Today is National Running Day

Today is National Running Day! I’m going to take the opportunity to tell you why I run.

I never thought of myself as a runner. As a kid, I had bad asthma and I did all I could to get out of running the 12 minute run every year.

But here I am at 43 and I am a runner. The past 10 years have been really rough for my health and my body has let me down several times (like spending last Christmas in the hospital!)

I Run Because…

I decided to train to run a half marathon because I need to prove to myself that my body can do good when I prepare and train. I also want to set a goal and accomplish that goal.

National Running Day Statistics

While researching National Running Day, I found some interesting statistics about running that I wanted to share with you.

• The typical American runner is just over 41 yrs old and runs an average of 26.1 miles each week. (Running USA, 2009 National Runner Survey)
• 48% more people are running and jogging than 10 years ago (Sporting Goods Manufacturers Assoc., 2010 Sports & Fitness Participation Topline Report)
• Half-Marathon is the most popular and fastest growing race. More than 5 million people completed one in the last 5 years. (National Federation of State High School Associations)
• Most people run to stay in shape, relieve stress and have fun. (2009 National Runner Survey)
• Regular runners tend to be happier than their more sedentary peers. (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry)

For a country that is so morbidly obese, it does look like some of the statistics look favorable. Maybe slowly, but surely we are becoming more active. I know I am.

Now, if only it wasn’t 90-something degrees on National Running Day. Code Orange on June 1? Guess it’s the treadmill for National Running Day 2011 for this girl.

Let’s Talk About National Running Day!

Are you a runner? Why do you run? How will you celebrate National Running Day?