Each individual runner has their own intrinsic motivation for getting out on the course to complete a run. Whether it’s a fitness journey, the spirit of competition, that runner’s high, or many other great reasons, our friends at UBT wanted to let a few of their Market to Market runners share their stories about why they run.
We’re checking in with Megan from UBT’s Trust Compliance department, who recently completed the Lincoln Half Marathon with her father after he officially beat cancer; Caroline, a credit analyst, who’s established herself as a regular at Market to Market; and Tom, from Customer Service, who often allows friends and family to determine how heavy his ruck pack will be during big running events based on how much they donate to charity.
Let’s see what they have to say about why they run.
Megan’s motivation
For me, M2M is all about connection and family! The team I run with is comprised of friends and family members. It’s awesome to be trapped in a van, cheering each other on, and seeing different parts of Nebraska that aren’t in your typical day-to-day drive. There are always surprises along the way. The memories I’ve made in the last seven years of participating will be lifelong and give me a tremendous appreciation for my own willingness to step outside of my comfort zone and the Nebraska running community.
Caroline’s cause
Running, to me, is where I go when the world feels too loud. It’s my escape from work and stress but also adds structure to my week and instills mental toughness in myself. It started as a way to stay fit, but over time, it became something deeper — it became more about the people I met on the journey and the miles of time spent with groups of friends. There’s something about sweating, struggling, and celebrating tough runs/races together that builds the strongest bonds. On days when I don’t feel like running, my group helps me show up.
Running is not about the finish line at every race, it’s a culmination of all the miles leading up to that day, the training, the discipline, and the people you surround yourself with. Running has taught me how to keep going, even when everything in me wants to stop. It has shown me that progress isn’t always fast or flashy — sometimes it’s just putting one foot in front of the other, again and again.
Tom’s tenacity
What does running mean to me? It’s a humbling experience, keeps me grounded, and more than just exercise. I don’t like running. I’m not good at it. That’s why I choose to do it. Enduring the repetition, being disciplined when I don’t want to put the miles in, choosing the discomfort has made me more resilient to the inevitable trials we all face. Add a weighted vest and it’s really my idea of a good time.
Whatever your personal reasons for running, your friends at UBT wish you all a successful Market to Market race day!