10 Reasons you should join the Electric Highway & Run the Nike+ Human Race

Being an ambassador for this year’s Nike+ Human Race 10K has helped me to solidify my passion for running. Because come on, let’s be honest—if I quit running in 6 months, I’ll feel much worse now. Right?

But not only that, it’s also solidified by passion for getting others to run.

Thus, I’m writing a post to tell you to do a couple of things. Sign up for the Human Race. Join my team, the Electric Highway. Find some friends to run with. Let me encourage you & give you a chance to win free stuff. Here’s 10 reasons to do the race:

1. There’s nothing like Commitment. Need to get something done? Then commit to it. Put it on your calendar, sign up, invest a little money, time, & energy. Eventually, it becomes a serious part of your life and you have to do it.

2. It means you’ll lose weight. That sounds good, right? You’ve heard my story—I didn’t diet, I got my tail outside and ran. It wasn’t easy at first, I won’t lie. Heck, there are still hard days. Yesterday I tried to make it 5 miles and almost passed out in the heat. But I believe in the results.

3. There’s nothing like Community. The running community is incredible active, engaged, gracious, & helpful. Having people to run with, train with, race with, and get feedback from are just some of the benefits of surrounding yourself with other runners. You’re much more likely to find enjoyment and commitment to running when you participate with others. We find ourselves in the midst of community; I say we find our running selves in the midst of community.

4. It means you’ll achieve something tangible. Thankfully, running is not ethereal. The pavement is tangible, the pain is serious, the sweat is everywhere, and the results are visible.

5. There’s nothing like a little discipline. The discipline that starts to invade your social, economic, and eating life should be a welcome addition to any schedule.

6. It means taking part in something bigger than yourself. This may be my favorite reason. The Human Race will put hundreds of thousands of runners across the world in a 10K. We learn by participation in community that things are always bigger than us, and this (strangely) includes running. If running affects your life, it affects the lives of others. Imagine the worldwide consequences of this!

7. There’s nothing like a little perspective. Running changes the way you see food. The way you see work. The way you see your schedule.

8. It means you’ll set a goal & work hard to get there. Finishing the 10K is the purpose, right?

9. There’s nothing like a little accountability. It’s a lot harder to shirk your running commitments when others are a part of that commitment. Unless you’re really into letting others down…

10. It means you’ll have to buy some configuration of the Nike+ equipment. I’m not a salesman for Nike, but I do think two things can happen: you’ll be excited to have regular and immediate feedback; and, you’ll be able to challenge me and other friends year round—fastest 5k, most miles over a month, first to 100. The accountability & community around it has been fascinating.

So there you go. Get on the Highway. Run your tail off. And then do it again tomorrow.