What's your reason to run?

by Lucy

In my happiness and gratitude following the news that I'll be keeping my cabin crew role I wrote this. Being cabin crew isn't just a job for me. It has so many benefits, one being that it enables me to run with amazing tour guides around the world.

Both a tribute to those I've run with, and an evolving list to be added to from runners I will be lucky enough to meet both at home in Birmingham and across the globe.

Alongside my own, here they are:

Healthy body. Healthy mind.

To feel good. To look good.

To lose weight. To gain muscle.

To be able to eat more (I hear this one all the time!).

To eat whatever you like.

After your turmeric & beetroot superfood smoothie. After your supersize McDonald's.

To fuel the hunger inside you.

To move that food down and OUT (hoping no one's been caught out by this.. Like me!)

To enjoy some me time. To be sociable.

To get away from people. To make friends.

To fall in love. To get engaged (true story).

To be part of a community.

To lead others. To be part of a team.

To have endless geeky running chat with those who understand.

To get so out of breath you can't speak.

To go further than you’ve ever run. To go faster than you’ve ever gone.

To achieve a challenging distance. To win a medal.

As part of a training plan. To continue your “running streak” (look this up – not what it sounds like!).

To be the best in the World. To be the best you can be.

Because its cheap. Because its priceless.

Because you’ve read the book. Because you’ve watched the show.

To listen to a new album, radio show or running podcast.

To try out your latest gear.

To monitor your pace, heart race and cadence. To perfect your technique.

For its pure simplistic joy. To run like Phoebe from friends.

To get lost in space and time.

To enjoy the sun. To battle the rain.

To avoid being bludgeoned by tennis ball sized hail stones (another true story).

Using it to multitask.

To get you to a place you need to be whether that’s your commute, the shops or a coffee shop to meet a friend.

To get to a person you need to see (think Samuel's Airport Run Scene in Love Actually).

To ensure your furry friend gets their running fix too.

Because said furry friend is taking you.

For eco friendliness.

Because you were inspired by (insert running legend here). To inspire others.

After going to the Olympics. After stumbling across a parkrun.

Because your friend, partner or personal trainer made you do it.

To purposefully encourage others to do it. To inspire others without even knowing it.

To get intentionally lost in a new place. Because you’d feel lost without it.

To explore a new city. To see more of your home.

Because you hate it and you like to challenge yourself.

Because you love it.

Because someone said you couldn’t.

Because the doctors told you it was impossible.

Because you know you can.

To raise money for a cause close to your heart.

To think. For escapism.

As therapy. As medication.

To confront your demons.

Because you were feeling low.

For an endomorphin high.

To forget someone. To remember someone.

To bring someone back. To save someone's life.

To replace an addiction. Because you are addicted.

To be the best version of you. To realize you aren't perfect.

A million reasons. Or just because.

What's your reason I can add to the list?

#WHYIRUN