Why I Run

Someone recently tweeted out the message "Why do you run?".  In response I said (somewhat) facetiously "I run in hopes that boys will chase me".  Well, in fact, there is some level of truth to that, I suppose...

However, this past week I've rediscovered yet another reason to run.  It keeps me from committing homicide, being locked away in a psych ward or from simply lying in the corner in the fetal position.  It's been a stressful time at work.  Events that have transpired have done an amazing job of beating me up emotionally and making me doubt relationships I had built over many years.  There were days that getting out of bed seemed like far more than I could handle...facing it (mostly) alone made it that much tougher. When I could barely function because it was feeling like too much, though, a run always helped.  I would arrive at the starting point feeling like I had been beaten up and had nothing left.  The first km or so is always tough....but somewhere along the way I would realize the feelings of pain, disappointment and emotional exhaustion were being left farther and farther behind with every step I took.  Soon I felt free, rejuvenated and like I could face not only what was happening at work - but that I could take on the world.  The feeling doesn't last forever (if only I could bottle it and take a hit whenever needed) but it provides enough of a break that I can face all that is happening again.  It is like with each run I get just a little bit stronger - not just physically but emotionally as well.

So, this is why I run...Because life throws us unfair curve balls and some times it is hard to deal with them...but running gives me the strength to get through them all.  (Though it would be nice on those rough days to have someone around to hold me in his arms and help to block out the world for a little while...so I will also continue to run in hopes boys will chase me!).