I started because at 24 years old, I had to quit smoking, it had been 10 years. I knew quitting would not stick unless I had a deterrent, and getting in shape was the choice. I started running in my Doraville, Georgia neighborhood, about a half mile to start. As per usual, I made it my mission to never learn anything about running correctly. I made it up to 10 miles one time, a few years later. It was stop and start in Atlanta, with long breaks, to focus on smoking, drinking, and whatever else. At that point, my max distance was 3-4 miles per run.
After I finished logging my self-destruction time, many years later, I started running again and it became something else to me. I had to grow up and face my problems. I had daily stresses, anger, self-pity, resentment, selfishness, and fear as always, but I could not use alcohol to deal with it anymore. It stopped working, and I needed an outlet. I still do. My solution encompasses running and much more, but as a human with emotions, working it out through sweat and muscles is vital. I need it. I probably need it right this second.
Now I am trying to be a better runner. I run half marathons, track my time, ask questions, take direction. I still can not say I love running like others do, but I depend on it and I am grateful for the health to do it.
I can no longer running away, now I run through.