For Any Reason At All

5 Minute Read

“If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to change your life, run a marathon. If you want to talk to God, run an ultra.” – Dean Karnazes

Dean Karnazes is an all-time great in the ultra running word, authoring several books and running ALL the miles. 

His quote is an excellent reminder that there are virtually unlimited reasons to get into, and fall in love with running. Our motivations to run will certainly change over time, and any reason to run is a good reason. 

Run for the Moment

For many, running starts as something small. A way to lose weight, a way to appease a friend who badgered you into registering for a race, or as a chore for "general health" purposes. 

Now, the reason we started running… is completely irrelevant.
The reason we stay running… is everything.

Soon the sport becomes a way to escape the demands of daily life - a chance to find clarity and release. This initial, uncomplicated motivation is not just valid—it's crucial. It’s these small, straightforward runs that often ignite the passion for running, offering immediate, tangible benefits that make us feel good about ourselves, both physically and mentally.

If all you ever did was run for the moment, you'd be happy.

Run for Change

And some will ultimately venture further. They sign up for a marathon (or literally any race that is significant, relative to the runner) not just to test their physical limits but to achieve something profound. The idea of mundane, grueling, long, and sometimes uncertain training regimine, actually starts to sound... nice. In a strange, confusing way. 

It’s a symbol of change. This is where running becomes a passion - when you push yourself further. And at this point, it becomes clear that you’re working towards being a new person. Someone who values effort, putting in the work, and earning every minute of success. You quickly prove to yourself that you're capable of more than you thought. 

Run for Connection

Not everyone will run ultramarathons, nor does everyone want to. Dean Karnazes’ quote can be learned from with relativism, and can apply to all runners just the same.

So… we can run for the moment, and we can run for change. We can also push further, and learn to run for connection.

The most profound connection comes when we go one level deeper. Running can quickly become a spiritual journey. At this point, your relationship with the sport becomes something… very hard to explain. Simply put, it becomes who you are. It’s a way to build yourself, connect with yourself, and do something you love, forever.

Change Over Time

It’s truly unique that our relationships with running can be so different, and evolve over time. Motivations shift, and what once began as a half-a$$ed treadmill workout for fitness can deepen into a lifelong passion - one that continues to evolve and grow with us. Recognizing this evolution is part of the magic of running; it reflects our own personal growth and the ever-expanding possibilities that lie ahead.

Final Thoughts

So, wherever you are on your running journey—whether you're lacing up for a quick mile, preparing for a marathon, or contemplating an ultra—embrace it fully. Each stage of your running career has its own value and significance. Reflect on how running has shaped your life, and appreciate how it continues to offer new rewards and insights.

Any reason to run is a good reason, and this mindset helps us build a routine we love and train consistently. And with consistency, we build passion.