Find Your “Why”
that’s runnable
The 20th Edition of your favourite running newsletter
Welcome back to your weekly dose of run chat.
A quick read of insightful tips and thoughts to help you with your running.
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You may have heard it before, but a lot of runners talk about finding your “Why”. What they mean is finding the driving force behind why you run. This can be a powerful motivator and anchor for when things get tough, and I’m not sure enough of us think about it. Like, properly think about it.
Something to Think About
Finding your “Why” in running isn’t about hitting every milestone but understanding what drives you to lace up each time. Is it the mental clarity, a sense of achievement, or simply the thrill of the journey? Knowing this core reason transforms the hard days and makes each mile feel a bit more meaningful.
Something to Ask Yourself
Next time you’re out there, ask yourself—what keeps you going when no one’s watching?
Article of the Week 📄
This article emphasises the importance of finding a personal “why” in running to maintain motivation and purpose. It explores aligning your running habits with your personality, energy levels, schedule, and natural rhythms. You’ll learn how to set goals tailored to your unique motivations, avoid self-sabotage, and identify potential distractions. With practical insights on motivational styles, the article encourages running in ways that feel right to you, making it sustainable and rewarding.
Track of the Week 🎶
They released a new album this year, which is good, but their self-titled debut album is silly good and I can’t believe it’s 10 years old. 🤯
This week’s Track of the Week, from the Album Kiasmos, is:
Bent by Kiasmos (2014)
Personal Lesson
My “why” for running is simple but powerful: because I can. There’s a profound privilege in having a body capable of movement and a life that allows me the freedom to run without restriction. Not everyone has the same circumstances—some may face physical limitations, while others may not have safe spaces or the time for such pursuits. There are areas in the world where it is legitimately dangerous, due to current conflicts and cultural oppression, to run at all, and we can all remember times when lockdowns in certain jurisdictions dictated that it was forbidden. When I run, I’m reminded of this gift: the freedom and ability to step out the door and move freely.
Every injury has underscored this privilege. When I’ve been sidelined, I’m reminded of the gratitude I feel when I’m healthy and able. It reframes every mile from something to complete into something to savour. My “why” doesn’t require a race or a personal best; it’s the simple fact that I have the gift of running. That’s more than enough to keep me lacing up and pushing forward.
Running – Life’s Metaphor
Just as a runner’s “why” guides their running, our deeper motivations in life act as a compass, helping us navigate challenges, setbacks, and growth. It’s less about reaching a specific destination and more about aligning our actions with our core purpose.
When the journey gets hard, having a “why” provides the resilience to keep going, not because the road is easy but because the path is meaningful. Just like in running, where knowing your “why” turns each run into a conscious choice, understanding our purpose in life helps us make choices with intention, allowing every day to hold value, whether smooth or challenging.
Final Thoughts
Finding your “why” in running isn’t just an exercise in motivation; it’s the foundation that keeps you going through both good days and challenging ones. Setting a personal “why” means choosing something that genuinely resonates with you. It’s tempting to borrow from general motivators like fitness goals or race times, but to sustain a meaningful relationship with running, your “why” has to be unique and true to you. This purpose has to be strong enough to guide you on days when motivation alone can’t. When your “why” speaks to you personally, it transforms every step into a small act of commitment to something bigger than just another workout.
A legitimate “why” is a real force—one that you feel in your gut, not just in your head. Whether it’s the joy of freedom, the desire to overcome personal limits, or the peace found in movement, a powerful “why” can drive you through fatigue, bad weather, and early alarms. The deeper and more specific the reason, the more motivating it becomes.
You don’t have to limit yourself to just one reason. Perhaps your “why” is a mix of goals: building strength, finding peace, or showing resilience. The key is that each one has to genuinely matter to you, or it risks becoming empty motivation that fades as soon as things get hard.
Take the time to sit with your “why” and really think about what running brings into your life. Ask yourself, why am I doing this? Why do I lace up my shoes each day? The most powerful answers will come from deep within. They don’t have to be grand or overly complex; sometimes, the simplest reasons are the strongest. You might find that your “why” evolves as you go, adapting with new experiences and challenges. That’s okay. The purpose isn’t to have a fixed reason but to ensure that every stride is connected to something real and meaningful to you.
Thanks again for reading and subscribing.
Run the runnable, and keep showing up for yourself!
Tommy 🙂