Why I run…
Work, write, smile, love, eat, travel.

Monday, late October at 5.45 a.m.
“beep, beep, beep” — the annoying sound of an alarm. It is dark outside, 5-degree Celcius, it rained all night. Perfect time to snooze and go back to bed. One more hour of warm coziness. How tempting. But not today.
I turn off the alarm and grab the running clothes I placed next to the bed the evening before.
My girlfriend is half-asleep and murmurs, “Why do you do this?”
Too tired to answer, I kiss her goodbye, leave the room, and step out of the house. The air is cold, and it is completely dark — only street lanterns shedding some light in the darkness. I switch on my headlamp and start to run slowly. It’s brutally uncomfortable. After 5 minutes of running, my sleepiness fades away. The fresh air fills my lungs, and I feel the energy flowing to my limbs. Although it is dark, I start to pay more attention to my surroundings. I am out in the fields, alone. No other person is out there, and I enjoy the silence.
My thoughts turn inward, and I remember what my girlfriend just asked me 20 minutes before: “Why do you do this?”
Profound question for a Monday morning, huh?
But somehow, my mind goes along with the thought. When asked, I didn’t answer — but I know the answer. I always know precisely the reason why I do this. I do it for the same reason I smile, love, eat. It is the same motivation which makes me work, write, and travel — in short: live.
I do it because I get to do this.
It is that simple. I know this sounds like a cliché, but it is one of my driving forces. To me, it is a privilege to be able to live this life. I am healthy, and I do not have a daily struggle to survive. It is an incredible time to be alive.
Why not use it? Why should I not go out for a run and test the limits of my body? Why not go out in the morning and observe nature while it awakens?
Of course, my argument is flawed: Why do I choose to run over playing the piano? I also have the opportunity to do this. But this is not the point I am trying to make here.
It is not about what you should do — it is about the fact that you should do something.
Go out and fun yourself, in short:
Don’t take anything for granted.
Stay positive — go out and run or do something else. Embrace the fact that you can read this article. Use the opportunities you have — maybe next time you plan to get up at 5 a.m, you remember this line: “I get to do this” — sure as hell gets me out of bed.
If you like this article, please smash that clap button. Not once, but up to 50 times — you make the difference. But most importantly: Don’t stop until you’re proud!

