I Run

I sometimes do not feel like running for the sake of running. So I have to come up with some other motive to run. When I first discovered I had high blood pressure, I immediately started using the fitness center where I work. The treadmill was my running foray, and the motive then was to get my blood pressure down. It worked. But the mission had been accomplished, so to speak, so I needed another reason to run. I saw a race bib pasted to a fellow cubicle dweller's wall one day. I was inspired to decorate my own drab, grey wall so I went out on the road. Many races later my wall was covered with bib numbers from 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon races. Then I started working at home, so the bib numbers went into a scrapbook. Collecting bib numbers, t-shirts, and other race swag is no longer novel. But I still have to get out there to run. At the heart of it all (literally) is my health, and I know I have to do it. So I just do it. But to get out there can be a chore especially during these long winter months. So I come up with smaller motives, motives that sound more fun than simply maintaining good health. So one day I'll decide to run on a new small side road or trail. That motive gets me out the door. Another day I'll look forward perhaps to seeing a neighbor outdoors and striking up a quick conversation ("quick" because I am running, after all). Occasionally the car has to go to the shop for the day and rather than try to figure out the logistics of another driver getting me there and back, I'll just run back home. And run back to get the car. Sure, sometimes I can't find a motive. But I'll still run, maybe a bit grudgingly at first. The miles get better, though. They always do.