Have you ever wondered why running feels so good, even when your legs are begging you to stop? It’s not just about the miles; it’s about overcoming obstacles and choosing what’s best for us.

I’ve said this before, but I’ve been running for a while now. In fact, I’ll run my first half marathon on Sunday, and I’m very excited about it. Through these months of training and running a lot, I’ve thought a lot about why we do this and the benefits we get from running, because, to be honest, running isn’t fun and isn’t comfortable at all. You’re tired, your body can’t take any more miles, and your mind is telling you to quit. But, for some reason, you not only keep going, but feel awesome when you’re done.

As soon as I stop running, my body stops aching, and my mind goes quiet. And that, right then and there, is why I run. And it’s not just me: a bunch of runners out there can confirm that running is like meditation, since you have to focus on your breath and your body’s movements, which is an awesome way to free your mind from stress.