Why I picked up running again

23 Jun, 2026

I ran the sporting life 10K in Toronto this year.

I never considered myself much a runner, but it seems like these days I’ve been running more and more. Maybe it has something to do with getting into my 30s.

I’m less interested in going to the gym these days to lift weights. Somehow, lifting heavy has lost some appeal over the years. Maybe because it’s less fun when you are just training by yourself, without a purposeful goal in mind. It also just seems more accessible to go for runs, because I can put my shoes on and go for a run outside right away. Most importantly, it has a lower barrier to entry and one of the few things that's more or less free to do ¹.

I started running when I was in high school, by going to track and field as well as running cross-country. Not because I loved running, but because I wanted to skip going to class. I was never really good at it and I’m still not good at it. I actually thought racing was kind of tough, because I didn't know how to train properly, except for showing up to group runs and a handful of practices. Although, there is a sense of satisfaction finishing a race, doing a new distance and new personal best. There was something energizing running with people, a desire to push yourself and trying to beat other people/your own time.

Running seems to be even more popular since my high school days. I hear more about run clubs these days (perhaps thanks to social media), but it feels like they are popping up left and right. There are even free, volunteer based run events like Parkrun every weekend. Social media apps like Strava make running more sociable, and provide means to track progress and improve.

I did the Toronto waterfront half marathon in 2024, it was a good challenge that took me just over 2.5 hours. Thankfully I followed a training plan, because it made all the difference. But the moment I finished the half marathon that year, I felt like my body aged 20 years in an instant. I felt all the aches and fatigue as soon as I stopped and the adrenaline wore off. Turns out following the training plan in its entirety was important. It was also likely because my body has not adapted enough to run the half-marathon distance. Although, I hope to do a full marathon someday, it's a bucket list thing for me.

So, the plan is to keep on running on a weekly basis. I remember when just doing a 3km felt impossible because I stopped running consistently before 2024. I am currently using the app Runna for my programming. The way this app works is still a mystery to me. Although, it seems more scientific than me banging out random 5km here and there. I did try Hal Higdon’s run program, but it gets tricky when life gets in the way and I can’t follow the running plan to a T.

I have my first sprint triathlon coming in August, so I’ll be training for that. I dipped my toes in the Try-a-tri, and I liked it enough to do it again this year (at double the distance of last year). Hopefully, I don’t drown, but that’s what training is for right?

#marathon #running