Marathon Sports
Sound Runner Runner's Alley
My Account
  • Shop
    • Featured Collections
      • Winter Sale!
      • MASKS & FACE COVERINGS
      • SHOP BY BRAND
      • SHOP LOCAL
      • Gift Cards
      • SALE!
    • Men
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • On Sale
    • Women
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Sports Bras
      • On Sale
    • Accessories
      • Socks
      • Bottles & Hydration Packs
      • Nutrition & Hydration
      • Electronics
      • Sunglasses
      • Running & Walking Safety
      • Injury Prevention & Recovery
      • Hats & Headwear
      • Masks & Face Coverings
  • COVID Updates
  • Virtual Right Fit™
  • Locations
    • All Locations
    • Metro Boston
      • Boston
      • Brookline
      • Cambridge
      • Wellesley
      • Melrose
    • Southern MA & Cape Cod
      • Yarmouth
      • Plymouth
      • Mansfield
      • Norwell
    • Central & Western MA
      • Northampton
      • Shrewsbury
  • BLOG
  • Road Race Calendar
Marathon Sports
  • Shop
    • Featured Collections
      • Winter Sale!
      • MASKS & FACE COVERINGS
      • SHOP BY BRAND
      • SHOP LOCAL
      • Gift Cards
      • SALE!
    • Men
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • On Sale
    • Women
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Sports Bras
      • On Sale
    • Accessories
      • Socks
      • Bottles & Hydration Packs
      • Nutrition & Hydration
      • Electronics
      • Sunglasses
      • Running & Walking Safety
      • Injury Prevention & Recovery
      • Hats & Headwear
      • Masks & Face Coverings
  • COVID Updates
  • Virtual Right Fit™
  • Locations
    • All Locations
    • Metro Boston
      • Boston
      • Brookline
      • Cambridge
      • Wellesley
      • Melrose
    • Southern MA & Cape Cod
      • Yarmouth
      • Plymouth
      • Mansfield
      • Norwell
    • Central & Western MA
      • Northampton
      • Shrewsbury
  • BLOG
  • Road Race Calendar
My Account
Home/ Why I Run/ WHY DO I RUN: Ailish’s Story
  • Returns have never been easier. Learn More

  • Check out our upcoming events. Learn More

    Popular Posts

    • What’s an Offset? Q: I've heard the term "offset" and "zero drop" in runn... READ MORE
    • NUTRITION 101: Product Comparison There are so many different types of fuel out there - s... READ MORE
    • A TALE OF TWO SHOES: Asics 2000 & Brooks Adrenalin... Chances are, you've run across the Asics GT-2000 an... READ MORE

    CATEGORIES

    • Beginner Running
    • Boston Marathon
    • Brand Spotlight
    • Fall Running
    • Gear Review
    • Injury Prevention
    • Inspo and Tips
    • Meet the Squad
    • Shoe Reviews & Updates
    • Shopping & Gift Guides
    • Summer Running Guide
    • Tech Talk
    • The Right Fit
    • Uncategorized
    • Visibility
    • Why I Run
    • Winter Running Guide
    • Women Runner Safety
    • Women's Running Guide

    Share

    • facebook
    • twitter
  • WHY DO I RUN: Ailish’s Story

    runnerprofileheader

    Part of a series of runner profiles we’ll be featuring throughout the summer

    10608398_10202480547849556_5752723398445661801_o

    Finishing my first collegiate race at Roger Williams

    “You have to pick something. You should be doing something every season.”

    When my sister and I were really young, my parents would enroll us in different sports and activities. They wanted us to be active. I tried things like ice skating, tennis, and soccer and found that I never really enjoyed any of them. When I was 11 years old, I made the decision, on my own, to sign up for my middle school cross country team. I made this decision because most games I enjoyed involved running. I really enjoyed the simplicity of it. It felt a lot like flying.

    Having walked most of my first cross country race, I came in dead last. My parents thought I would be crying, but I walked up to them beaming, filled with pride over my strong finish. I had fallen in love with running and I have never stopped loving it since.

    Running has taught me so much. It’s funny to think that at 11 years old, it had taught me one of the most important lessons: you don’t have to have the most experienced, be the fastest, or have the “perfect” build to be a runner–anyone can love running, anyone can be a runner.

    Over the past 13 years, I have put my heart and soul into running and it’s shown me that, by doing so, you can accomplish what you want to accomplish. Your goals could be wanting to complete a marathon or running your fastest 5k or just going out and running a mile or two on a really hard day. These things can be done, it’s just a matter of putting the work into it.

    I run for many reasons.

    16992459_10212013726041807_2696627334894625598_o

    Running my first half marathon in December of 2016

    I run because I love the kind, friendly, supportive, genuine, and inspirational individuals I meet.

    I run because you get out what you put into it.

    I run because you don’t have to be the fastest, most experienced, or strongest to be a part of this extremely inclusive community.

    I run because it makes me feel good and accomplished.

    I run because it feels a lot like flying.


    RELATED CONTENT: [Why Do I Run: Katie’s Story] [Why Do I Run: Kathy’s Story] [Why Do I Run: Preston’s Story] [Why Do I Run: Joe’s Story]

  • previous all news next

company links

  • Our Story
  • Blog
  • Upcoming Events
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

helpful links

  • Shipping
  • Returns & Exchanges
  • FAQs

stay connected

  • instagram
  • facebook
  • twitter

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

  • Stay in the loop on all things running, walking, and fitness!
  • Thanks for subscribing.

copyright © 2021 marathon sports