Why You Shouldn’t Run

I am an avid runner, but I hear people tell me all the time they wished they could run. Many tell me that they feel guilty that they don’t exercise, so I thought I would make them feel better by giving reasons not to run.

No one needs that many t-shirts.

Every time you race, you will receive a t-shirt to commemorate the race. Before you know it, your drawer will be overflowing, and you won’t feel right getting rid of them.

It is too hard to keep up with all the new friends you will make.

Running is a social activity, and because it relieves stress, most runners are happy and willing to chat. I met most of my best friends at running events. If you would rather not have a lot of friends, don’t run.

Your neighbors will think you are crazy.

Running becomes routine and slightly obsessive because you see the physical and mental improvements, and you want that to continue. Weather will not keep you inside, and your neighbors will watch you running in the rain, the snow, or bone-chilling cold and wonder what is wrong with you.

Although you will start out small you will discover that 5ks are a gateway drug to longer distances.

One day you decide to do a 5k. It seems harmless because it is only three miles, but then your running friends start suggesting longer distances, and theme races like color runs and zombie chases. Before you know it, you will consider a second job to pay for races.

You will find a competitive side, and it won’t always be pretty.

When you run, you can set goals, and when you complete those, you can make new ones. You see a continual improvement and one way to judge that is to compare yourself to the performances of others. Suddenly a silly podium medal seems like gold, and you find yourself plotting a way to beat the others in your age group.

It can be gross

Running is sometimes messy. If you run trail runs, there is a potential for falling and blood. Many runners wish for a bathroom when there is none, and clothing can become pretty sweaty.

I hope these reasons not to run will help you with non-runners guilt, or you could throw caution to the wind and give running a try.