Running on Purpose: Why Your ‘Why’ Matters

By Alice – Positive Psychologist & Mindset Coach, Heads Pace

Every runner has a story.

Maybe yours started with a couch-to-5k, a heartbreak, or a need to reclaim some time just for you.

Or maybe – like my dear husband Ross – it started on your honeymoon… But that’s a story for another day.

Wherever your running journey began, there’s one mindset shift that can completely transform how you train, race, and recover: Knowing your ‘why’.

Not just the goal time you’ve set.Not just the mileage on your training plan.But the deeper, personal reason that makes running matter to you.

Motivation That Lasts

In Positive Psychology, Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) explains that motivation sits on a spectrum – and not all motivation is created equal.

• Extrinsic motivation is doing something for rewards or approval: medals, race results, social media praise, or compliments about your discipline.

• Intrinsic motivation is doing something because it aligns with who you are, brings you joy, and gives your actions meaning.

  
  

Runners driven by intrinsic motivation don’t just train harder – they train longer. They stick with the sport through injury, setbacks, and those inevitable bad runs. Their commitment doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from purpose.

Ask Yourself

• What does running give you that nothing else does?

• When did you last feel completely absorbed in a run – the world quiet, your mind calm?

• If all races disappeared tomorrow, would you still run?

  
  

Your answers point to your ‘why’.

And when your why is strong, your discipline feels lighter, your consistency more natural, and your progress more satisfying.

Science Meets Soul

Research in Positive Psychology shows that people with a strong sense of meaning:

• Are more resilient when facing adversity (Seligman, 2011)

• Maintain habits more effectively over time (Ryan & Deci, 2000)

• Experience greater fulfilment and wellbeing across all areas of life

Running doesn’t need to feel deep and profound every single time. Some days, it’s just about getting it done. But on the days when training is hard, or life is heavy, knowing your why keeps you moving forward.

What’s Your Why?

We’d love to know.

What’s the reason you run when no one’s watching?What got you started – and what keeps you going now?

Share it in the comments. Your story might be the exact reminder someone else needs today.And if this post spoke to you, feel free to share it with a friend who’s rediscovering their own motivation.

At Heads Pace, we believe mindset is your most powerful muscle.

When your thoughts are clear and your purpose is strong, your body will follow.

Mind over Miles,

Alice

Run strong. Think stronger.

At Heads Pace, we coach runners to build not just endurance, but mindset.Whether you're training for a new distance or chasing a personal best, our bespoke plans combine expert running coaching with 1:1 mindset sessions grounded in Positive Psychology.

Ready to train your legs and your head?

Explore our coaching options at https://www.headspaceruncoaching.com/— or drop us a message to chat more.