I use to be that person who ran only if I was being chased. I started running with that hope that it would help me get back into my skinny jeans. And it totally worked. Once I realized running was my ticket to serious weight loss, and then maintaining said weight loss, there was no turning back.

Until recently, I only ran because it kept the scale moving in the right direction. I loved the results I saw from running – but I would dread every run. The only thing that kept me lacing up my shoes was knowing that it stopped sucking quite so much once I got past the first mile. But after a couple years of slugging through runs to keep the scale from going up, somewhere along the way started to love it. Let the record clearly show that I definitely did not always love running like I do now.

I went from skinny jean runner to running because it meant I could have five cookies instead of one and my pants would still fasten. Now I run because it truly makes me feel incredible. I run because it makes me feel strong and confident and I am so grateful that I’ve finally figured out how to enjoy every step.

Here’s how I found my way to being the running freak I never dreamed I could be.

1. Eat Your Veggies

This one is at the top of the list for a reason. Green vegetables every day are my ticket to easy runs. Forget pasta, veggies are where it’s at. If you want to run like the wind, get your greens on. Want to be lean mean running machine? Throw spinach in a smoothie, snack on green pepper slices before dinner, eat a salad every day. When I started eating greens every day, it was like someone flipped a switch. What do bunnies eats? Grass. How to bunnies run? Fast. Enough said.

2. Run with Music

There’s nothing like running through your neighborhood at the crack of dawn singing to Eminem’s Lose Yourself at the top of your lungs. Your neighbors will thank you for being such an awesome role model and motivating them to get out of bed early and run too.

3. Buy Good Sneakers

This is a lesson I learned the hard way. You need some good kicks. If you like knee pain, hip pain, black toenails that fall off and blisters that make you hobble around like an old man, then running in sneakers that are too old and too small are where it’s at. Those black toenails do make for some fabulous conversation starters at parties. If you prefer flesh colored toe nails, chat with the the homeboys and girls at your local running store. They are ready to hook you up.

4. Buy Good Clothes

Cotton is not your friend when you are running. That includes socks too. Sweat + cotton = chaffing in spots you didn’t think were possible to chaff. If you want running to be a lot less angry and red, buy some some good gear. You don’t need a huge running wardrobe – just a few key items can make running more comfortable.

5. Train for Something

Whether it’s a 5K, a 10K, half marathon or marathon, running with a race in mind is a way to give your runs some purpose. Having a race date scrawled on the calendar can be all the reason you need to drag yourself out of bed and tie your sneakers get yourself out the door first thing in the morning.

6. Surround Yourself with Runners

Humans are social creatures. We tend to pick up on the habits of our peers. The more you hang out with runners, talk about running, think about running, the more excited you’ll become about running. When you’re buying your sneaks, as the running store peeps if they can give you the 411 on running groups in the area.

7. Run with a Buddy

I enjoy my solo runs, but running with a partner from time to time can increase the fun factor. The time seems to pass so much faster with a friend. Your best bet is a big burly friend who has a key to your house and can drag you out of bed if you fail to show up for a running date.

8. Run All Year Round

I’ve been running for nearly five years now and I’ve only recently discovered the joy of running through all four seasons. Running in the heat of the summer makes me long for the days of bitter wind, slush filled roads and black ice. Winter running makes me look forward to blistering heat, sunburn and bugs that try to keep the pace with you. It’s all about perspective.

9. Read about Running

Reading about anything – whether it’s cooking, parenting, health, underwater basket weaving or running; it gets me pumped to get out there. Follow the Reading Rainbow and you’ll find your inspiration and motivation. Some of my favorites can be found on my reading list.

10. Rest

Rest and recovery days are just as important as training days. You’ll need time to practice your underwater basket weaving skills anyway.

11. Run Fast

Like my marathon training coach Hal Higdon says, if you want to run fast, you have to run fast! Incorporate some speed work into your running routine to make things more interesting and before you know it you’ll start to notice your regular runs are getting done in less time.

12. Run Slow

It took me a while to figure this out, but there’s a lot to be gained from running a slower pace. Be the bunny, but be the turtle too. Turtles eat weeds and they’ve got lots of endurance to go the long haul. Run slow to run long. I’d love to see what happens if a bunny and a turtle ran a long race together. Oh. Wait.

*This post was originally written as a guest post for Holly, The Healthyeverythingtarian but has been modified slightly from the original – the reasons to love running just keep coming!

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