To everyone 30+ who has no chance of being elite, why do you run so much?

I asked a similar question and got down voted a lot. There's a 45 year old man at my club doing 80 mile weeks and he's been running 15-20 years... he seems obsessed and follows all the "fast" local runners... but then I realised what does it matter? It's better than spending all day on your phone or at the pub. He runs 17 minutes off it which I would not be happy with given the amount of training, but he does run a 2:40 marathon.

I enjoy it.

Why not?

I'm much more healthy running 60 to 80 mpw than when I ran 40 mpw. Beyond various blood metrics, my stress level is lower and I'm more productive. I also enjoy the sport much more.

It's the fact that you sweated, you're worn out yet energetic, you earned that donut and you did it all yourself with a shower and a relieved deep breath at the end.

I'm ugly and fat...I'll never look good so it's not about that.

But simply the fact that someone can say..yeah, i can run a good distance and you already know you DID...

That's what life's spirit is.

Didn't really start until after 30. Never had any interest in being elite. Some people enjoy this.

Dang. Hadn’t known you thought I don’t look good. Imma go to CrossFit for 6 mos, then hit me up.

Why do people spend do much time and money playing golf?

Tennis Anyone?

Bowling?

Pickleball?

Hunting?

Fishing?

Different people enjoy different activities. Who are you to judge how someone spends their time and money?

Running and racing are more fun when you’re good at it and in top shape, which is not possible averaging only 30 mins/day.

Why does anyone run? How many people actually have a chance to be an elite runner? How many people will make significant money from running professionally? The number is so small, it's microscopic.

People run as a form of exercise and recreation, it's that simple.

Ok, now do the same for video game players lmao

At first it was to get as fast as possible. Then it was because I liked it. Getting an hour and a half of running in each day felt like a victory over laziness.

Like what metrics? I’m honestly surprised and curious why 40 vs 60-80 would make a difference to health. Is the stress reduction translating to measurable physiological metrics?

It was an honest question as written with no judgment or offense intended, especially since I’m myself a runner that enjoys running.

I used to run about 70-80 mpw, now I do about 30... I'm not a spectacular runner, but I enjoyed the higher mileage.

As i started to run it was not because of my weight. Now i realize i can eat everything and still have a normal BMI. That is great. This improves my life quality.

The WHO health recommondation is at least 3 times/week 30minutes, by the way.

Still getting PRs at 39 but will echo much of what above posters have said. Love competing even if only for top 10's. I am thinking maybe another year or two for some Masters wins but the shallowness has been starting to creep in for a while. We'll see. It's an addiction ATM.

There are a couple reasons noted in the original post.