Why Do I Run?

- Because at times, it’s as if I have learned to fly
- To feel my feet skim over the ground
- To feel my heart swell in my chest
- To feel invincible
- To be free
- To avoid pain
- To feel pain
- Out of love and hate and anger and joy
- Because I crave it
- To be as healthy and strong as possible
- To prove to myself that I CAN
- To get to know my body better
- For the people who love me

We all have our reasons for running, for training for this marathon. Some of us probably didn’t even realize our reasons until we were halfway finished. Maybe some are just now realizing why we are doing it, less than 2 weeks from the marathon. No matter what your story or reason, I think we can all agree that we’ve become better people. Healthier people. Stronger people—mentally and physically.

We’ve met some really cool people and made great new friends who do things like send text messages during the week just to see how my knee is doing. Or meet for lunch so we can get to know each other better. These friendships will remain long after the marathon ends. And that is very cool.

Mark, Robin, Matt, and Scotty. You guys are the best. Thank you so much! And thanks to many of my fellow MM’ers who kept me going on Saturday mornings when all I really wanted to do was go back home and go to bed. Just seeing everyone out there week after week was so inspiring. I am very proud to be a part of this amazing group.

Of course, I have to thank Wayne “The Man” Jimenez. He is awesome! Between my shin splints and now my knee, he’s seen quite a bit of me. But, he is always willing to do whatever it takes to keep me running—and is genuinely glad to do it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

I, like a lot of you, came into this “marathon training thing” with some baggage. I’ve had periods in my life when I’ve allowed other people to make me feel worthless, insignificant, and even unworthy of love. So, even though I’ve gotten past those feelings, I guess a part of me wanted to do this marathon to show “them” that I AM special and significant. But, even if they don’t recognize it, I DO. And really, at the end of the day, that’s all that matters.