It takes courage to take that first step out the door and start running. It also takes courage to leave your comfort zone and sign up for a race.

The rewards usually outweigh the trepidation and concerns about embarrassment.

Running by yourself every day has benefits. No worries about meeting or waiting for someone. You can start from your house and maximize your fitness regimen during a busy day. There is a certain amount of enjoyment in having time alone. You can float between thoughts and observe what is happening in the moment.

Runners move past worrying about what their neighbors think of their physique. Running around the neighborhood is now a mainstream activity to be admired, not something only someone like Forrest Gump would enjoy.

Thousands of people run for many reasons. And many of those still don't consider signing up for a race.

At my desk I have notes displayed from a book called "I Want to Change But I Don't Know How." Author Tom Rusk asks, "What kind of life do you want?"

His thoughts can be applied to the decision to run a race. Here are a few:

"You will never know how much you can do until you extend yourself to your limit, and you don't know what that limit is until you fall trying."

"It takes courage to be vulnerable, courage to feel and love yourself. The brave get scared but they don't give up. Courage is meaningless in the absence of fear and danger."

This one, with a touch of Shakespeare, is my favorite: "Courage is refusing to be fear's slave. Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste death but once."

Applying this to running means raising the stakes. It puts some pressure on you to perform in front of others and requires you to share your results. It puts you in a vulnerable position of worrying about being judged. Ultimately, runners discover that the highest and most-critical judge is themselves.

Runner who race discover what Rusk also writes: "The ultimate experiences in life are those that transcend day-to-day existence. The sweet, rare times when involvement in activity leads to fulfillment beyond one's wildest dreams."

Coach Vince Lombardi's famous quote was often misquoted. He actually said, "Winning isn't everything, but trying is." Runners can get too locked into outcomes rather than enjoying the experience and discovering their capabilities at the moment.

Don't wait for boredom to set in. Break out of the routine and set new challenges for yourself. There are so many wonderful races to experience. Start close to home, then look for places you've never been.

You would be hard pressed not to find a city in Michigan that offers a race and an opportunity to find the courage within you.

Writer Doug Kurtis holds world records for the most sub-2:20 marathons (76) and marathon wins (40). He may be contacted at dkurtis@earthlink.com. MR