Why Run?

The other day, a friend asked, "Out of all the things you could have picked.  Why did you decide to start running?"

Which begged the question, why do I run?

So, on my 11-miler this morning, I focused on the question and came up with these thoughts.

• I run alone because it is the only time of the day that I'm truly by myself.
• I lose myself in the path, the trees, the wind, the moment.
• I can not do it and anything else...it will not allow me to multi task, it's sort of selfish that way.
• I feel my heart beating....I feel my legs throbbing....I feel sweat dripping...I feel me.
• I point to an accomplishment.  5 miles...a new route...a faster pace...a harder hill.
• I come back changed.  More able to give.  More able to cope.  More able to endure.
• I practice sacrificing and committing to the time and to the pain.
• I feel alive.  
• I meditate on what is most important and forgive myself for the places I've fallen down.
• I recognize that I can do more than I thought I could...physically and mentally.

Below is a picture of where I'm headed next...in 2 weeks, I'll be running
the Chicago Half Marathon alone on Lake Shore Drive remembering why I run.

The Chicago lakefront path (courtesy of Chicago Runner Girl blog)