Why these idiots run

They lace their laces up around 4 a.m., while the rest of their family sleeps in their comfy beds. A few swigs of water, a handful of trail mix, earplugs in and off they go, into the darkness. Owls hoot softly in the background and few cars pass by on the typically busy road. Out of breath, heart pumping and six miles later, the run is complete and their day has begun.

Many non-runners question why this sport is practiced with such high dedication and enthusiasm. Aside from being completely crazy, the health benefits of running outweigh each aching muscle and horrendous calf cramps. Everyone has a different reason for running. According to http://www.therunnersguide.com/benefitsofrunning/, these benefits may include weight loss, improved cardiovascular and bone health, improved mood and better coordination. Running, an extremely taxing exercise on one’s body, burns more calories than walking, biking or yoga. An adult can go out for a two to three mile run and end up burning 200 to 300 calories. Factors play into how many calories are burned per mile, but the safe bet is around 100.

This sport keeps the muscles pulsing, the blood flowing and the heart pounding. Improvements on one’s physic is noticeable after a few weeks of dedicated running. The Runner’s Guide.com goes on to show how running improves each part of the body. From stronger bones to a lean core, running is a sport that touches every inch of one’s body, enabling them to become a different person. 

A man known throughout the running and fitness community, Dean Karnazes has his own reasons for running. Having run thousands of miles, countless marathons and ultramarathons, Karnazes is a hero to many and the source of inspiration that gets runners out of bed in the morning. When asked why he runs 100 miles at a time, his answer was not simple. 

“Running has as much power over me as I have over running. Sometimes, when I haven’t run for several days, the balance is shifted as running gains the upper hand. I run to see how far I can go. I run because it’s my way of giving back to the world by doing the one thing it is I do best,” said Karnazes.

Karnazes jumps out of bed at three in the morning to go on an easy two hour run. He runs races to raise money for charities and to promote organizations. He pushes his body past any limit once previously set in order to achieve his goal. His activeness in the running world gives him credentials, especially when it comes to the reasons one puts themselves through this. 

When runners are asked why they run, their words tend to stumble out of their mouths, not making much sense. There is the ordinary runner, who is in it to be healthy and have a form of outdoor exercise. There are some who despise the gym, and therefore are forced to pound the pavement. Then there are the crazy ones. They are people who do it for the endorphin high and who own nothing more than shorts, T-shirts and a pair of $140 speciality running shoes. 

Sources:

Hopple, John. "The Health Benefits." Running Guides - Training For Runners - The Runner's Guide. 12 Nov. 2010. Web. 01 Apr. 2011. <http://www.therunnersguide.com/>.

Karnazes, Dean. Ultra Marathon Man: Confessions of an All-night Runner. Crows Nest, N.S.W.: Allen & Unwin, 2005. Print.