If you're a runner and you're like me, these are common questions that friends, family, sometimes even strangers will ask you all of the time.

The answers: Do I get bored? No, I don't get bored - I get tired, I feel pain, I get thirsty, I get hot, my fingers freeze when I run in the cold, I even get itchy sometimes, but I don't get bored. I don't know what it is about running, but it never bores me. Yoga? Yes! Running? No!

What do I think about? It's more like what DON'T I think about?! One of the greatest things about long distance running is it's my "me" time. We all lead such busy lives - I so rarely get time to think. When I run - I have all the time I want to think. I also have a really terrible memory, so only if I'm lucky do I remember what I think about. But, every once in a while, the stars align - I'll have a really great idea while running, AND I'll remember it! Now who is going to come up with the app that will record your thoughts while running?

Why do I do it? For so many reasons. I started running for exercise. I love all (most) types of exercise, so if it were just for the calorie burn, I'd probably choose something else, but somewhere along the way, running became more than exercise for me. That feeling when I ran for 30 minutes straight without stopping the first time? Pretty amazing! The feeling when I did it again, but ran a farther distance? Even better. But what really does it for me is setting a goal and then actually reaching it. In life, there are so many things that we can't control. But with running, for the most part, you're in full control of the progress you make. You might have to postpone a run because of weather and sometimes even life getting in the way, however, barring no injuries, it's just you and your feet. Speed work and training runs - they really work! If you would have told me last year that I would be running at the speed I'm running today, I wouldn't have believed you. If you would have told me ten years ago that I would one day be a two-time marathoner, I would have said you were crazy. Now, I'm going to let the sky be the limit. I will continue to set goals until my legs won't hold me up anymore.

But that's not even it! Perhaps the best part about running is that when I line up at the start line of a race or wave to someone on the trail, I'm surrounded by so many other people who are running for a completely different reason than I am. Yet, we're all in it together. We're a community. We get the same blisters, drink the same sports drinks, but what is driving us to that finish line can be completely different. So, I reached out to my running friends (both virtual and in real life) and asked them to finish this sentence: "I run because _______________". The responses were great, and I just HAD to share them with you!

Thanks for sharing - I love this! Really brightened up my Monday morning (even though it kind of made me want to head back out onto the streets instead of sitting at my desk!). There are so many great reasons to run, and I love seeing them shared here.

It's zen!! I love at a certain point, my mind clears and it's just me out there. No check lists being ticked off, no worrying what to make for dinner, what kid has what activity that day... Everything just floats away and I get to chill. I love it!!

I run too, just differently. I run using the Wii. I used to run like you folks, but I had to modify the way I trained my body for personal reasons. I'm doing long distance dancing which I call Rhythm Walking because I do love being outdoors and going long distances. I just dance now.