Why Do I Run?

to be the boss of me

to hold back the spread

to watch my Nike+ person make me proud

to accomplish something hard

to listen to great books

relieve stress

to build confidence.

Because I can


I don’t “run” per se--at least not in the high-school/college way, but rather, I walk fast, shuffle, sprint and pant--in that ‘over 40’ way. Still, I get where I am going—eventually.

Life comes at me in a series of realizations. As a child, I realized all things were possible for me. As a young adult, I learned that is not true. As a maturing adult, I started to live around that truth. Now, I’m believing more for myself again, making a concerted effort to beat back my own self-imposed limitations. My shuffle-run is part of that process.

A great runner told me “You don’t have to look good running. In fact, being conscious of that actually impedes the experience.”

Shuffle like an old man. Take deep breaths like you don’t care who is looking at you from the side. Strap down everything that moves too much, and go. Go slow. Go fast. Go without music. Go with music. Be selfish; feed yourself with effort, your personal pacing--and go.

What has happened to me since I joined Nike+ and started to reclaim a few hours in the week with walk/running? I’ve found new friends on-line who have become new friends in person. I’ve become more assertive in areas I wouldn’t even try before. I’ve lost a little weight. (I like chocolate too much for “a lot” of weight.) I sleep better. My mind is clearer. I don’t eat as bad. I’ve gone through several pairs of running shoes. I’ve given some to Soles4Souls. I’ve earned two medals. (Not because I won against anyone—rather because I “showed up.”)

Does it feel great? Not until I am done. Do I find a thousand reasons not to put my shoes on and go? All the time. Everytime. But it doesn’t matter. When I can decide to do something that is hard for me, and actually do it—that is a victory. That is worth celebrating.

But even better than all that, is the spirit of this event. Lose something of yourself, and pass it on to people who need it. Run with me, and feed children who will literally die if someone doesn’t run to them, run for them. Meet a selfish goal for an unselfish end. It’s so simple.

Come, try with me to change the world, or even more difficult, to change yourself.