Why Do I Run?

This is an excerpt from a something I wrote a few years back...in a nutshell, it explains why we runners do what we do.

Why do I run? It has been asked of me more times than I can count.

This year, I took on the challenge of running a marathon for the second time. And, while the race was much more difficult than the one I ran last year...as my husband so succinctly put it, the finish was even more satisfying. Because, despite the adversity I faced, I did finish.

So ask me again...why do I run? Sometimes, it is just to finish.

Other times it is for what I was thinking at mile 20 when my husband drove by in our mini van. I told him after the race, if he had opened the door, I might have considered jumping in. Then I rethought my statement and said "no, actually, I don't think I would have." With my daughters cheering me on, this was not the example I wanted to set -- quitting so close to the finish.

Why do I run? Because I know they are watching and learning and taking it all in. Because I hear them say, "when I grow up, I want to be just like you mom." I want them to see their race, whatever race they are in, through to the end...to persevere in spite of their humanness.

I run for the woman at mile 18 who was in so much pain she was gritting her teeth and gasping. The one who eventually had to stop so that she might be able to run again another day.

Why do I run? I run because I can. Because it is something than many cannot do. I can push my body to a point that, at one time, I never thought possible and still live to talk about it at the other end. I can run for 26 miles straight and still be standing at the end...because I can!

Many times I run because of the feeling I had when I crossed the starting line of my 26.2 mile journey to the strains of theme from "Chariots of Fire." Or when I saw the man at mile seven who was playing "Roll Out The Barrel" on his accordion for all the runners to enjoy (I am from Wisconsin after all!). I run for that little girl who joined dad's race for 100 yards at mile 13.

Why do I run? I run for the joy of it. I run because I know I am able to take this flesh and blood that God gave me, endure the pain and trials and in the end, find pure happiness.