because it’s a way to stay in shape

If I didn’t run, I am not sure what I would do for exercise. I feel very lucky that I found something I enjoy that is also good for me. While I do enjoy biking and strength training, the primary reason I do those things is to make myself a better runner. So without the running motivation, I’m not sure what I would do!

strength

2. I’m lucky to be a runner because it gets me outside

Especially in the winter, running is really the only time I get outdoors. I really enjoy the fresh air and vitamin D, but it’s just too cold to be outside when I’m not running!

sunday run

3. Fun running clothes and shoes

I’ve mentioned before that I have a solid collection of running shoes. If I could, I would wear running clothes and shoes all the time. I would much rather spend my money on that stuff than on work clothes! (I am also very lucky to be a Brooks Running Ambassador!)

new shoes friday

4. I’ve made lots of (virtual) running friends

I am a solo runner through and through, but I have met so many runner friends through blogging and social media! I feel lucky to have so many people who can relate to the ups and downs of running.

thanksgiving bloggers

5. Running has given me a side hobby/business

Running has also led me into blogging and coaching. These have both become things that I love doing outside of my regular work. I feel so lucky to have found these hobbies/businesses that I enjoy!

blogging

I am lucky to be a runner and lucky to be able to run!

You may also like:
5 Reasons to Give Thanks for Running

Do you feel lucky to be a runner? Why?
What has running brought you that you never would have expected? 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] says

    March 16, 2018 at 6:54 am

    I definitely feel lucky to be able to run!! I realize that when I’m injured and can’t! Running brings me such calm and sanity!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      Being injured definitely puts things in perspective with running!

  2. Maureen says

    March 16, 2018 at 7:16 am

    Running clothes are the best! I had to pack for a weekend away and the first thing into my bag was running clothes and my foam roller lol.

    I feel lucky to be a runner because it lets me get rid of stress after a bad day and gives me time to myself when life is hectic.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:09 pm

      That is another great reason to feel lucky to be a runner! I definitely agree with that one.

  3. Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says

    March 16, 2018 at 7:28 am

    Totally agree! The best part for me are the running friends and getting outside. Have a great weekend

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:10 pm

      Yep, and those are things I never thought I would like about running when I started!

  4. Marcia says

    March 16, 2018 at 7:30 am

    Being in that injured place right now, I miss running more than ever. I originally started running for health reasons and the calorie burn but it’s given me so much more!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:10 pm

      I’m so sorry you are in that place now. I know all too well that terrible feeling of having running taken away from you. Hopefully this injury will be short lived!

  5. Kimberly Hatting says

    March 16, 2018 at 8:08 am

    Total agreement with everything you said 😉 I always appreciated the gift of running, but having it taken away for three months was a total game-changer. Running is a total blessing…in the wind, rain, heat, humidity (and even on the treadmill).

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:11 pm

      Having it taken away definitely puts things in perspective!

  6. Wendy says

    March 16, 2018 at 8:24 am

    Yes x 5! After spending the day with MaryBeth yesterday (who I met through the blog), I am once again convinced that I am the luckiest person in the world to be a runner! I love my tribe.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:11 pm

      It has been amazing all the connections Ive made through running, blogging, and social media!

  7. Lesley says

    March 16, 2018 at 10:01 am

    I don’t know how I was able to get through the worst of my ITBS, since I couldn’t run. I did a lot of strength training and rehab, but I was never satisfied until I could start running again.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      Its so hard to have to go a long time without running!

  8. Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says

    March 16, 2018 at 11:08 am

    I too am lucky that I’ve made friends through running. We now even talk about other than just running!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:12 pm

      Yes! I talk to my blog friends almost every day during the week now! I feel like you guys know so much about me.

  9. Samantha says

    March 16, 2018 at 11:17 am

    I definitely do feel lucky to be a runner. After my lacrosse injury and relapse into anorexia, I was told I would never be able to do either of those things again… but here I am, running and coaching lacrosse for fun 🙂

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:13 pm

      Its even more meaningful when its something that was almost taken away from you!

  10. meredith @ cookie chrunicles says

    March 16, 2018 at 2:36 pm

    can you believe that was almost two years ago already!!! you need to come back so we can get our nails done and get pizza this time! also, I still have that sweatshirt in my closet and can’t wait for it to be warm enough to wear it since it has so many cut outs lol

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      I cant believe it was already 2 years ago! I know, I really need to come back without having other plans. I have a wedding in August but maybe Ill get back before then!

  11. Karen Bayne says

    March 16, 2018 at 2:41 pm

    Running gives me a sense of satisfaction and usually puts me in a good mood 🙂 I feel very fortunate to be a runner.

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:14 pm

      It puts me in such a good mood as well!!

  12. Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says

    March 16, 2018 at 5:58 pm

    I really do love the community that running has brought me! I would have never thought that it would bring me a career that I love and sometimes I am still genuinely surprised that coaching worked out full-time for me – but I love it!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 6:15 pm

      That is so awesome! I know it must have been tough to build your business but totally worth it. I think if I didnt have my full time job I would love to coach a lot more.

  13. Rachel says

    March 16, 2018 at 6:51 pm

    How the heck is your desk so neat and tidy?! I’ve got papers strewn about everywhere!

    I’m lucky to be a runner, too. Even though I’m not really running much lately. I still love it, though!

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 16, 2018 at 7:08 pm

      Haha I NEED my workspace to be neat and organized or I can’t focus!

  14. Debbie says

    March 16, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    Yes to all of this! I laugh at myself sometimes because I’m so unfashionable in my real life. I wear yoga pants and a t-shirt to work, and frequently don’t change my clothes afterward. But check me out in my running clothes! Between running skirts, compression socks, and matching tops, hats, and even shoes, I look like a fashion plate! 🙂

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 17, 2018 at 5:15 am

      I would much rather invest in running clothes than anything else!

  15. San says

    March 17, 2018 at 12:58 pm

    Yes! I feel lucky to be a runner…. I love being outside, getting exercise and meeting all these other inspiring people 🙂

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 18, 2018 at 5:32 am

      All are such great reasons to love being a runner!

  16. Farrah says

    March 17, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    …I really need to start running again! I signed up for an 8K with my friend and it’s coming up soon! You listed so many good reasons, hehehe. x_x

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 18, 2018 at 5:33 am

      I’ve never done an 8k! It sounds like a fun distance. I hope you enjoy your training!

  17. Cari says

    March 19, 2018 at 10:41 pm

    Yes yes yes on running clothes. Also, colors I don’t typically wear.
    BEtween the itch to play outside and ridiculous color schemes it makes me a kid again

    • Lisa @ Mile By Mile says

      March 20, 2018 at 4:55 am

      So true!

  18. Jennings says

    March 20, 2018 at 4:40 am

    Hey Lisa, great post! I totally agree with you. I am a runner too! I love running with others and it helps me to learn a lot of thing from these guys.Your post is inspirational as always. Keep going. Thanks!

  19. Catrina says

    March 15, 2023 at 4:36 am

    I fully agree with all your reasons, Lisa! Especially over the last few months while being injured I missed running so much. It’s so good for my mental health.

  20. Darlene S. Cardillo says

    March 15, 2023 at 7:22 am

    All great reasons.

    Definitely the friends I’ve made. In person and virtual.

    It’s often the highlight of my day.

    Sense that of success and achievement it brings.

  21. Deborah Brooks says

    March 15, 2023 at 8:03 am

    This is my topic for Friday! I of course agree with all of your reasons and so many more. So glad we have “met” through running and we have to get that in person meet up one of these days

  22. Kimberly Hatting says

    March 15, 2023 at 10:22 am

    Absolute. Total. Agreement.
    While running can be tough at times, it’s been a true gift. It was my first “adult” sport, but it’s lead to strength-training, cycling, stair-climbing & an even greater appreciation for walking. And that doesn’t even scratch the surface on all the other gifts it’s brought my way with blogging & my valued tribe of fitness friends <3

  23. Jenn says

    March 16, 2023 at 7:50 pm

    So incredibly lucky.
    These are all great reasons why. Getting outside and staying in shape are truly incredible reasons for it, but all the rest is such a bonus.

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Life Is What Happens When You're Busy Running Marathons

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Would it even be race week if I wasn’t a ball of n Would it even be race week if I wasn’t a ball of nerves and not able to sleep? This is my first big marathon in 10 years, my first time traveling to a race in 10 years, and my first time spending the night away from my kids. And of course I’m tapering so I can’t run off the nerves 🙃 #marathontraining #taper #richmondmarathon
Looked like fall, felt like summer 🍁 I was definit Looked like fall, felt like summer 🍁 I was definitely overdressed for this run but it was nice to not wear gloves or a headband! This was the run I needed a week before my marathon. After last week’s disaster of a long run it felt great to just run an easy 10 miles. (And these days 10 miles feels like nothing). I think I figured out the fueling and shoes 🤞so nothing left to do but take it easy, carb load, and get in the right mindset! Is it unseasonably warm where you are?

#running #marathontraining #longrun
Yesterday’s long run was not what I wanted it to b Yesterday’s long run was not what I wanted it to be. The plan was to take the day off from work, head to the trail where I could run 10 uninterrupted miles at MP (16 total) and practice my race day fueling while wearing my race day shoes.

What actually happened? All week I was stressed about this run and the condition of the trail. We had lots of rain on Thursday, and Friday was forecasted to be very windy. I tried to get in the best mindset possible, reminding myself that I won’t be able to control the conditions on race day. Meanwhile, I haven’t been sleeping well thanks to my 2 year old waking up every night, and my watch has been basically telling me that I’m losing all my fitness and need a week of recovery.

While I started the run feeling pretty good, after 11 miles (7 at MP) my stomach turned and I almost got sick on the side of the trail. I just couldn’t recover from that. The best I could do was run the rest of the miles easy, and needed some walk breaks. On top of that, my shoe kept rubbing my foot on top and I stopped twice to retie it. This has never happened before and now I’m questioning what shoes I should wear for the race. The trail was also in rough condition with several trees blocking it, lots of wet leaves, and rocks/sticks that I had to look out for.

I just can’t believe how bad I felt for the last 5 miles of this run and I can’t pinpoint the cause. Am I overdoing it with the fueling and can’t handle it on harder effort runs? Was it something I ate recently? The hard part is there’s no time to really try something different before the race, as all I have left is a 10 mile easy run next weekend.

I’m trying to remember that one bad run does not take away from all the good runs this training cycle. I’m using today to reset and move on so I can make the most of my last 2 weeks of training. It’s not the way I wanted my last big long run to go, but I suppose it was good practice for pushing through even when I felt pretty awful.

Who else has had a terrible long run close to your race?

#running #marathontraining #longrun
Spent almost every step of this 21 mile run questi Spent almost every step of this 21 mile run questioning my life choices. Like waking up at 3am to run 12 miles on the treadmill and 9 outside. This was a crazy week with a kid that wasn’t sleeping great and fighting a cold and super busy days at work. My legs were just tired the whole time today. It was really hard to run outside after so many treadmill miles and my pace was much slower than inside.

I reminded myself that this is peak week. It’s supposed to feel hard. If it was easy everyone would do it. I ran 53 miles this week and am not injured. The weather is perfect. I’ve gotten in every planned run of this training cycle so far.  I get to do this. 

And I managed to finish strong with my last 3 miles the fastest of the (outside) run. I owe that to a solid fueling plan and taking all my gels even when I really didn’t want to.

3 weeks to go until race day!

#running #marathontraining #longrun
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