I remember when I was a little girl, probably in 1st grade, my dad ran a road race & I went to watch it with my Mammy. I don't know the distance, and for some reason I want to say it was in Davison? Either way, I thought it was the coolest damn thing that he got a banana for running. (this was of course, when I was 7, before my curse of being allergic to bananas). I also remember all throughout elementary, every Crim, waking up before the sun & being a water volunteer at Aid Station 9. I LOVED it. I loved how all the runners & walkers were so happy even though they had just traveled 9 miles by foot and still weren't done. And I loved how the streams of people just never ended. And I loved handing them water in those green gatorade cups.
I remember in 8th grade gym class we had to do a timed mile and Mr Hunjo told me I was quite the runner and should consider joining the middle school cross country team. I was so excited that someone thought I was good at some sort of sport because I never had any coordination or depth perception, and to actually be good at something meant the world to me! Sooo then it began.
Since that day in gym class, my life has changed permanently. Running has brought me to many new adventures and places.. going to places I never would have thought existed, let alone thought I'd travel across by just putting one foot in front of the other. I hated the majority of high school, but come cross country camp, cross country season, and track season, I was a happy camper. All of my friendships had evolved from running one way or another it seemed.
After having Isabel, I started running again mostly to lose weight. I never thought I'd be decent again, and I just ran to get in some exercise. 3 years ago, I ran the Crim and not one, but TWO walkers beat me! I didn't care though, I LOVED that day. It was my first Crim as a participant. My mom was so worried I wouldn't make the full ten miles. Now she doesn't even think twice about 26.2miles.
Running has released stress from work & school & relationship troubles. Nothing makes me feel as good as running as fast as I can until I want to puke just to get everything off of my mind. It's funny what negativity you forget when you're out on a run.
Running has gotten me through 2 different bouts of depression. I don't really feel comfortable dishing on this one, but lets just say, I don't know if I'd be here as happy and content with life, without running. I used to think "anti anxiety meds" were the answer. I am "drug" free now, and happier and more focused on life in my entire life. And all I do is pound the pavement.
Running has helped me grieve. I never had to face the loss of a loved one until a few years ago. It was very hard for me to grasp. And even though it was the middle of winter, I'd strap on my five fingers, let my toes freeze, and run miles and miles, just sorting out everything. Trying to find out answers on life & death.
Running has helped me come up with my best ideas! It's amazing what you think of after about 8 miles. Seriously, I get my best ideas at about mile 10. I'm a genius when I'm running. I swear I need to bring a tape recorder so I can recap my ideas haha.
Running has brought SO many friendships that I know will be lifelong. I have met some AMAZING people.. mostly in the last few years. All because we have that one thing in common.
Running makes me feel like I can accomplish a whole lot of things. I mean, just to comprehend that you can so far in X amount of time, is awesome.
But probably the best thing? Seeing Isabel love running as much as me! She's only 5 and it's brought so much joy to her little life that I just melt with excitement.
So I guess next time someone asks why I love running, I'll give them this blog page ;)
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