Ep 249 Alan Asks…Why Did You Start Running?
The reason you started running is probably not the reason you keep running, and that’s the point. We open with a simple community question from our friend Alan, then hand the mic to listeners whose answers stretch from “I’ve never been an athlete” to “running became my only quiet place.” You’ll hear how stress, family health scares, grief, postpartum life, and plain old curiosity can turn into a steady running habit and a stronger sense of self.
The episode begins with an introduction from Mary from NC . If you’d like to introduce an upcoming episode, please reach out to us on our social media. You can also email us, or leave us a message on our hot-line (727-266-2344).
Why We Started Running: Your Stories, Your Reasons, Our Community
runDisney season always brings that familiar spark—the kind of motivation that hums louder with every training cycle. But this week on the pod, the most meaningful moment didn’t come from a finish‑line celebration. It came from a simple question our friend Alan Young posted on Facebook:
Why did you start running in the first place?
We are joined by Alan and Listeners from across the Rise and Run community to answer that question , and their stories felt instantly familiar. Some of you began as self‑described non‑athletes in your forties. Others returned to running after injury, or found yourselves unexpectedly signed up for a long race because registration options disappeared in real time.
What stood out wasn’t just the variety—it was the honesty. They talked about running as me time, a quiet space to breathe, shared how the miles helped you process grief. And described running as a reset button after months of relentless stress and family health scares.
That range matters. Motivation is rarely one thing. It shifts and grows with us—starting as survival during a hard season, becoming a habit, then transforming into a way to protect your mental health. Eventually, it becomes something even bigger: a community that makes the miles feel lighter.
These stories remind us that every runner’s “why” is personal, but none of us run alone.
The Race Report Sponsored by Stoked Metabolic Coaching
WE are joined by Alicia this week in the Race Report spotlight to here about the Leadville heavy half .
After a week acclimating in Breckenridge at 10,000 feet, Alicia lined up for the Leadville Heavy Half, 15.5 miles and 3,500 feet of climbing on one of the toughest trail courses in the country. The wind and drought‑driven dust made breathing at altitude even harder, especially on the steep push up Mosquito Pass, where the cold, gusty summit tested every runner.
Despite the challenge, Alicia hit the mile‑11 cutoff with time to spare, grabbed a quick snack, and headed into the final stretch. The last miles were a mix of hiking and running as her Achilles tightened and a blister flared, but she rallied and ran strong into downtown Leadville, finishing in 5:05—nearly two hours ahead of the cutoff.
One of the day’s highlights was reconnecting with friends from her Colorado years and sharing miles with a runner honoring his son, Rob, whose memory is woven into the Leadville community.
Alicia’s takeaway: stunning views, incredible volunteers, a tough climb, and a race weekend that embodies everything Leadville is known for.
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