The intimacy of running

Some thoughts on what makes running so great, plus a new section focusing on the race

Recently, I’ve been thinking about why running becomes so important to us. I’ve kept coming back to the idea of how intimate the sport can be.

We experience intimacy in so many different ways throughout our lives, and even within a day. While the intimacy between lovers is often the first thing that comes to mind, consider the more pedestrian occurrence of feeding someone or of helping someone dress themselves. Think about the level of care and trust that requires. It’s what a parent does for their child. It’s what the closest of friends would do for you when you need it most.

For me, intimacy is sharing a vulnerable moment with someone else. For me, that intimacy is key to the beauty of running.

Runners often talk about the art of discovering more about themselves as we push our bodies and minds on a run. We find our limits, and we find our support structures through that. We find our people.

On an individual level, there’s an intimacy to understanding your body more fully as you move th…