On March 18 this year, almost 22,000 runners took to the streets of New York City to run the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. To those who don't like running, the thought of a 13.1-mile run probably sounds like something only insane people would willingly sign up for. Well, I'm one of the crazy ones, but I had my reasons for taking on this challenge. I can think of thirteen substantial reasons for a 13.1 mile run, and here's why you should take on the challenge too:

1. To gain access to a new community.

Training for the race opens you up to a whole world of people who are as inspired as you are and share a similar passion. The love for this sport brings together a diverse group of individuals to do something fun and healthy.

2. To support a great cause.

I received a guaranteed race entry by signing up to run with Team for Kids (TFK) and committing to raise $1310 for the charity organization. TFK organizes youth fitness programs across the country, and it's so important for kids to adopt an active lifestyle early on. Runners affiliated with TFK raised over $740,000 through this race, which means that kids across the country will benefit from New York Road Runners (NYRR) youth programs.

3. To inspire those who are younger than you.

NYRR youth programs help kids build their confidence, their motivation, and their desire to stay physically active for the rest of their life. If these kids can run and reap the joys of the sport, you can too. At mile 8 in Times Square, I saw young kids running on the same course and was inspired by them to push myself even further.

4. To have a goal to work towards.

The few weeks before the race is a series of building up mileage and speed, and every time you set a new record for yourself, it's something to be celebrated. These mini-milestones all lead to your final goal which culminates on race day.

5.To stay in shape.

Okay, so maybe you don't need to do such high-intensity cardio to stay in shape. But it also gives you an excuse to indulge in the food you want a little more often.

6. To make friends.

I've become better friends with multiple people just because we discovered that we both enjoy running. Going for a scenic run with a friend is a great way to start a conversation and spend time together. Maybe you'll both even convince each other to sign up for the race.

7. To have something else to focus on.

We all get extremely busy and stressed out by school, work, and personal life issues. It's great to have access to a healthy stress reliever and focus on something else once in a while.

8. To have an excuse for more “me time.”

The night before the race, I slept at 9:30 pm. When else could I ever do that without having people say I'm an old lady? In the months leading up to the NYC Half, I made sure to get enough rest and take time for myself. 7-8 hours of sleep is really the dream.

9. To explore the city you’re in.

On the bus to the starting line, I met one gentleman who was running 40 half marathons in 40 weeks. Just let that sink in for a second. He's going to see the world by literally running around it. Have you ever been more awe-struck in your life?

10. To build mental stamina and dedication.

After a certain point, long distance running becomes more about putting one foot in front of the other and mentally convincing yourself that you can do just a little bit more. A mentor told me to "run the first third with your legs, the second third with your head, and the last third with your heart." This is what kept me going on race day, and now in other parts of my life too.

11. To support those who have supported you.

So you ran with a charity and fundraised a good sum of money, and in the weeks leading up to the race, your friends all motivated you for the big day. When you feel like stopping at mile 10 because nothing seems worth that pain in your legs, you need to remember how much people contributed to supporting you and remind yourself that you're running not just for yourself, but for your friends and family too.

12. To prove yourself that you can do anything you set your mind to.

There is no better feeling than crossing the finishing line and finally walking. The first thought that crosses your mind is "wow, I just did that." Months of hard work have paid off, and now you know for a fact that if you could do this, you can accomplish anything else you are dedicated to.

13. To do it all over again.

Why stop at one race? You will absolutely want to keep running and feel the joy of succeeding at the end of every race. It's an addiction worth having.

You just gained access to a community of runners, who are some of the most supportive and inspired individuals you'll ever meet. Take the challenge and push yourself to do those 13.1 miles, because they're so worth it.