Why We "Run"

I use the term "run" very loosely here. I'm not a real runner - although there are certain magical times when I'm out exercising that I do feel like a real runner - what I do can more accurately be described as panting, gasping for breath, sucking wind, or if you're being polite - jogging.

I was thinking about this today while I was out for a run. I ran over 4 miles today - finally back to my "normal" pre-winter distance (boy, I love Spring!). I was thinking about why I do this self-inflicted torture several times per week, and why I'm still doing it after nearly a year.

Matt and I talk about it sometimes. We don't look like runners. We're short. We have short legs. We have flabby stomachs. It's okay, I can say this about both of us and not be worried Matt will be angry. We are what we are, and supermodels we aren't.

So, why do we do it? Well, we do it so we don't gain tremendous amounts of weight and have trouble walking let alone running. We do it because if we stop and then try to start up again, we know it will hurt. A lot. Those first few weeks are so painful on the legs. We don't ever want to go back to Stage 1.

We do it because we actually enjoy it. Shocker! Well, not so much a shocker for Matt - he's been running faithfully for years. He did cross country in high school and has run for several years since then. Me, it's a total shocker. I've run off and on (mostly off) since before I had Alie. I was quite consistent before I got pregnant with her and the fell off the wagon - succumbed to morning sickness and "can't get my lazy arse out of bed" sickness as well.

After I had Alie, I came back to running - did a few 5K's (pushing Alie in the jogging stroller even). I left running for a few years when I had Colby and now I'm finally back at it. More consistent than ever before. Since I'm done having kids, I think I might actually stick with it this time. Running has been like a good, old friend to me. No matter how long you're out of touch, that friend always welcomes you back like it was just yesterday that you were together.

But, I'm no runner. As I said before, I'm short, overweight and I'm not athletic at all. But, I'm still plodding along - albeit at a snail's pace. I don't run for speed (do I really need confirmation of how truly slow I am? Really.). I don't run for distance (I don't clock every route to see how far I've gone - sometimes, but not usually). I run simply because I enjoy it.

Enjoyment. Now, that's somethin'.