(a very good place to start)
Where did your passion for running begin? Here’s your chance to retrace the origins of your one (and only) true love. The highs, the lows, the PBs, what’s come before, yet more importantly, what’s yet to come…
“It starts with running”
Recently, we spoke to various, successful junior athletes on the running scene to try and pin point the motivation, inspiration and achievements that shape their desire to run.
What is the common factor behind their passion? Is It something in their upbringing that shapes their ability, resilience and desire to succeed?
Furthermore, it is worthy of note that their success in the world of sport is characterised by their tenacity, determination and above all, humility. Be inspired – remember the names.
The secret to getting ahead is getting started. It’s never too early or too late, I would say that is the beauty of our sport. Love for running can be found at any point, blossoming into something beautiful, ever-changing, ever-improving, and as ever, forming an abundance of friendships worldwide be it at international level or grass roots.
Now we come to ask: why is it that you run? No doubt running has captured the hearts of millions across the world – is it due to its simplicity, capacity for success and endless feelings of liberation?
Perhaps these talented juniors can capture the essence of the sport we have all fallen head over heels for:
Ellen Crombie (@teenrunnerblog) – Sussex County Cross Country Champion 2016 hoping to participate in the Olympics when she is old enough. In the meantime, she is documenting her journey on her ever-expanding (and very successful) blog. We hope she enjoys her holidays after having finished her GCSEs.
For me, there’s no simple reason as to why I love running. It’s the combination of the competitiveness, solidarity, challenge…and there is nothing quite like the post-ridiculously-hard-training session endorphins. I guess I love everything really, apart from sprinting… but do any distance runners like sprinting?
Andrew Johnstone – Great Britain U20 Triathlete hoping to return from a short period of injury to be stronger both physically and mentally, allowing him to be the best athlete he can be.
There are many different factors that shape why I run. The competitive side certainly appeals to me – the fact that when it comes to a race, it is just you who is in control of your destiny. Furthermore, being able to compare your times and rankings against other athletes can provide great motivation. I love the social side as well, I can run with friends at anytime and anywhere. It is a great thing to be able to do in life. It’s also a great way to meet new people from a variety of different backgrounds anywhere in the world, with running being such a universal and diverse sport.
Naomi Lang (@naomi_lang_) – 1500m Scottish East District Champion (U20) hoping to improve her running even more by training hard and enjoying herself along the way as she begins studying at Edinburgh University this September.
I run because I love the feeling of going fast and working as hard as you can. Chasing a PB and racing is exciting and if you do well you feel a great sense of achievement. You also meet fab people and although running is mostly individual you still have a team to pick you up when you feel down. Finally, when is cross country time, who doesn’t love getting a bit muddy!
Freddie Carcas (@freddiecarcas) – Scottish National Cross Country Champion hoping to continue running, orienteering and representing Scotland even when he makes the bold move down to England to study at Loughborough University.
Running has allowed me to make so many friends from all across the world. I am very proud to have competed for my country and it’s even better doing it alongside my friends. The individual side to running teaches me to push myself – I work hard to achieve my goals however like to relax and have fun away from training as well. Balance is key. I spend a lot of time orienteering too so this gives another dimension to my training. My races aren’t always perfect – it’s how you come back that’s more important and that you don’t ever give in. My whole family love to run as well so there’s no avoiding it really!
Best quote from Freddie:
Q: What were you thinking when you realised that you were winning the National Cross Country at Falkirk by a considerable margin?
A: It was great. It felt easy. I said to myself “I’ll just tempo it from here.”
*This was with at least a mile and a half to go. Nice one, Freddie.
Note: (all handles are for Instagram)
Do their passions resonate with you? It seems although their reasons for #WhyWeRun have slightly different origins, however, the similarities shine through. Motivated and inspired with an overwhelming desire to achieve. I think we can all learn something valuable from these inspiring individuals and take a new perspective on our own athletic ambition and achievement.
~ Remember why you started ~