Is a Runner

Why Do I Run?  

Lately, I've had a few people ask me "Amber, why do you run?" and consequently I have been asking that question of myself as well.  Why? you might wonder does picking up and putting down you feet for miles and miles each week even sound fun to me.  

Well, I'll tell you why I run.   

(and even if you haven't asked yourself this question, just humor me by reading along). 

Thanks. 

I run to be alone.  

I run to be with friends. 

I run to see the darkness turn into light during the early morning hours. 

I run to have conversations with friends that I would never have if I wasn't running with them.  (seriously, running really makes me feel like talking. . . . and I probably say more than I ever should).  

I run because I don't have to have a membership.  Just my running shoes and I am set.  

I run because it is hard.  It is hard no matter what.  Without fail the first mile of my run I always wonder if I have ever run before.  Then, it gets easier.  Without fail the hardness gets easier -- every time.  True of a lot more than just running right!?

I run because I love the feel at the top of 400 North.  Almost more than I love running back down 400 North I love the feel at the top.  (400 south is a different story. . . at the top of 400 south I just feel grateful to have made it to the top -- kind of like the hill at Veyo in the St. George Marahon). 

I run to silently clear my mind. 

I run because I can, and I am grateful for that.  

I run because it is like a daily adventure.  I never know where my mind and feet are going to take me.  My mind takes me anywhere and everywhere:  somewhere fun to recall, somewhere painful that I need to remember and then get over, somewhere in the future, a place where I can dream, somewhere beautiful, somewhere where I make it through the hard times, somewhere I love.  Mostly, while running, my mind takes me places I love.  My feet take me beautiful places, scary places that I have to run just a little faster to get out of, places that hold memories, and places where memories are made.  

I run because it teaches me patience.  I think.  Patience with my body and my heart (both physically and emotionally -- I think sometimes my heart gains more emotionally/spiritually then it does physically)

I run because sometimes it is too cold to ride my bike, but it is never to cold to run.  Sometimes, the colder the better.  

I run because maybe, just maybe I'll see someone I can wave at and it just might start their day off right. I know it always makes mine better when I start it by smiling at a familiar face.  

I run because I'm not actually coordinated enough to do aerobics or zumba or things like that.  Seriously, I'm not.  

I run in the rain and the snow and the sunshine and the dark and the warm and the cold and everything in-between. 

I run to appreciate the seasons.  

I run to set and accomplish goals. 

I run because I want to be healthy and live for a long time. 

I run because I love it.  And, even when I don't I run anyway and then I do love it. 

I am a runner.  

I need to take more pictures of recent races. 

Top of Utah 2009

Turkey Trot 2010

Running in a blizzard with Mike last weekend 15 miles of snow and great conversation. 

Peach Days 2009. . . . Seriously, can I have those arms back!?