Why I Love to Run

I really don't know when it happened. It wasn't last year I'm sure. It was sometime in the early part of this year. I really started to enjoy running. It no longer became a slog that I kept putting off through out the day. It became fun. It became something that I look forward to it. If that sounds pretty annoying to you, believe I totally get it. I was always irritated by the people that proclaimed, "I love exercise just for how it makes me feel!" Oh blow it out your ear! That's what I used to think. But now I have become one of THOSE people. Do you want to hear something ultra annoying? I made a decision to give running a rest for the remainder of July and August due to the heat and our upcoming vacation. I had a bought a great sculpting video and decided to just focus on doing that until September. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't NOT run and kept finding ways to fit in a run here and there until I just gave up and started up again and now I am running 3 miles 3 times a week. Isn't that just sickening? But first let me tell you why I love it and maybe you will understand.

1. It is my ONLY alone time. Contrary to popular belief work is not alone time. And neither is the day that Jared spends time with the kids. On those days I am doing things. Meeting deadlines, doing chores, taking calls, organizing, planning, cleaning, negotiating, analyzing..well you get it. Not ME time. But AH running is ME time. I am alone with my thoughts. And unless I choose to bring my IPod along, I have silence. Just me and the open street. Alone with my thoughts, ideas, prayers, vision. And sometimes I achieve that very rare state of mind where I truly think about nothing. I don't experience this anytime other than when I'm running.

2. I have epiphanies when I run. I know that this has to do with the fact that my brain clears out when I run. It's like I am a blank slate from the moment I step out the door. I can't find any other reason for this other than it is a straight gift from God. I have new and surprising thoughts about the way I look at life, my relationships with other people, how I want to raise my kids, how I measure happiness and contentment. I always seem to come back from my run with a new outlook on some aspect in my life.

3. Stress level and anxiety reducer- I am person that deals with anxiety. Not just your every day run of the mill "I'm so nervous" anxiety  but some true anxiety. I have been known to have full blown panic attacks for no good reason. Running helps reduce that greatly. I can always count on a good run to calm my nerves and anxiety. And I can say that since I've been running consistently I haven't had one panic attack. Now that's a great reason for me to run.

4. The Physical Aspect.  Ok the truth is that running doesn't necessarily help me lose weight. I know. Bummer.  But it does help me keep weight off. There is a difference.

5. The sense of accomplishment. I just love finishing a race. Thinking about the weeks that I trained leading up to the race fills me with  a great  sense of pride. And everytime I cross the finish line I thank God that he allowed my body to do this. The truth is,   anybody can do these races. ANYBODY. Even half marathons (Side note: I think it takes a special person to do a full marathon. Something I have not attempted yet) . Anyone can do them if you put in the time to train.

6. And Finally...The SWAG! Ok this is totally superficial and has more to do with why I love running races. But I love me a good race shirt. Especially if it's a tech shirt (not cotton). You can get some pretty cool things at these races. Check out what you get at the race I am planning on running in February.