Have you have heard the phrase, “running for the shirt”? A lot of people say it. It makes me wonder why a lot of people run races.  I think about it the most when I run Race for The Cure in Denver. I’ve been running that race for years, and now it seems to be everyone is just to say they did……Of course, that’s great that their raising money to fight breast cancer (minus all that Komen foundation controversy…that’s a whole different subject that I’ll probably write about some other day). But, if you run one race a year, can you call yourself a “runner?” Or is doing “the Race for the Cure” just a social event and a ploy to make yourself seem more “cool?”

So, I asked myself: Why do I even run races?  I could be a “runner” without ever running in a organized race. I could run everyday…half marathon distances or even the full 26.2…and never run in a race. So why do I run these races? Why did I decide to run a race in every state?

Homer Doesn't Look like he likes running

Here’s what I came up with:

1. Most of the ones I do, the money usually goes to a good cause.  I really do try to find races that go to a good cause because I’m not that fast of a runner, and I’m not necessarily trying to win; so why not spend money that is going to help something or someone one out?!

2. Something fun to do with friends or family.  I’ve been running the Race for the Cure with my mom since I was probably in middle school. We originally started to run it in memory of a family friend that was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the years went on, we also started to run in celebration of my Grandma and other family friends.

3. The shirt! Well, seriously, it is fun to have all my race shirts. My favorite is my Tough Mudder shirt because not many girls have done that one; I like to wear that shirt to the gym…It makes me feel badass. ; ) Plus, in the future, I might cut them up and make a quilt of my race shirts.

4. Bragging rights! ‘Nough said.

5. Cool metals. I’ve only ran in one race so far that had medals. The Horsetooth half had a medal that featured the outline of the extremely hilly altitude changes.

6. Accomplishments. I guess like bragging rights, but more on a personal level. I don’t have to share with the world to feel accomplished.

7. Easy to see goals. Its nice to be able to set a date, The Horsetooth half is on April 22nd, and it gives you something to look forward to and motivation to keep running.

8. Along with setting goals, training for the races helps me stay fit in general – And I like the way I look! lol

9. And lastly, I run/race so that when the Zombie Apocalypse does happen, I’ll be able to out run everyone and the zombies to survive!!

These are some of the reason I, personally, run. What are some reasons you guys run/race??

***Side note: I signed up for my race in New Mexico. I will be doing the Run for the Zoo on May 5th. If you live in the Albuquerque area, let me know! Maybe we can run together or meet up.  I also Registered for another Colorado Race: The Color Run on May 26th. This one looks really fun!***