Growing up with parents who were both avid runners, I was often nudged to join them on their runs. I ran a couple kids’ miles and performed surprisingly well for someone who never practiced, yet running never quite clicked for me. I didn’t have that spark of passion for it. So when my parents suggested I join a track team in middle and high school, I resisted. I had no desire to push myself in a sport I didn’t love. I’d rather stick with the activities I actually enjoyed, avoiding falling into the common adolescent trap of dreading practice for a sport I hated—or grew to hate.
It wasn’t until I got to college and was looking for a simple way to work out that the desire to run surfaced—something my mom had planted in my mind through her routine weekend question: “Want to go on a run with me?” While the idea of mindlessly circling a track for the sake of exercise didn’t excite me, running in a city I love, like Berkeley, feels like an adventure. Without a car, running became a way for me to explore the city on foot, allowing me to exercise while simultaneously satisfying my curiosity. It’s an opportunity to discover new places, watch the world go by, and break free from the monotony of routine.
Beyond exploration, running has become a form of self-care. I finish a run feeling not only physically stronger but mentally energized. Nothing beats the feeling of the post-workout endorphins kicking in, giving me a motivated start to the day. It’s also the perfect stress reliever: a much-needed break from the grind of homework or the endless scrolling on my phone—my mind filled only with the sound of the playlist I’m listening to.
I’m glad I’ve discovered my love of running later on in life because I know it’s an activity I genuinely enjoy, choosing to do it on my own accord. It’s a hobby I’ve found rather than one that’s been forced upon me through regulation in doing it as a sport. But it’s more than a leisure pastime because it requires drive and allows for growth. Just upon running a few times, I had already known I wanted to eventually run a marathon. Yet, even with the ambitious spirit it’s granted me, there’s no pressure to perform or meet expectations—just the simple joy of doing something that challenges me and allows me to grow at my own pace.