I love running now.

I actually look forward to it every day.

I used to hate people who said things like that.

I’ve tried to enjoy running my entire life.

I’m 6’3″. My body is blocky. I’m not built like a runner.

Running always felt like work.

At one point, I challenged myself to run 50 5Ks in 50 days.

I figured one of two things would happen.

I’d either learn to love running.

Or I’d confirm that I hated it.

50 days later, I still hated it.

But recently, something changed.

I’d gotten into the habit of walking 45 minutes a day. I enjoyed the break, but I didn’t always have 45 minutes to spare.

Around the same time, I watched a YouTube video about a guy with cancer who runs a mile every day.

Something about it stuck with me.

What if running didn’t need to be a big production?

What if I could just go for a short run, enjoy being outside, and get back to my day?

So I gave running another shot.

But this time, I approached it differently.

No challenges. No training plans. No pressure.

I don’t wear a watch. I don’t track my pace or time. I have no idea how fast I’m running.

I bought a nice pair of running shoes (Altra Olympus, if you’re curious).

I picked up a couple pairs of shorts, some running underwear, and a few headbands. Nothing fancy. Just enough to cycle through without having to think about it.

And I started running in the middle of the day.

Usually between 1 and 3 p.m., right around the time my brain starts getting tired of work.

I head outside.

I run the same route every day.

I complete each run by crossing the exact same stop sign shadow:

I come back refreshed.

And strangely, I find myself looking forward to doing it again tomorrow.

For years, I thought the way to love running was to push myself harder. To go farther. To stick with it until something clicked.

But 50 consecutive 5Ks didn’t make me love running.

Taking the pressure off did.

I stopped treating running like something I needed to accomplish and started treating it like something I get to enjoy.

And somehow, I’ve become one of those annoying people who loves running.