Exploring what motivates us to run.
What’s the driving force that motivates you to lace up your shoes and hit the dirt?
Ask a trail runner what gets them out there and you’ll hear a wide range of answers. Waking up in the early morning light while the rest of the world sleeps, taking the mid-day run break, or hitting the trails in the evening with the run crew – whatever the reason, we runners are motivated to intentionally carve out that time to move our bodies, breath the fresh air, and commit to a time of presence on the trails.
Connection with ourselves.
For many, running is the one moment of peace in their day amidst the norms of a go-go-go society full of deadlines, meetings, expectations, endless notifications, and responsibilities. It’s a simple moment to catch their breath, tune out the outer noise and take a moment to, hypothetically, slow down.
We seek solitude for the endless miles of reflection, a mindfulness practice, and a way to return back to ourselves. We take time on the trails to work through difficult emotions, life stressors, and personal challenges. We use the solitude to release, let go, explore new ideas, and simply be. It’s clear that the strength and determination developed during the physical and mental challenges trail running presents translate into other avenues of life.
Then comes running to push oneself – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. In running, we break through self-imposed limitations, building greater resiliency and opening up the capacity for running limitless through the adventures of life. We train long and hard and continue when it’s easier to quit. We set lofty goals that are seemingly out of reach, but continuously challenging ourselves teaches us that with hard work and effort, anything can be achieved.
Connection to each other.
Along with a chance to connect to ourselves, running creates an opportunity for friends to come together. Having a strong foundation of like-minded friends built around a love for outdoor movement and the trails can also mean having a go-to crew for early morning weekend escapades, friends crazy enough to sign up for big races together or be a support crew – friends always game for an epic adventure!
Running can also be a vehicle for change. Through protest runs and fundraising, runners are using our sport as a stepping stone for activism and inclusivity. This work is helping bridge the gap between years of inequalities outdoors, incrementally changing that narrative in the outdoor industry and reality of what it means to recreate outside for marginalized people.
Connection to the Wilderness
For many, trail running is true exploration – a way to use the miracle of the body as a vehicle of discovery in new terrain. Our feet carry us to high peaks with jaw dropping vistas and deeper into pristine, wild places. This exploration generates an inner sense of playfulness, a way of seeing the world through curious and fresh eyes. The wild spaces we inhabit encourage a giddy, child-like sensation of joy, play, and wonder.
Hitting the trails is a great way to expand outdoor skills. Whether it’s a seasoned endurance athlete brushing up on mountaineering skills to travel faster through technical terrain, or someone starting at square one by learning navigation skills, fueling techniques and risk management in outdoor settings, expanding our skills increases confidence and our access to the places we love.
One of the most beautiful parts of each individual’s motivation to run, is that the same sense of wonder and exploration found in the long, expansive mountain trails, can also be found on the neighborhood trails you run each day. The same joy you find running with friends, can be just as meaningful and important on your solo runs. A 3-mile run through the same neighborhood can feel just as impactful as a big day out in the mountains.
That’s the true beauty in perspective, individuality, and finding a personal sense of meaning through trail running. Each experience and motive is unique, admirable, and profound.
It’s a healthy mix of all of these factors that bring us back to the trails time and time again. In a sport built on a communal love for the miraculous movement of our bodies through the wonder of the natural world, what matters isn’t why you run… only THAT you run.
Aspire’s trip calendar has every runner. What motivates you?
Looking for big mountain mileage or training for a lofty adventure goal? Our Stage trips are the go-to!
Want to build deep connections and friendships around the fire with a beer and explore epic zones during the day? Our Rendezvous have you covered.
If it’s time to learn something new, hammer in your skill base and open up further possibilities of mountain exploration, our Skills courses offer the next level of learning.
We look forward to sharing miles and motivation with you!
Kara Folkerts is a plant powered trail runner, sustainable travel advocate, yoga teacher, and passionate about all things sustainability, travel, health, and outdoor movement. Originally from Canada, Kara has spent the last few years exploring and living abroad in various countries across the globe before joining the Aspire crew in 2020. Kara has been guiding various trail running, sustainability, and health retreats internationally since completing her undergrad in Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership. With all of these experiences, she seeks meaningful connections with others, loves to learn of new cultures, and fosters the mindset of a lifelong learner. With a big heart for trail running and exploring wild places, she’s always stoked to get out there with others.
She writes about all her adventures on her blog at www.karafolkerts.com and on her instagram @karafolkerts