i run so i can eat chocolate

I love to run. I love everything about it. It is hard sometimes, my knees hurt a lot.

But I do it. Sometimes I can’t reach my goal, other days I go farther than I had planned. But no matter what, it makes me smile. I am always glad I did it. How many things can you say that about?

I don’t have time to run. But I do it anyway. People are always saying they don’t have time to exercise. I say it is a necessity. Not a chore. It is something you have to do. Like breathing. Sleeping. Eating chocolate. Exercise isn’t optional, our bodies need it. We weren’t designed to sit in chairs and on couches all day and night, we were designed to explore, to scavenge, to be on the move.

Running can stave off a lot of things. Stress. Depression. Middle-age spread (and that’s getting harder to fight these days). It helps keeps you young. It forces you to fill your lungs with oxygen and breathe deeper than you would otherwise. Running is meditation in motion.

When I run, I spend quality time with Mother Nature. I feel the sun on my face. I run in the rain sometimes, and when it’s snowing. I don’t care what my hair looks like. I don’t care what I look like. I am only there to run. And believe me, it’s not a pretty sight. Especially in winter. I like to be warm, so I wear lots of layers. And two hats. Under a face mask. Seriously. My niece once said, “You’re going out in public like THAT?”

I said, “Yup.” And I didn’t mind at all. Because when I run it is just me, my two feet and the ground in front of me. Not much else matters. For that one hour, I am free, I am outside. And sometimes, on a good day, I am flying.

And that’s all I need. Well, that and chocolate.

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4 Responses to “i run so i can eat chocolate”

  • Tracy Says:
    February 11th, 2010 at 10:19 pm

    *grin* Two hats and a face mask?

    I read something recently via Twitter – a Tweet made by @uugal:

    Best I’ve accomplished: having children; gratitude everyday; NO TV news; planning my life around exercise, not the reverse; meaningful work.

    I thought the statement, “planning my life around exercise, not the reverse,” was fascinating. I also wondered if that is really possible for everyone? I don’t know.

    I do know that middle-age spread does not discriminate amongst us who live and breath by our computer work. *rueful smile*

    Reply
  • Gordon Says:
    February 14th, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    Tracy and I went to Mendon Ponds Park today (Valentine’s Day). Full of your type–people snowshoeing, running, cross country skiing. They all get it like you get it. We run because it’s hard, but it’s the good kind of hard. You feel a sense of accomplishment and your body rewards you with endorhpins. Sweet!

    Reply
  • Tracy Says:
    February 14th, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    I will not laugh.

    But I will point and chuckle.

    😉

    Reply

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