National Running Day: Why I run.
It was June 2005 when I stepped on that treadmill on the Fitness Center in Intech Park. I worked for a company that subsidized our gym membership. The gym was in the same building. And our President, Vice President, et al were all runners. I wanted them to see that when I put my mind to something, there is no stopping me. I wanted them to know that my commitment to success was not just something they’d see in the Boiler Room. I wanted to prove myself to them. I didn’t even think, at the time, what it would mean to me.
So at lunch one day, I started the treadmill. Many other coworkers were in there too so my pride was at stake. I set the speed to 4.5 and started running. Yes, I know how slow this may sound, but I was still running. And panting. And sweating. I couldn’t breathe. My lungs were on fire. But at about 15 minutes, I saw the monitor click to 1.0 miles and I stopped. I looked around expecting the world to applaud.
The next day I did 1.5 miles (with a few breaks) and the next week, I did 2 miles. Two slow, hard mother effing miles. But the following week, I did 2 miles every day, Monday-Friday. My hips hurt. My shins splint. My quads ached. I was wearing old sorority tshirts that pooled sweat. I distracted myself by learning to say the alphabet backwards. I watched “Felicity” reruns on the TV monitor in front of me. I did anything to keep my mind from telling me “Meggie. You can’t do this.”
Now, 7 years later, I have run 8 marathons and one ultra marathon. Running is as much a part of my life as anything else. And lately, I have had quite a few people tell me that this blog has made them think about running for the first time. So on National Running Day, (today!) I am going to list the reasons I run. Because maybe one of these things will register with you. Maybe you’ll lace up those sneaks and go for a 15 minute mile like I did that first time. Maybe you’ll become hooked and end up smoking me in my next marathon. I wouldn’t put it past you. Anything is possible.
I run because…..
- I can. My dad has Parkinson’s Disease. I watch him struggle with every single daily task from eating, standing up, walking, talking. When I want to quit because my legs are tired, I remember my dad and all of the others that can’t run. It’s my privilege and honor to be able to put one foot in front of the other.
- I like food. And no, I don’t mean salmon and celery. I mean bread and pasta and cheese and cookies and ice cream. Running gives me a bit more flexibility to incorporate some of these foods in my diet with less guilt.
- it’s my equalizer. When I am sad. Angry. Stressed. When I feel out of control. When I feel insecure or down on myself. Running makes it all better. Every single time, it makes it all better.
- of the relationships this sport has given me. The Perfect Strangers have become a family to me. We support each other in ways unfathomable to those who don’t put in the miles we do together. We laugh. We cry. We email every day. We share our deepest fears and secrets. We don’t judge. We just run and love. That’s one helluva combination.
- before I started running, I felt like I was a thin girl trapped in a bigger body. Running shed those layers for me. Now I am just me. And though I probably have as many (if not more) image issues than the average girl, I can look in the mirror and be satisfied with the person looking back at me. Running gave that to me.
- it feeds my constant need for accomplishment. In school I had to get As. At work, I have to hit 100%+ of my quota. But I am always looking for more–to feel like I am growing and achieving. So when I hit a PR in a race, it rivals any academic or work-related accomplishment I have ever done.
- it’s simple. I don’t need a pool to swim in. Or a team to play basketball with. I don’t need special exercise equipment. I just need a road and tennis shoes.
- I collect experiences from each run/race I do. Whether it’s seeing a herd of deer standing on the Monon Trail in December while big snowflakes fall around me. Or when I dunked my head in a fountain at the Eiteljorg Museum because I was so hot. Or when I saw a man riding his bike whilst playing the guitar. Or when I ran along the river in Florence, through Vatican City in Rome, through Regent’s Park in London, by the ocean in Mexico. Running expands my horizons.
- nothing feels as good as crossing the finish line of a marathon.
- I have a tattoo on my back that says “And miles to go before I sleep.” It’s my life motto. And it’s permanent so there’s no quitting for this girl.
- I can be selfish when I run. I can speed up or slow down at my prerogative. I can run longer or shorter. I can run solo or with friends. I can wear ridiculous socks. I can wear barely there shorts. I can run listening to the Jersey Boys Soundtrack mixed with Ludacris. When I am running, it’s for me.
So let’s hear it runners, why do you run? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. Let’s see if we can motivate those who are teetering on the edge of their very own running journey. Yes, we know it’s hard. And it will suck at the beginning. Your lungs will feel like a wildfire. And your legs will feel like each weighs 600 lbs. But I can promise if you stick with it, you too will have a long list of reasons why you did. And you’ll never regret it. Ever.
The post about your dad reminds me of my mother. She was always active with walking and biking and then about 18 years ago was diagnosed with MS. Now she has trouble just sitting up in her chair. It’s why when I hear about people at a mall fighting over a parking spot I shake my head. Sometimes you’re lucky just to walk.
I’m sorry to hear about your mom. You definitely have the right attitude though. Appreciate all the little things….
I am running the Muck Ruckus for MS!
Hey Meggie!
I’ve just got back from a training run, one of those where your hamstrings hurt, it’s raining and everything just SUCKS. I turned on my laptop and read your post and it made me realise just HOW much I love running (even on days like today)
I wrote about why I run, on my blog, right before I did the London marathon. Here’s an excerpt:
“When I run, nothing matters. It’s just me and the sky and the ground beneath my feet. My day can be the shittiest-shitter of a day, my shoulders stooped and burdened with the cumbersome bags of emotion I regularly heave upon them, and yet when I run, I shake them free, my heart races and the furnace in my body burns with a fiery intensity. Running is so much more to me than just exercise. Running provides me with a mental and spiritual strength that I just cannot channel from any other source. Running brings me home and helps me to deepen my relationship with myself. A 20 mile training run can kick-up a multitude of physical challenges; blisters, cramping, chafing, swollen feet and aching, and yet the mental hurdles are often the worst to contend with, specifically the all-encompassing desire to just STOP.
But I never do.
I keep on running. I keep on digging deep. Running unleashes my inner-badass and I stride purposefully, powered by a strength that resonates and rumbles loudly from within. Running challenges everything I think I am. I’ve never been one to stick at anything, I half-heartedly practice playing the guitar, I don’t update my blog near enough as much as I intend to, I make plans and then break them, but I rarely miss a run. I am consistent and disciplined and I. Stick. At. It.
Running is where I find my peace, my thoughts flow through with the clarity of water from the freshest spring, I feel capable and content and peaceful.
I run because I can”.
This is so beautifully written. And so true. I have chills reading it. Thank you for putting it so honestly. So raw. So eloquently. I’m lucky to have “met” you
Awesome post and, um, I kind of stole it for my FB page – hope you don’t mind. Love your list and I might save it to motivate myself when I need it because I agree with so many of them. Not to steal from you (again) but my #1 is definitely that I run because I can. I know it is a bit cliche but I simply know so freakin’ many people who would give anything to be healthy or able enough to put one foot and front of the other and enjoy some fresh air. I owe it to them to take advantage of the health that I do have.
Meggie, this is a GREAT post…. so encouraging and inspiring! I so agree on RUNNING BECAUSE YOU CAN…. my Mom was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis when I was 16 years old ~ forever changing her life {and mine}. So when I feel like quitting, I remind myself that I CAN run and I do. And I so look forward to the day {hopefully next year} when I cross the finish line after achieving 26.2 miles. You are a great inspiration to achieve those goals Girl!
Thanks, Kim. I have no doubt you can do 26.2 and can’t wait to hear all about it when you do! I am so sorry to hear about your mom. It’s incredibly difficult to see someone you love go through those struggles. You have an awesome attitude.
I have been lurking on your blog and tweets for a few months now and can’t say enough how inspiring it is to read about your runs. I was one of those people who started gaining weight in college and never stopped. Last January I randomly decided to get my ass off the couch and onto the treadmill. I started by just walking for an hour. Over time, I increased my pace and eventually tried running – just a minute at a time at first, then sprint intervals, then longer distances. Like you, my pace wasn’t fast at all when I first started. In fact, I don’t think you could even call it running. Fast forward to today…I am 75 pounds down and running 3 miles without stopping at a 9:30 pace!
When I run now, it’s almost like an out of body experience. It doesn’t feel real and I have a hard time believing that I’m running and actually enjoying it. Looking back, I can’t believe how far I’ve come. And I can’t wait to see how far I can push myself.
So I run because…
- I refuse to be unhealthy again
- I love challenging myself
- It clears my head after a long day
- I feel like a badass with each personal record, even if it’s only a half mile longer run or a few seconds shaved off my pace
Thanks for the great post!
I love your comment so much. YOU are the inspiration. Truly – I am so proud of you and I don’t even know you!!!! What a tremendous accomplishment and a damn good pace! Keep up the great work. And happy national running day!
What a great running inspiration you are, Meggie! Why I run (when I am not incubating this child. Only 8 more weeks. Thank God!)…
To be healthier. I too love to eat, but I also enjoy fitting into jeans that I wore in high school. Running helps me do both!
To inspire my 4 year old. I didn’t start this on purpose, but she now runs everywhere. She can’t wait to run races like her mommy. There are many times in “mommyhood” where I feel like I fail, but when I see my 4 year old rock a mile like its nothing, I think success!
I run in memory of my best friend from college. She lost her battle with brain cancer 4 years ago. Her family put on a memorial run for her and that is what got me running to start with. I swore that I would run the entire 8k (even though I didn’t know how far that was!) and I did it. And I cried the whole way remembering how in college we would go for a run, then go get a blizzard. So now when I run her 8k, I go get a blizzard afterwards;)
Not being able to run the last few months has shown me how much I love it. It had become a part of me! One that I cannot wait to return to!!!
What an amazing story. Not only to be able to honor your best friend, but to inspire your girl! I absolutely love seeing kids getting geared up for races so that’s amazing that you have inspired her to love running too.
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and way to go on those high school jeans!!!!!
Who knew today was national running day?!?!? Of course you knew
I run for the following reasons:
1. Because I can. My legs work and my heart pumps. I’m taking advantage of my health. I may not be fast, I may never win a race, and I may walk during my marathons…but by golly I am DOING it.
2. To have me time. Running fills my tank. I cannot give to my job, to my family, to my friends unless I have given to myself. Fills me up so I can give to others.
3. To be a good role model for my girls. They see mommy leave for a run and return sweaty. They don’t care how fast or how long I ran…but just them seeing that I’m DOING it is motivation.
4. Sense of accomplishment. Pride. Bragging rights. Pictures to blog about.
5. To stay connected with friends. Perfect Strangers has given me a group of women that would put their lives on hold to listen to me cry, to hug me, to run silently next to me. The constant slap-slap-slapping of my PS girls next to me makes me feel so loved and proud to be a runner.
Love you and all you do. You’re definitely a huge motivator in my life. xoxo
I love this list. And love that your girls will grow up wanting to be runners too. Perfect Strangers 2.0
Love you< Kel.
Great list Meggie.
I run because I was completely shocked that a healthy 33 year old man could die from an aortic dissection. I run because my body told me I couldn’t. Then it craved more. I run because it keeps me in tune with my body. Running helped me recover faster from surgery to remove cervical cancer. I run because I inspired others to join me and now, after losing my way a bit and finding too many pounds came back, they inspire me. I run to set an example to my children to always take care of their bodies. I run to celebrate life. #DoGoodStuff
oh and to eat the occasional doughnut.
8 half marathons. 1 full.
up next Marine Corps 10K and THE GOOFY and a HALF CHALLENGE
Andi – what an inspiration you are! I love your list and congratulations on fighting cancer, extra pounds and all those inner demons we runners face. So glad I have gotten to know you recently!
I am one of those new-ish runners that you and Katie from Runs for Cookies has inspired.
I run because:
– I have to! I am active duty in the military. And if I ever deploy again, I may have to literally run for my life!
– My husband cant. He is also active duty military and he has back issues from his time in the service. He can no longer run. He can barely hold/carry our son for more than 5 or 10 minutes.
- I want to set the example for my son. I want him to grow up seeing me be active. I’d rather he want to play outside than sit in front of a screen.
– I love to eat! I love dark chocolate, ice cream, pasta, fresh bread, etc. And the occasional glass of wine.
– I actually like it. It’s shocking to me that I am actually enjoying running this time around. I have slowly been increasing my mileage and looking forward to running with just myself or with my dog and even with my son in the stroller.
- I am running for MS. I have a friend with it so I am running the Muck Ruckus to raise money.
I am sure there are more reasons but these are mine as I think of them right now.
I just sat down today to put together my training plan for the Air Force Half Marathon! But here’s what’s on the list until then: Dirty Dude Girl 10k trail run, Muck Ruckus for MS, Freedom 5k, Mudathlon and then the AF Half!
Meggie,
Peter Dunn pointed me in the direction of your blog. (I’m his intern for the summer) Your story is truly inspirational. I’m not a “natural runner” and I’ve experienced some of the same challenges you have written about. I’m finally training for my first half marathon, and your blog has inspired me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Thank you! Also, if you have any suggestions for running groups or great places to run in Indy, let me know!
Hi Erica! Pleasure to meet you!! And congrats on signing up for your first half marathon. You’ll be hooked!!!! I run always on the Monon or sometimes on the Canal downtown. And Indy Runners does an awesome running training program for people doing the Monumental half Marathon. They meet twice a week! Looking forward to meeting you at some point!