I Don’t Want Running to Become My Job

/October 14, 2026

When Did This Become Work?

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to go for a trail run. I figured 90 minutes would be enough. I knew the trail and how I could add two arteries to my normal route to get me there.

After making that decision, I thought: Do I take the drone or just use my phone?

And that is when it hit me: Am I going for a run, or am I going to work?

The Weird Position I’ve Put Myself In

I’ve been running for 19 years. I started in 2007. Facebook? What is that? Why would anybody use that? I’m just looking to train for this half-marathon that I’ve been voluntold I’m doing.

That first race gave me so much joy. I loved the hard moments, the learning, the people. It was all so new, bright and shiny.

I have gone from one half-marathon in 2007, where I cramped so hard that I looked like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, to a list of accomplishments that surprises me some days.

I’ve crossed eight Ironman finish lines and eight 100-mile finish lines. I ran from Black Canyon City to Flagstaff…voluntarily.

Running and endurance sports have taken me to Maine, Puerto Rico, California, Washington and more. They’ve also given me the opportunity to connect with people from different cultures, backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances. We got to know each other because we were doing hard things.

All of those people and places led me to build The Everyday Athlete by Run Tri Bike. This company is six years old, but every day feels like Day One because of the stories.

So now, why is running a problem?

Not Every Run Needs to Accomplish Something

We, as endurance athletes, are very good at giving purpose to everything.

Long run. Tempo run. Recovery run. Zone 2. Race prep. PR attempt. Strava upload. Calories per hour.

The list goes on, but we move right along because this is part of our lives.

Now, add being a content creator:

Did I get a video? Is there a Reel in this footage? Could this become a Story? Did I photograph the mountain I’m about to climb?

Suddenly, even fun has deliverables.

Some days, it feels like too much, and I decide to leave the phone in my running belt. This run is for me.

Then I realize I can document one moment, have fun and maybe encourage others to have fun too.

Let’s dance. Dancing feels good. Dance like nobody is watching.

So…thanks to Dan and Marcy…We Finish, We Dance was born.

BUT…just that! No Strava data, distance or pace. Just dancing and celebrating that you did something hard.

Sometimes you ran for 30 minutes and then you danced…

That can be enough.

Finding the Joy in Running

The fun. The joy of that first half-marathon training cycle.

I’m still chasing PRs and training for the next race. I look at my data, but with less scrutiny. Now I also ask myself: How much fun was that run?

I still want moments to myself so I can remember why I started. Those moments mean as much to me as perfectly timing a video cut to the beat of a song in a Reel.

The laughs, coffee and fist bumps cannot be measured by Garmin, and that is perfect.

I can find a route on Strava through the heat map, but I cannot find the joy in that data.

That’s on me to find. And the only way I can do that is to remember that running is supposed to be fun.

The Deal I’m Trying to Make With Myself

This year, I’ve raced more than in any of the past six years. There were PRs (I think). There were age-group wins (thanks to being a Grand Master).

So I’m going to keep racing and taking my phone or drone with me to capture moments I can reflect on.

At the same time, I’m going to remember that I run because I love running. I want the freedom and joy of it, not another to-do item to check off my list.

There will be days when the phone stays in my pocket and a run doesn’t become content. Some training days will be crappy, while others will be great, and nobody but me will know.

Running and endurance sports will always be part of my life. I’ll keep creating content because I want others to know they can do hard things too.

But I’m not going to let a 10-second Reel become more important than the joy of running. As for that 90-minute run…I know what I did, and it was a great decision.

When did something you loved start feeling like something you had to be good at?

And how did you get the fun back?

Jason Bahamundi Run Tri Bike Magazine Owner Triathlete Ultra Runner Trail Runner

Jason Bahamundi, founder of Run Tri Bike, is a passionate and accomplished endurance athlete dedicated to proving that there is a spot at the starting line for everybody and every body. With a background deeply rooted in the world of triathlon, running, and cycling, Jason has not only excelled in his personal athletic endeavors but is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive world of endurance sports. This led him to establish Run Tri Bike, a platform that serves as a hub for everyday athletes to connect, share experiences, and access valuable resources. Jason's genuine enthusiasm for endurance sports, continues to inspire individuals to pursue their goals and embrace the transformative power of an endurance sports lifestyle.