For years on many runs, I’ve asked myself, “WHY?” Why do I spend hours upon hours, miles upon miles working and enduring pain, frequently to come to an injury? (Knock on wood that won't happen again this year!) I started out my Pikes Peak running with that thought – why in the world am I doing this? When I could be peacefully wrapped in a dream? When I wouldn’t have to be trudging after my mom, vowing to myself that after this ‘stupid’ Ascent, I’ll never set foot on this dumb mountain ever again. Thankfully, that outlook has about-faced to excitement about my next training run whenever I look at Pikes Peak.

A couple years back, I remember for Pikes Peak race registration, they asked, “Why are you doing this race?” Some of my favorite answers were, “Because there’s only one hill” and “because it’s there.”

And that brings up an interesting point – as humans, we have the drive to conquer everything, to let our dreams lead us, regardless of how crazy they may seem. With those dreams comes competition, and bets – exactly how the Pikes Peak races sprouted.

I recently saw a meme on facebook highlighting this exact point:

And run up mountains we certainly do. But beyond this, there’s always the push for accomplishment, to be “a part of something greater than ourselves”. To feel the rush of endorphins synchronized with the fast thump thump thump of your heart beat in your ears. And beyond even that is to train for resiliency. For running not only trains your body, it trains your mind. When you finish a marathon, there’s a certain protective coating that envelopes you from pending challenges. And when things get tough, the simple thought, “I ran a marathon. I can get through this measly challenge” can indeed get you through, even when it’s another race.

So that’s why (in my head) the pain is worth it – to feel a sense of great accomplishment for the day with legs leaded with lactic acid, oxygen deprived legs and muscles, coughing attacks from pushing to that next level at altitude, to experience the world, to share a great time with friends and family, to train a resilient mind, and of course, for those oh-so-wonderful endorphins.

So with every run, when my legs are screaming to slow down, to stop, there’s always that push through the pain to build more mitochondria and red blood cells, to develop an even stronger mind, and to make the most of every day.

Happy running!