Why?

I want to run for 24 hours.

I don’t know how, when, or honestly why (I hope writing about it will help me figure it out).

I’ve simply decided that running 24 hours is something I will do.

But, why?

Possibly it’s just a pre-midlife crisis stewing in the background. Or maybe there’s a healthier reason.

I do know that the seed of the idea was planted in February ‘23 after “crewing” a friend’s attempt to run a 24-hour ultramarathon. To make a long story short, it was a complete shitshow, and I loved every minute of it.

The drive home I fantasized returning one day and embarking on the challenge of running for 24 hours, however there was one problem:

I could barely run a mile.

I don’t really think it’s an exaggeration either. Maybe the story is a bit trite, but I completely let myself go after finishing college and focusing on my career. Every New Year or birthday I’d tell myself that this was the year that I’d get back in shape. Even after feeling inspired by the 24-hour event, it’s taken me almost a year to write this.

Seriously, why?

I’ve narrowed it down to two reasons. I want to regain control of my body and challenge my discipline and grit.

1. Physical: I’m turning 35 in a week and my body feels like shit. I find a new ache and pain on a weekly basis and I’m tired of it. I’m not setting out to do this competitively or break any records (I mean, it might be nice to podium a local Strava segment or two #AmbitiousGoals). I just want to be decently healthy with the ability to move and play freely. I want to feel like I want to feel.

2. Mental: This is the reason that I’m struggling to articulate, but this almost feels the most important. Through a subconscious pursuit of the modern American lifestyle, I’ve sought comfort and been shaped by it. I’m grateful for the results, but there’s an existential tear struggling to find the point of it all.

Or maybe this is not that serious and running for 24 hours just sounds fun as hell.