Why I Run

It's National Running Day...and I can't run yet after the stress fracture in my foot. But someone else reflected on why they run today and I thought I would do the same. It was August 15, 2008 when I received a call at 7:30 AM from the nurse at my doctor's office that I had Type II Diabetes and needed to come in that morning. I expected that I would be diagnosed at some point since I am overweight and have significant family history...but I didn't expect it at age 32. After the initial shock I decided that I needed to start getting some exercise. I started walking 20 minutes on the treadmill every few days...the treadmill that we bought in 2004 when we bought the house and had relatively little use since then. Then I started adding a little time. My undergrad roommate/best friend Kara told me that I should do a Halloween race with her called "Run Like Hell" - it was three miles long. I told her that I couldn't walk 3 miles and that I would finish last...but she convinced me I could do it. I did...I didn't finish last...and I loved it. Then I looked for other races and found Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving. My sisters Heather and Jenny were going to be here for Thanksgiving so I recruited them to walk with me. It was great fun. Then I did the Jingle Bell for Arthritis in December. I was hooked. A friend from high school who used the Indianapolis Mini Marathon as a fundraiser for his organization convinced another friend from high school to walk the Mini - but she said she would only do it if I would do it...and so I agreed. But then I knew I really needed to get serious. I got a real pair of walking shoes and started training - on my own and a lot of treadmill time. I was able to finish the Mini and was super excited about it. After the Mini I thought maybe I could start stepping it up and running a little. I started running the races I was doing. And I started racing a lot. Then Kara talked me into a triathlon...and I loved it. And then I did RAGBRAI in 2010. Best time ever. So, why do I run... 1) To manage my diabetes, depression, and blood pressure. While many of my family members have not had serious complications from their diabetes some have and some friends have as well. I would like to live a long, healthy life. 2) It is great stress relief and makes me feel better...even a "bad" run feels better than no run. 3) It gave me a whole host of new things to learn, read about and study. And I needed something to be interested in outside of work. 4) I have met so many great people through running and triathlon...and have been given great opportunities through the Indy Runners board, the Runner's Forum tri team, and Team Aquaphor. 5) Awesome way to enjoy outside! But can also be done inside when the weather is ridiculous. And sometimes it is fun to run in ridiculous weather - with the right people. 6) It's fun to push yourself beyond where you ever thought you could go and inspire others to do the same. 7) I like medals! And race bibs! 8) I like cake and cookies and ice cream...running (and cycling and swimming) allows me to have more treats than I really could handle otherwise. So that's why I run (and tri and ride) - why do you run?