The 10 Truths About Running

So, today was a GREAT day.... It may only be noon, but it has already surpassed all my days in this new year, save the one where my best friend had her baby. This is why it was GREAT.... running... yes... running. Today, I got up and I opened up the apartment because I heard that it was going to be like 50something today. Now, in the past months, those are usually big fat lies when the weatherperson says there will be a warm up, so it was not a fling the windows open kind of morning, but a tentative cracking, feeling, then "whooopee"ing.

Now, I have been sick since Tuesday, but slowly getting better, and after over doing it at volleyball last night afterschool, I thought that I would lay low... that was until I got up and realized that I could run... OUTSIDE!!!! While running, with a smile on my face the entire time, I came up with a small list of truths about running... Maybe it will inspire you to strap on some tennis shoes, maybe it will make you think I'm a dork, but read and enjoy if you choose.


1. Running is a sport that you can fall in love with all over again each spring, especially if you are like me and get into the doldrums from running inside and on a treadmill during the winter.

2. Running is the most expensive, cheap sport out there.... While you might think that hopping in tennis shoes and running is cheap, you could become addicted to the wicking shirts and shorts, synthetic socks, GPS units, etc. But cotton t's and sweats could work for you too.

3. Running is a high better than any other kind, because nothing beats seeing the finish line at a big race, tackling a new distance, or breaking a new PR.... or just taking an hour to literally run from your issues to clear your head.

4. Running is an unbeleivably personal thing that is so easily shared with others... go to a race and listen to the conversations... talking about a set back or an injury, encouraging others to do their best.

5. Running can make you burst into tears at times... hopefully good ones... like reaching the end of the Chicago Marathon, and making that final left turn... seeing the finish line and realizing that you are actually going to make it across in one (a very sore one) piece, and that not everyone can say that they did it.

6. Running is something that you can take on the road with you... no matter where you are, you can slip on some shoes and hit the pavement, grass, beach... whatever the scenery.

7. Running is a wonderful drug, that when taken correctly, can fix any problem that you might have, including a bad day.

8. Running is what you make of it. It can be losing weight. It can be a way to meet people. It can be a way to get back to nature. It can be a way to clear your head. It can be a friend when you aren't feeling very friendly.

9. Running can be easily changed with the addition of a new goal, a new place to run to, a new playlist on your iPod, no iPod to listen to, a new friend to run with.

10. Running pretty much Rocks....


So, there are my running truths, re-discovered on my short 3 mile run this afternoon OUTSIDE!!! Sadly, I know that I won't get the outside run for a while again, but just that tiny piece of happiness is enough to get me through the next few months.