Does it seem like everyone you know is a runner these days? Just in my little world, there is the 50-something-year-old woman across the street who belongs to a running club and who owns a wide range of colourful spandex outfits, there are the uberly fit sales guys at the office, and half of my close friends run including the dude who is always the last to leave the party. He, apparently, after an evening of cigarettes and wine, can get up the next morning and attempt a 10K.

So why do we do it? For me, it started as a way to keep in shape and a method of counteracting the indulgences of life (I run so I can eat brie, I eat brie because I run), but now the inspiration is mental. Running improves my mood and makes me a happier person. A morning run in the early sunshine sets a brighter tone for the day, while a run after work burns off the day's stress and makes for a more relaxing night. Also, I feel stronger. My legs feel powerful and my body fit and that's a good thing as one creeps up in age.

According to a large survey of more than 3,500 runners in seven European countries, most people run for reasons similar to mine.

The study, 'Reasons to Run', was sponsored by shoe company ASICS to honour its 60th anniversary, and it reveals that the presiding attitude toward running is 'first the body, then the mind.' Most people get into the sport to improve fitness (54%) or lose weight (40%), but as they discover the mental benefits, that is what provides their ongoing inspiration (34%).



The study also noted that we are in the midst of a 'second running wave' (the first was in the early seventies) as about 35% of 15 to 65-year-old Europeans have taken up the sport. And these numbers also reveal a huge increase in the number of women. Currently, the study estimates the total number of runners in Europe to be around 80 million!

But while the study reveals an overall like-mindedness amongst Europeans who love to run, it also reveals several fascinating and specific differences between people from different countries.

For example, does it surprise you that the French are labelled "The Sunny French" as they approach the task of working up a sweat with a certain joie de vivre with those polled stating they do it for fun and they prefer not to do it when it's raining. This is in contrast to "The Hard-Working German" runner who rarely lets anything stand in the way of a run. And while "The Passionate Spanish" hit the pavement on average 10 times per month, making them the most faithful running nation, they are the most easily bothered by external factors such as verbal insults from others and ill-placed dog poop.

And finally, one of the more interesting results of the study is the link between music and running. While most people I know, myself included, cannot make it around the block without an iPod, a large number of French, Dutch and Belgian runners never use a playlist to motivate them. I have to wonder if this has something to do with the revelation that classical is the preferred choice for the French. In contrast, the more music-dependent Italians prefer homegrown dance tracks while the Germans go for hard rock.

Dear readers, why did you start running and what keeps you inspired and interested in the sport? Please share your comments below.