Why Run????

Someone asked my husband (who is brutally honest) this question one day, but since we are working on his tactfulness, instead of the response that popped into his head (to stare at girls' in sports bras, to get cool medals, my wife makes me) he said, "I don't know, because."  I know, so profound, right?  However, it got me thinking- why do I run?  It definitely isn't because my wife makes me, or to look at girls' in sports bras (although sometimes I feel like running could make me one of those cute girls in a sports bra!), but maybe the cool medals are a perk??

But upon further reflection, I realized these were not reasons I ran.  For me, the purpose of running is more than looking good in a bikini, relieving stress, or being able to eat that slice (or four) of my favorite "food group," pizza.  Running is where my heart is.  It's like the pretend Nike commercial from "What Women Want"; I run because "it's just me and the road."  It's because the road doesn't care if I look good in my running clothes, if my hair stays in a perfect braid, if I gained five pounds, if I can hold a tune, or if I had a bad day and am in a really grumpy mood.  The road just cares that I am there.  I can stay for two miles, four, or even twelve, as long as I am there.  

The road will listen if I cry, scream, or even when I just want silence.  Ultimately, despite all the ways running makes me feel better, I run because when I am running I can be me, completely.  And in today's diplomatic world, it feels good to just be yourself, to be what your heart wants.  Thus, running is where the heart is, and this blog will show you the running in my heart.