This one.
Even though I say my dad's passing motivated me to run, I've been a casual runner for years. I can remember my dad visiting me and I told him I was going to go for a run; I was a couple blocks from the house and felt someone following me. I turned around and saw my dad driving his car slowly behind me. He thought it was the funniest thing ever (I have a twisted sense of humor; we know where I get it from). I did not find the humor; it made me self-conscious and I turned around and went home.
My paternal grandmother passed away at 60 from heart disease; my dad passed away at 58 from the same. I joke and say "56 isn't looking good for me!" But, it's motivated me to get out there and do something about it...consistently. I finished my first 5k in 2012, finishing in 36:44. I truly thought I was going to die right there.
(This was before the race...afterwards, I didn't look as well!)
Running has become much more than that to me. It's a part of my being. When I don't run, I get cranky and feel off-kilter (more than we already know that I am!).
I run to burn off those extra calories I consumed...
I run to forget... forget about what's going on at work, forget about what's going on at home, forget about bills that are due, forget about my to do list.
When I started this journey, I didn't realize was the strong bond the community of runners have. We raise money for great causes. My friend had a stroke and was told she would never run again; we Ran for Amanda. Don't tell a runner what they can't do... Amanda just finished a half marathon in November and finished a full marathon yesterday.
(Me and the Hubs before the Race for Amanda!)
The friends I have made along the way are amazing. I have friends who are fast, I have friends who aren't. I have friends that are just starting out and can only run a few feet and I have friends who are ultra runners (I have one that just signed up to do a 24 hour race...now that's crazy!). But, we're all runners. Regardless of your speed, your distance... you run. You lace up, put your headphones in and you get out the door, or on the treadmill...you just do it. And that's what counts. That's what makes you a runner. John Bingham says it best:
(Thanks Google Image Search for the pic - My high school English teacher would be glad I tried to give credit where credit is due!).
The friendships I have forged during this journey are irreplaceable. I love my running girlfriends. We support each other, we motivate each other, we ask each other for advice and we vent. We are snarky; we are serious. We do more than run. We love.
In 2012, if someone would've told me I would've finished a half marathon and would be training for a full marathon, I would've literally fell on the floor laughing. But I did and I am.
And I couldn't have done it without the support of my husband, my family, and my friends.
So, why do I run? Because it's who I am. It took me 33 years to figure it out. But I am a runner, hear me roar...well, it's more of a pant, but you get my drift.
See you at the finish line!
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