Why I Run

I wrote the free association exercise below in response to Another Mother Runner’s call for “Why I Run” story submissions.  I wasn’t going to submit anything at all, feeling that my story’s not all that interesting or motivational.  Running itself isn’t a new thing for me; I’ve worked moderately hard to be fit most of my life; I haven’t overcome illness or major injury to get where I am today… my running journey’s pretty darned blah compared to some others out there.

But when I really started thinking about it – about why I run – answers kept coming at me like an all-out assault from the cavalry.  Turns out, I run for a lot of reasons.  I’ll share them here and pass the question along.

Why do you run?

I run… to feel the breeze against my face,

To wave to my neighbors,

To see the family of ospreys nesting down the road.

I run… to hear my footsteps quicken against the pavement,

To show my child how to work toward a goal,

To burn off last night’s cupcake.

I run… to clear my mind,

To get away from pressure and stress,

To find a happy place inside.

I run… to keep a healthy heart,

To beat last month’s pace,

To make a difference in someone else’s life.

I run… to see shiny medals around my neck,

To feel a deep, inner sense of pride,

To feel pain and joy and exhaustion and know that I am alive.

I run…

Because I can.

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