why exactly do I run???

When my alarm goes off at 3:45 am and I wake up all dazed and confused I often think, why in the world am I waking up so early to run? I mean, REALLY? In the middle of our runs, when I can't breathe and sweat is dripping in my eyes, I wonder if I am loco! When I forked out $100's for chiro appointments and massages due to a hip injury, I thought I was out of my mind. There must be some really good reasons why I follow through with this running hobby. So I thought it might help if I journaled those reasons so I can look back on them in the future.

#1. I run because it was something that I never thought I would be able to do, especially with my bad back. I had back surgery 5 years ago and my doctors advice was: stand as much as possible, no high heels and when I asked about working out, he advised maybe swimming or walking. But no running! Well, 5 years later, here I am training for my 1st (because it won't be my last) half marathon. I noticed when I run, my back pain would go away. The more I did it, the less I had back problems. I have not had an episode in about 18 months. woohoo!!

#2. I run because I like to push my limits/boundaries. Obviously from #1 above, you can see that I am stubborn. Tell me I can't do something, and I will find a way. I believe you have to make your own destiny. I don't run to compete with other's or to "win the race" I run to push myself. Over time I want to beat my time/distance/etc. I have tried many things in my life and I have failed at a few of them. You never know what you can do, until you try.

#3. I run for me time. I am a mother to 4 wonderful kids. We have two 13 year olds (my son Collin and step daughter-that we raise Destiny). Then there is Sydnee my 10 year old daughter and 7 year old Gavin. As you can imagine with 4 kids, we have no free time. We are on the go all the time and usually in the middle of a "season" of one sport or another. I believe every couple needs grown up time and we get that when the kids go to see "their other parents". But I also believe I need ME time. I get this in my running and I do go to the gym on my lunch hours to lift weights with a class I have attended off/on for about 2 years. You meet some really positive uplifting people when you join groups like these.

#4. I run to stay in shape. I run to clear my head. I run to stay smoke free (I quit smoking 2 years ago and am so much healthier!). I run to buy cool shoes, bras, running clothes and shot bloks!

#5. I run for the friendships. I run every run with 3 other women. Bridget, Susie my sister-in-law and Jennie my sister. I invited these ladies and many more to join me in the C25K program this past December. We run with Soul 2 Sole Sisters. I am so grateful to have both groups of ladies. I have formed closer relationships with all of them. And I have met new wonderful ladies that I look forward to running with every week.

#6. I run to inspire my kids to be active and healthy! Im trying not to raise couch potato video addicted kids. I figure if they see me being active and trying new things, they will do the same.

Next week we are running 9 miles so we are well into our Half Marathon training! I will never forget, my son's pre school teacher Jackie Parks, who is part of S2S, she would post pictures and posts about her runs on Facebook. I remember seeing one of her posts. She ran 10 miles, I believe for the 1st time. She posted a picture of her Garmin to show the distance and time. And I thought, how does anyone run 10 miles straight and in "x" amount of time? That amazed me then, and still does now. I think I will know I have "made it" when I run those 10 miles in 3 weeks! I am so grateful for Jackie's posts on FB. She is what motivated me to take up running!

I know that running will be part of my life for a long time. I have set many goals for myself that center around running. I just can't wait to run our race September 30th! That's going to be a big day for all of us! I am so proud of all the ladies that are training with our group! We are all working so hard!