10 Things I Think I Love About Running

While checking out one of my favorite iPad apps; ZITE tonight I found a terrific blog post at www.irunnerblog.com. He is a marathon runner and has a terrific blog that I now follow. He was posting his top 10 list about his love of running to keep himself inspired.

Last week Lennie and I started a new 10k running clinic with the Running Room. Lennie has never run before but he thought as a Christmas gift it would be great to do one together. Turns out that he is fantastic at running, unfortunately has a bad knee, and didn't realize how hard it was to run. As a great, frequent hockey player, he thought that his physical strength from hockey would carry over into running. After he ran his first 6k he said, "I respect you even more now for running 42 of those." It was hilarious to see him struggle to get up the stairs for the first couple of days. He then commented "I have never relied on handrails so much in my life." Too funny to hear him moaning and groaning about sore muscles.

www.irunnerblog.com asked his Twitter followers to help him stay motivated and he got a response from @TriMeOn who suggested that he "list ten things you love about running……..”. I decided that to keep myself moving forward and excited about running that I would do the same thing. 

We all know that I do not love running but am trying it for a couple of years to see if it is something I can see myself doing for many more years to come.  Being "big" and the thyroid thing do not help provide success in this sport.  Runners are fit, lean, fast and a tad crazy and I am only a few of those things :) Making this list helps me realize that running is great and I love the people and success of it but not necessarily the work involved.

10 Things I Think I Love About Running...

...being able to drink lots of chocolate milk
...talking about running with Lish and Lindsay
...being in Springbank Park for hours on end
...tracking my mileage on www.dailymile.com
...pushing myself during tempo runs
...wearing capri tights
...finish line photos
...the Port Stanley Sunday summer runs
...the look on people's faces when they find out I am a marathoner
...my Garmin watch

I could go on and on and will continue to focus on how fun races are, the wonderful friends I have made, and that it has added years to my life.

What would be on your love of running list?

Reality or Fate...or does it really matter?

The reality is that I could talk for hours and hours about this past weekend in Chicago.  Top 4 in my life's proudest moments, (marriage, masters degree and award of distinction are the other 3) tears at the start line, getting my medal and finishing in time for my name to appear in the paper. 
I could tell you about the expo, the heat, the fans and the mile markers.  I could list the 15 ways that I am going to take 1 hour off my time for next year...hopefully cooler temps, drop 16 pounds, less high-fiving :), no 10:1s, only walk the water stations, less sightseeing during the race:), and keep my shoes dry.  But, really I am having a hard time believing what I see every time I walk into my laundry room and see my wall of fame (as I have named it). 
Last October, weighing 230 pounds I go to a hockey game, bump into an acquaintance (who now is a great bud), chat about working out, join a running club and bingo bango bongo a year later I run a marathon - seriously...who does that?
If I can run a 10km race, then 3 1/2 marathons, and then a full marathon in 1 year ANYONE can do it.
The race itself is not the hard part - it is the fun part.  The tough part is sticking to a workout schedule, following a training plan and maintaining healthy choices.  I needed to lose more weight, stop drinking so much, eat better and make some social sacrifices order to be prepared to race.
I realize that millions and millions of people have completed marathons, run races and sacrificed for a goal but when I think of myself as someone who "sticks to it" I am just not that kind of person.  I am not a quitter and never have been but just someone who doesn't say she is going to do stuff because I don't want to let anyone down.  But, for some strange reason and for some strange year, I pulled this off. 
Why wasn't I able to do this years ago when I was in my 20s or even in my 30s??? 
I wonder if it's a maturity thing, or I needed to have the Crohns/thyroid health scare stuff or I needed to find these running people in my life?  Maybe it's just fate but does it really matter?  I did it and to me, that is what matters most.