Training for my first half and felt so good after a

“When I left college and ‘entered the real world,’ I moved to a new city and felt depressed. When I left college and entered the real world, I moved to a new city and felt 10K and now I am l madly in love with running runner’s high when crossing that finish line. I never thought two years later I’d be finishing my first marathon. Running has taught me that there’s no limit to what you can do…and the healing powers are a definite bonus! I wish everyone could love running!”—abbymason1

“A best friend of mine died when I was in college. I didn’t know how to process or talk about my feelings. It was raining. I put my running shoes on and ran seven miles in the pouring rain listening to music and crying. It was the perfect way to grieve and process. I started running six days a week since then. Since that day running has been such a comfort in the happiest of times and in deep sorrow. A great therapy for me!!”—elteran23

“Want to run your first race? Check our half marathon after breast cancer treatments, and I realized how many amazing friends I was making as training partners, race buddies, and random people who wave back on runs. I got hooked and have run over 50 half marathons, five full marathons and I’ve lost count of all the amazing people I’ve met through running.”—rosiosio

“I had just moved to San Francisco in 2005. I knew no one and was at a challenging point in life. I decided to go explore the city on foot one day and ended up running 13 miles around the peninsula without realizing it until after the fact. From that day forward, I’ve defined myself as a runner. I still remember so many of the special moments of clarity and peace I gained from that run.”—chelsryen

“When pounding the pavement gave me the headspace and mental fitness to get through my fertility issues and take on the process of IVF.”—beaniel80

“I fell in love with running in 2014, the year my son was born with Down syndrome. I needed an outlet to get the stress of our new normal life out and signed up for a half marathon out of desperation and just grit. Been my natural stress reliever ever since.”—coug3111

“Want to run your first race? Check our All About 75 Hard. I was a few months into a newfound sober lifestyle and about 26 years old, but needed a change from sitting in my apartment on a typical Saturday night. I set out at around 10 p.m. when most folks were hitting the town. I ran about four miles. As far as I could at that point with a route around Lakeshore Drive in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Winded and coughing up air by the end of it! Sold. Hooked for first time since high school XC, but only this time was fundamentally different: It was for me. Felt totally alive and haven’t stopped since.”—atreyurunning

“The moment when suddenly people around me started believing in me and everyone started clapping and cheer me up when they saw me flying on the road. I am so proud to be a runner.”— nihadnaseerudheen

“Running my first six-miler, that feeling. I knew I was hooked. The best was when that amazing woman on the trail made eye contact with me and said have a good run made me feel like a real runner.”—trishacortez8

“When I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon, breaking the tape as the first female to finish the race! I was 15 years old and have not stopped running since!! Three years later and I’ve now done five half marathons and am training for my first full.”—kathryne.hirt

“When I finished my first NYC Half, I felt great covering a distance that was impossible before for me. The rest is history.”—nyc.running

When I finished my first half marathon. I was in so much pain, but I couldn’t stop saying ‘I can’t wait to do it again.’”—mitch_gerhardt

“After my first 5K, I was hooked. Couldn't run it without stopping, now I can run a 5K in under 30. Not bad for this old lady!”—patriots4eva

“When I finished my first race, a 10K. I fell in love. I told myself ‘Look, what you did!’”—a.volkan.volkan.a

[10 Training Tips You Need If You’re a Beginner Marathoner]

“All About 75 Hard age 10, and now I am 55...still madly in love with running.”—dannyfitzruns

“When I ran for field hockey practice in 8th grade and soon realized it made me feel better than anything, mentally, emotionally, physically. So I ran track in high school and never stopped running.”—mermaidunicornmama

“Training Tips You Need If Youre a Beginner Marathoner swim instead. It’s never come easy but it’s always been easy to love.”—brandonlavorgna

[Kaitlyn Lee Is Raising Money and Awareness for Pediatric Cancer—and She’s Only 11]

“When I was a single mom at the age of 19, I was under an intense amount of pressure. I had just ended an abusive marriage, was struggling with bulimia and was trying to put myself through college. Most mornings, I would rise at 4:30 a.m. to power walk for a mile and then work on school work until my son woke up. One morning I had so much internal chaos, I just knew walking wasn’t going to cut it that morning, so for whatever reason I broke into a run. That was 22 years ago. I have been running ever since.”—sherunstrailspodcast

“When I was healing after escaping from an emotionally abusive relationship and was trying to build up my confidence and self-worth again, after it had been stripped away by my fiancé. I signed up for a half marathon that year, 2008, and since then have completed over a dozen halfs, nine marathons, and have accomplished my dream of running in the Boston Marathon, come 2021.”—kegregg85

“I fell in love with running when I was going through depression and long-distance relationship and the only thing I knew I can control in life was every mile I ran. It led me to get my mind and body tired so I can be in peace and at the same time in better shape to push further.”—rafaelgar89

“The more I began to run the more I began to love and respect myself. It’s transformed my life from the very first step I took out the door and continues to do so as I train for my first marathon.”—roisinbownes25

“I had lost myself in a relationship and was trying to find me, and what made me happy. I signed up for a learn to run class with some amazingly supportive friends. At the time I was trying to get active and lose weight, but it became more than that. It became my stress release, my freedom and my meditation.”—meganprince84

“When running started becoming more for me and less about trying to do it for an ex. I ended up signing up for a half marathon and then another and another. And now I signed up for a marathon in December and it’s all just for me. No one else but me. To prove that I can do it because with each run I’m so glad I did it and proud of that fact I ran.”—flipataco

“When I did my first morning run while snow was falling. There is nothing comparable. That soft feeling under your feet, the noise your steps make in the snow, the clean fresh air with that special ‘smell,’ the slowly melting snow in your face and the winter wonderland ahead.”—bixi_longstocking

“Training for my first half and felt so good after a.”—arianna.990

“When I ran in -22 degree weather at 1 o’clock in the morning because I felt like it.”—gracelela21

“A Pro Athlete Takes on The Great World Race rain and strong winds in Paris and enjoying it!”—sarawr_morris

“In college. My roommate took me out for my first run. I wore hiking boots. It was raining. And Aerosmith “Sweet Emotion” was playing on my (sigh) Other Hearst Subscriptions.”—spokanistan5150

[When I was training for my first]

“In March 2019. I was running my third marathon (I had sworn off the distance after my first and second one). I was committed to not having a miserable time and made sure to complete my training plan the best I could. About 16 miles in I realized I felt amazing and was having fun. I hit the ‘wall’ at about 23 but was so close to the finish it didn't matter to me. When I finished, I knew that had been the best running experience of my life and I wanted to do more. Fourth marathon coming soon!”— shanereed53

“Running through torrential, dehydrated and undernourished, my legs almost useless. I stumbled through the last three miles, walking and realizing I had so much more to learn.”—ryanmaderic

“After my first marathon when I was struggling to walk to the car and already dreaming of improving my time.”—the_wimpy_runr

“A Part of Hearst Digital Media hard run which made me want to give up. I finished and felt stronger for it. That’s when the love was real.”—rewellness.me

“When I realized that I could go further than I thought I could. I’m not fast at all, but that’s never really been my overall goal. I try to be faster, but I really thrive on how it feels to be about to go that quarter mile more and more.”—marina.j.long

“A Part of Hearst Digital Media yoga When I left college and entered the real world, I moved to a new city and felt walk after I had my son, I decided I needed to try harder to lose the baby weight. I added a few minutes of running to my walk. The next time, a few minutes more. It was the day I ran three miles without stopping that I threw my arms up in the air Rocky-style and knew that I was a runner. One marathon, several halfs and other races later, I still get that thrill!”—mcarneygilson

“Training for my first half and felt so good after a treadmill 8-miler.”—ocpowerpop

“When I could go further than I thought I could. Running has taught me that there is nothing I can’t accomplish as long as I put in the time, energy, and effort. Also cute running gear A Part of Hearst Digital Media.”—kayleymoore