It has come to my attention that not many people understand why some people run, or even work out at all. Guys at work think that just because it's winter we should all sit around and be lazy. I'm reminded that had I not been in excellent physical condition when I had my surgery, I would not have healed as quickly or as well. I think that's one of the best reasons to not just stay healthy, but strive to be in amazing shape. You never know when you'll have to deal with either physical or mental trauma, and being healthy and in shape can only help you get through that. Facing the daily onslaught of "why don't you just not run today? do it tomorrow! and so forth, I wrote down some of the most important reasons for why I lace up my tennis shoes when it's cold outside, or hot, or snowing or whatever.
I run because my days of swimming 2-3 hours a day, 6 days a week, are over and I need something to help quiet my mind and help me sleep at night. I run because I'm not naturally gifted with the strength and speed of a mountain goat and the next time I hump 40 lbs of gear up the hill may be my last. I run to forget what's best forgotten and to remember what worth remembering. I run to forgive those who have wronged me, and most importantly, to forgive myself. I know what it feels like to be unable to take a deep breath, so I run in order to fill my lungs with as much air as possible. I run so that I know that my legs can take me miles from where I stand, while some people are unable to walk at all. I run to let off steam, or prevent it from building in the first place so that I don't kill the next guy who ticks me off. So the next time I say I have to fit a run into my schedule, don't try to talk me out of it. The life you save may very well be your own.
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