There is no more of an individual sport - every runs for their own reason. The only common point is what was already mentioned - you need to love it. No matter what the goal - there's no use doing it unless you like it. If you train for a race and you're miserable doing it - it's probably not going to be worth it. If you're just happy to get out there for a daily run to personally reflect with no eyes on racing - so be it.You should do it so you enjoy it. If you dont enjoy running hard, then enjoy just going out for a run. No sense in grinding yourself into dust if it isnt enjoyable. Get your fitness level up then think about racing. Use a race in the future as a goal. Set certain short term goals that will allow you to take the next step in fitness or racing if that's what you want to be able to do. You can still improve your fitness without racing. Many people here run with lesser intensity in the offseason just improving fitness. You cant train hardcore 12 months a year or you'll burn out.
It is tough to run slow...believe me I deal with it every day. But over time it happens. A few years ago I was dying running 5 miles in 50 mins.
No one speaks it better than Fris IMO
Everyone has a different fire inside of them.....