Finding Your Why
Emma Wagner
“But why? Why would you run that far? Doesn’t it get boring?” This is a question I’ve heard time and time again, usually followed by the retort, “Couldn’t be me!” Yes, the elusive why. Why are
“But why? Why would you run that far? Doesn’t it get boring?” This is a question I’ve heard time and time again, usually followed by the retort, “Couldn’t be me!” Yes, the elusive why. Why are
And so this is the question I’ve been asking myself, and the one I leave with you: Given my own values and well-being, given everything happening in the sport and in the world, who do I want to be in the sport? How do I want to engage with running now?
Get the Newsie
“But why? Why would you run that far? Doesn’t it get boring?” This is a question I’ve heard time and time again, usually followed by
And so this is the question I’ve been asking myself, and the one I leave with you: Given my own values and well-being, given everything happening in the sport and in the world, who do I want to be in the sport? How do I want to engage with running now?
Running with a four-legged pal is one of the most iconic portrayals of joy with open fields, swoopy trails, and a dog obediently and graciously
As a mental health therapist, sports psychology coach, and parent who runs, I know running can be a lifeline for many. It can be a
A little backstory and context: 2025 didn’t start out as I had planned or envisioned. A meniscus tear deferred my first race of the year,
Have you ever walked into a room and completely forgotten why you went in there? Or when you head out on the trails, you notice
It’s easy to wrap up hiking season feeling fit, but as the off season sets in, it can be harder and harder to motivate off
I’ve been running for 10 years, but I do not call myself a runner. I am a trained dancer. I am a hiker. I am
A run can be so many things. Once, it was a date with a cute guy in high school. Many times it has been a way for me to explore a new city or the neighborhood nearby. Core memories are stacked in my mind of running on sidewalks and side roads, across bridges, up steep hills, tackling stairs and trails and running barefoot in the sand. I have run while pushing a stroller and with a dog leash strapped to my waist, jogged with friends and with a group of strangers, alongside my husband or my kids on their bikes, around the track or with my team on the field. Many miles earned and memories proudly collected over a lifetime of hitting the road.
No one tells you how hard it is to go from being fearless to not believing in yourself at all. I went from fearlessly signing
The Fear of Missing Out is a very real phenomenon and it is often amplified by social media. No matter how many great things you do, it’s easy to be bombarded by a steady stream of people doing other cool things, resulting in a near constant “grass is greener” feeling. If you’re someone who has an adventurous friend group, it can be even worse as you may find yourself missing out on skiing to run a 50k or miss climbing a peak in order to climb a different one.
It almost feels surreal to be writing this note, as I didn’t envision being in this position 10 years ago. To be honest, I’m not sure what I envisioned for the future 10 years ago, but what I was certain of was that the landscape for women in trail running needed to change.
