Life oh Life.

A few weeks back Big Peach mentioned a free 5k in their little email newsletter and since I have told myself that when I run I am running nothing less than the 5k distance I thought this would be a great little training run.  I was pumped.  I was excited.  I planned my day out perfectly.  I skipped my lunch break so I could get out early and try to beat some of that awful awful Peach Pass traffic that jacks up 285 then life and work happened.

And by the time I hit 285, I knew I had at the minimum 1 hour to just go like 10 miles.... but I had to go further than 10 miles.  I had to get to Decatur.  And I knew it would not happen.  So I ranted to Kyle on the phone about my bad day and fed my brother's cats and then put on my shoes and ran on my own.

bad days make for the best run days.  they're mind clearing.  calming.  let you think.  let you get the frusterations and the annoyances out.  i just lose myself in my pace and my steps and my music.   i would say i need more bad days but i hate bad days.   but i do need more runs.

so it sucks i missed the free 5k, but i do have a real structured 5k on Saturday so I will knock that on out.  And life goes on...

...but i happier non-running related news.  My Erin Condren planner came and I am in love. love love.

why do i run?

one of my favorite blogger’s allie posted on the reasons why she runs (you can find her blog and her entry here).  and with that and even though i do not hit the pavement or treadmill nearly as much as i want and need to, i have decided to piggy back her idea and explain why i run.

we all know i started running about this time last year (holy moly, my runniversy is coming up in may!!) and i did so because i got involved with a little organization called team in training.  i got involved because my friend from middle school and high school was diagnosed with CML (chronic myelogenous leukemia) which is a non-curable, but manageable form of leukemia.  i wanted to do something to show i cared and wanted to help her and find a cure. so. i ran. and i walked. and i ran some more. and i loved it.

so a year later (almost) i am still running and in bullet form, these are my reasons.

• i have a stressful job and sometimes i just need to exhale
• sometimes i need to have a hour alone to myself
• so i can eat cupcakes and lots of them
• the running clothes – so funky and fun
• it gives me a reason to discover more great music
• the running community is just inspiring
• it is an excuse to take a hour away from the office to enjoy the weather
• there is nothing like crossing the finish line of a marathon – total sense of accomplishment – even more than graduating college
• finishing ANY race is a feat and makes you thankful and grateful for your abilities
• i have a legitimate excuse to go get a massage
• knowing that you have burned 1000 calories before most people are awake is a pretty awesome feeling
• it reminds me to shave my legs more than 2 times per week
• you cannot rely on anyone else to make you do well – how you do is all a direct result of how you prepared
• the free tech tees at the end of races. oh and the medals
• i can eat brownies and cookies without feeling too guilty
• i know that if i am ever being chased i can make it pretty far and hopefully escape
• Most importantly, it’s all about the mental toughness
• last but certainly not least – because i want to and because i can

think about it … why do you run?!