Why I’ll Always Be Impressed by New Runners

I was talking with someone recently who, like me, started running in middle school. We were talking about how running, as a sport, has exploded over recent years. It’s no longer just us in the “our sport is your sport’s punishment” matching t-shirts. They seemed lightly annoyed at running's new popularity and—while I do get that it’s harder than ever to get into races—I don’t think that’s the right take. Here’s why I’m so impressed by newer runners—

I started running when I was 12 because my brother ran and that’s basically all the reason you needed to do anything at that age. You aren’t worried so much about not being good or looking funny. You’re just 12. And then you’re 13 and 14 and 15 and 25 and 30 and still uncovering how special the sport is—how healing and peaceful and beautiful it is to lace up your shoes on a foggy morning and pound the pavement with nothing but your thoughts.

I’m almost 32 with almost two decades of running experience. I’m very comfortable on a track. I convert miles to kilometers for fun mid workout. It’s a fairly simple and mindless thing for me… because it’s been in my life forever. Conversely, how cool is it to meet someone in their 20s and 30s (and beyond!) who is trying something that they’ve never done before? How cool is it to meet someone who woke up one day and said, “you know that thing from gym class that everyone hates? Yeah, I want to try that.”  

That’s so interesting! That’s so inspiring! I want so much more of that energy in my life! 

I’m immediately so much more interested in your running journey than I am in telling you about the 5ks I ran in high school. 

I can’t imagine ever feeling the need to gatekeep something that has been so wildly beneficial in my life, that has done so much for my mental health, that has brought me such wonderful and deep friendships, that has made me, simply put, a better person. 

I’ll forever be holding fast to the idea that everyone can run. And I’ll forever be inviting people in. That’s the running community I want to be a part of. Where there is space for everyone. Where we learn and grow together. Where we continue to try new things, unafraid of looking silly or not being “good.” 

Because there’s nothing more exciting than someone being unafraid to learn something new. And there’s nothing better we can do for a community than making space at the table for everyone.