Why I run.

There was a great article in Runner’s World recently about why you run and more specifically, that when you do a race you should advertise your motivation.  It got me thinking about why I run.  My motivation has changed over the 13 or so years since I started running.  I first started running when I was in my late 20’s to stay in shape.  I’m goal oriented so I immediately signed up and trained for a 5k.  Honestly, it was kind of miserable but I was hooked.  I kept doing longer races until finally I did a marathon.  I started doing triathlons and six years ago, I finished an Ironman.  After my daughter was born two years ago, it was just easier to make time for running than for cycling and swimming so I’ve been focusing on my first love, running.  Right now I’m training for my seventh marathon.

Over the past 13 years running has been therapeutic for me.  It has helped me work through bad boyfriends and work stress.  On my worst days it got me through miscarriage and infertility.  But it helped me celebrate my wedding as I ran the Maui Marathon two days after I got married.  And ultimately it helped me get back into shape after my much longed for baby arrived.  Both my brothers and my mother run, so running for me has so many good memories of my family together at races.  At one time or another we’ve been the runner or the cheerleader and it’s a great feeling on both sides.

Ultimately I run because it makes me feel strong.  Or as my mom says “to see what you’re made of.”  I run for me but I also run for my daughter.  To show her that women are strong and athletic and well, made of tough stuff.  I am passionate about running and I hope to inspire other moms to get out there and run like a girl.