Why do we run????

[gatorphipps]

As I was running my LR (of 14 miles) this past Friday I thought about the reasons I push my body to places I never thought it could go. I think it is important to think about the reasons we run. Many of us are getting ready to take on the WDW 1/2 or full marathon. Some are even doing both.

So to give inspiration, I thought we could list the reasons we run, bike, swim, walk, or whatever you do to push the limits.

Here are my top 11. I am sure there are more, but this is good for now:
1) To show my sweet DD8 and DD6 that anything is possible.
2) It makes me a better mommy, wife and person.
3) So I can eat whatever I want, duh!
4) It is a free sport! Yeah right!
5) When I am faced with an impossible or scarry situation, I can think about what I have overcome in the end stages of a race.
6) It helps me feel strong.
7) I like the pain and being able to overcome it! (this is not being hurt pain...but the pain at the end of 39.3 miles in 2 days )
8) Bragging rights..but you cannot have these w/out the pain!
9) Because I can! It is my therapy and is cheaper than seeing a counselor!
10) So I can run past the bikers that passed me in a tri! I run better than I bike and swim.
11) I like the taste of Gatoraid.

 

[Kristi1357]

I only started this walking/running thing in January.

Chad (dh) has been running for years. He's done the Disney marathon since 2002. Each year, I do my 'run' around the parks taking pics of him, thinking "I could do this." I see people of all shapes, sizes, ages, etc. able to finish. And then each year, I lose my gusto once we get home and stay my couch potato self.

Last year, my Mom decided to do the Half marathon with Chad. She has fibromyalgia and she still trained like crazy. She finished in about 3 hours.

So, since my mom can do this, I certainly have NO excuses! And I need to lose these last 10 lbs. on weight watchers. So, at the end of January, Mom & I signed up for the Minnie 15k. I thought 9.3 miles was alot more do-able than 13.1. Still scary as anything, but more reasonable for a beginner. And it was a girls' weekend trip to WDW! What is a better reward than that?

Of course, Mom totally kicked my butt on the Minnie, but I finished and did not get swept! That was the goal and I did it! I also had so much fun during the race. I didn't expect to not want it to be over. I had a blast finding DIS buddies and talking to them. I got a couple pics with characters. I wanted to take in as much as I could without being a victim of that dreaded sweeper bus. Nevermind, we got the first ever Minnie medals!

Ok, so I come home from the Minnie and with no race to keep my behind in gear, I almost completely stop exercising. I am the type of person who *needs* a threat of a race to get out there. So, I signed up for the WDW 1/2 since I am going to root Chad on for the Goofy anyway. Then I decide that's too long to wait for a "threat." So, I find a charity and sign up for DL since I was also going there to root for Chad.

I guess I am just really getting addicted to this. I want so badly to be a healthy role model for Zachary. I was never into any kind of sports and I want Zack to be active as he grows up. I can't wait to buy my own Garmin (instead of stealing Chad's all the time). I am dying to save up to buy a really good pair of running sunglasses since I am sick of pushing mine up on my nose every 2 seconds.

I never in a million years would have thought I'd be saying any of the above either!

 

[goingthedistance]

It's an excuse to go back to Disney!

Ok, it also reaffirms to myself that I can accomplish anything at all if I really set my mind to it. Life is a marathon...it is a long and challenging path. With the proper training, attitude, and support, you can make it through a marathon. You can even finish the marathon with a smile on your face! At times, the race is incredibly difficult and you question why you are doing it. But you perservere, and you feel better for it! In life, there are many times that we question "Why?" and we have a challenge that seems difficult to overcome. But with the correct training, attitude, and support you can overcome life's challenges too!

There are not very many things out there that can surpass the feeling of accomplishment and personal satisfaction that you get after you achieve your goal...be it a half, a full, a TRI, a Goofy, or even starting out and taking that first walk around the block. For me, finishing the Goofy has to be a top 5 moment of my life. It does not pass getting married or the birth of my daughter...but it is up there. That feeling will be with me forever, and I run to remind myself of that feeling, and to reinforce the knowledge that I can overcome anything!

Paul

 

[plutosmyfav]

I started exercising to burn calories. It didn't take long to learn that running was the fastest way for me to burn calories so I started running... Then I became addicted.

Now that I'm addicted I run because:

1) It balances me. When I'm stressed or anxious or worried or bored, or have had a bad interaction with someon, a good long run washes all that junk out.

2) It defines me. I remember a few years back overhearing a conversation where a man said, "me? I run, but he's a runner". That stuck with me and I pondered it for a long time thinking, "I want to be a runner". At some point, I crossed over and I know I am a runner and don't ever want to go back!

3) When the runs right, there is absolutely nothing better than that "I'm at one with the world" feeling. I'll suffer many a stonker in search of the next "aha" run.

4) of course, its still to burn calories so I can eat more, too.

5) It keeps me occupied, or should I say consumed? Therefore, not leaving too much time to dwell on negativity.

6) Because I can. In all my years I never would have dreamed I could run a marathon, now I am taking on Goofy '07

7) To be a good role model for my children. DS needs to be active to thwart the sugar/chubby gene he inherited from me, DD needs to be active for health and confidence. I'm constantly working on getting them addicted to running

8) Racing is a blast!

9) The self-satisfaction and confidence boost of hitting the wall and pushing through.

10) Those brief miles during a LR when I feel totally invincible.

And last but certainly not least, to be apart of this WISH Team!

Sunny

 

[taz4disney]

from "The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer"...If you're having trouble remembering why you decided to do this..."Training for and running a marathon is not a single event; rather, it is an experience. It is a discovery of self that will forever change your perceptions, perspectives, priorities and possibilities. You will meet yourself at what you thought were the boundaries of your potential and endurance and watch in awe as they evaporate to reveal only open expanse. To know that the only boundaries in life are those which we create ourselves is discovery which can not be taught – it must be experienced. For once you have seen the view from the mountain top, living a life of voluntary blindness is no longer as option." Hope this thought helps you keep moving foward.


CJ - Fishers, IN
1k @ a time

 

[xterratri]

Because back in the late 70s some macho males had an arguement about what was the hardest event- the Honolulu Marathon, the Waikiki 2.4 mile swim race, or the Around Oahu 112 mile bike race. They decided to form an event that combined all three to see who was the most hardcore, best all around athlete and Ironman was born. I think it was 12 racers, 7 finishers that first year and then event moved to the Big Island of Hawaii in the early 80s.

So because some goofus decided to stick a marathon at the end of a triathlon, I run

And it gives me an excuse to travel to some interesting places- I have a wish list of triathlons and running events I want to do

 

[chimera]

In order of how this all began:

I run because...

1. My family swims at the shallow end of the gene pool. My mom is diabetic with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and low thyroid. She had her first heart attack at age 50. Her father started having heart attacks in his late 30s and was dead at 42. I had fasting blood sugars in the prediabetic range and was prehypertensive after my second DD was born 3 years ago.

2. I needed to lose weight. When I started my current job in Nov, 2004, I weighed 180 lbs. Patients now tell me I look nothing like the photo on my hospital ID.

3. I want my family to be healthy and to set a good example for my daughters. DD13 did the Minnie with me and is now registered for the WDW half. I'm trying to get DH to do a 4-mile race that his company is sponsoring in Sept.

4. I shoes! And what could be better than purple shoes?!?!?

5. I love the sense of accomplishment after I complete a new distance or increase my pace.

6. I love the excitement of a race, whether it's a half marathon or a local 5K.

7. I want to be an athlete again...I want to be better, stronger, faster than ever before. I hope to still be competing when I'm in the 60+ age groups ('cause maybe then I'll get an age group award )

8. Lastly, I run because...I can. The 3 weeks I couldn't run because of injury were devastating.

 

[TiffJ]

I love this thread! Thanks for starting it Christa So many of us have similar reasons and I think we all "get it" That is why this is such a great group. My friends & family are very supportive but they don't "get it" and it helps to have this group to understand how very much this all means to me. If it wasnt for you guys I would have never signed up for my first event (2006 1/2). And of course now I'm addicted. Noone would ever think that I would actually be addicted to something that was good for me. Overeating, yes! Sitting on the couch watching tv all weekend, yes! Doing 3 1/2 marathons in a year, NO WAY NOT TIFFANY!!!!! I am proud of the athlete I am becoming and I am proud to be living a healthier lifestyle. I have been overweight & unhealthy most of my adult life. I am on my way to losing that weight & the inspiration to get off my butt is these races (and to look cute in the running clothes I want to buy). O.k. now for my reasons list.

1. To stay active , to lose more weight & get to goal weight for the first time since high school. The races are my motivation to keep moving!

2. Be healthy for my family
3. Be a good role model for my kids & get DS8 off his butt too. He is not interested in team sports & is also has that chubby gene Sunny spoke of. He has gotten very interested in doing 5k's, triathlons & cycling. So he can be healthy too!

4. Become an athlete for the first time in my life. I have never been one, even when I was younger. This is something where I can become an athlete & just compete against myself (and that darned sweeper bus)

5. Do things that no one, including myself thought I could do.

6. Braging rights and sense of accomplishment! Yep, I did a half marathon and a 15k so far this year & have 2 more halves scheduled

7. Never being an athlete, I have never earned any trophies. Now I am collecting a whole lot of kewl jewelry from these races!

I know there are many more reasons that will come to me later. Keep posting guys! I love reading this thread.

CJ- I love that quote! I want to get that book but have not been able to find it at the local bookstores, guess I just need to order it from Amazon.

 

[gatorphipps]

Never being an athlete, I have never earned any trophies. Now I am collecting a whole lot of kewl jewelry from these races!

AHHH, yeah, the kewl bling bling!

CJ - I have to agree, that quote was amazing!

I also have a DD8 with a chubby gene.....She is the main reason I run! We sometimes do it together.

 

[solotraveler]

Wow, Great thread idea!

I actually saw this yesterday morning and really thought about it during yesterday evening's and this morning's runs. I always sort of come back to that day in 2001 when, in a moment of overconfident insanity, thought "Hey, I can do that." It took me five long years of trying and quitting to get me to that start line, but I don't think I'd wish it any other way.

Anyhow, here's a lot of my "why" :

1. It teaches me about myself. I still believe that I learned more about myself and what I am capable over the course of 6 months of marathon training than I had in the previous ten years.

2. It makes me strong. Both physically and mentally.

3. It challenges me to push myself beyond what I think I am capable of. I feel like there are so few times in life where we try to tackle things we think we might fail at. The marathon was a big one of those for me. The results of that have been so far-reaching for me-- the decision to finish my degree and many things in my daily like and work. Once you know what you can really do when you set your mind to it, you just can't accept less from yourself.

4. It centers me. I can tackle things much more easily when I'm running consistantly.

5. It de-stresses me. I have a crazy job and am a full time student. My runs are either a zen experience where I can shut out the world for a time or they really help me think through things.

6. It makes getting healthy easier. Running is that mental check that helps me get in the gym and eat right as well.

7. The marathon race experience is both awe-inspring and humbling. I would not give up a future filled with them for the world.

8. It makes me proud of myself. At the end of every single long run, or anytime I really push myself on my pace-- I can't help but smile.

9. Mmmmm..... gel.....

Thank Christa for starting this thread. It was very worthwhile for me to think about it before I got into serious Goofy training. (What was I thinking???)

Kevin

 

[scoolover]

A lot of the time you hear, because I can. December 8, 2005 I weighed 375. The next day, I had gastric bypass surgery and have lost 140 lbs. I literally could not run a quarter of a mile before surgery. 3 days ago I ran 10 miles. January 7 will be 13 months post-op for me and I will complete my first marathon. For me, because I can is literal. That, and all of my friends are impressed. Suckers!

 

[WDWFAN9]

Honestly, it was this WISH board that inspired me to get moving. Prior to Jan 05 I was a confirmed couch potato. I stumbled across postings by the 2005 WISHers and started thinking....hmmm.... for WDW I could do that. It has been quite an adventure! And a huge sense of accomplishment. For me I think that is one of the biggest things, I'd never challenged myself physically before, it feels so good to set a goal and meet it.

This is a from an email my DS19 sent to me the afternoon after last year's half:

Mom, I just wanted to let you know how proud of you I am! It takes a
lot of work, courage, dedication, and mental strength to train and
prepare for the half marathon, along with travelling alone(scary!!). I'm
proud to say that you are my Mom! I love you!!!

~Craig

Yep, I want to be a good example for my children. Oh, just a little explanation about his "traveling alone" comment.....I do NOT like to fly, and generally when we travel I follow my DH through the airport and on the plane with my head buried in the latest Star Trek novel, pretending I am traveling by bus. So flying by myself was a biggie for me! And I did it

Life is full of possibilities!

 

[wtpclc]

I started becaus ethe thought of running through WDW sounded awesome, and dh had always wated to run a marathon.

Really? I did it to get a trip to WDW out of dh. Seriously, that's it.

However, I got more out of training for a marthon than I ever dreamed of. (In no particular order)

1. Time that dh and I spend together to reach for a common goal.

2. The high at the end of a long run.

3. Accomplishing something I never dreamed possible, even when I was in my running prime.

4. Meeting the nbest support group I've ever known.

5. SHowing myself that I could be a runner again.

 

[plutosmyfav]

No fair! Scott & Pat made me cry, but it was that warm happy cry

This is an awsome thread.

And how could I have forgot the bling

Sunny

 

[Inkmahm]

A lot of the time you hear, because I can. December 8, 2005 I weighed 375. The next day, I had gastric bypass surgery and have lost 140 lbs. I literally could not run a quarter of a mile before surgery. 3 days ago I ran 10 miles. January 7 will be 13 months post-op for me and I will complete my first marathon. For me, because I can is literal. That, and all of my friends are impressed. Suckers!

Very cool. I'm going to have that surgery myself as soon as my insurance company approves it (any day now!) I'm walking now for exercise, but it isn't fun at this weight. I'll be much happier when I can move easier. Who knows, maybe I'll end up being a runner, too!

 

[Calcio]

There are many reasons that running is one of my passions. The one I like best is pretty long-term, 25 or 30 years in the future. I'm planning on taking Martha to Paris when we're both well into our 70's, and we plan on enjoying and seeing the city just like we did this last March, walking and metro-ing all over. By staying active and strong, in spite of the unavoidable loss of speed, endurance and strength as we age, I plan to make this dream a reality.

Craig

 

[CJK]

I hope you all don't mind my interrupting your thread. I stumbled across this thread and I have to say that I'm in AWE of all of you. I can just feel your love and passion for running. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations for all you've accomplished and continue to do. You really inspire me.

I consider myself a non-runner, but I'm trying to change that. Three years ago I did a mini triathlon and really loved it. I was on a high for weeks after that and having my family cheer me on at the finish line was wonderful! Since then, I returned to my couch potato ways and gained weight. As of June 12th, I've gotten back to exercise and healthy eating. In the last couple weeks, I've really kicked up my running (on the treadmill for now - so hot outside). I'm alternating between running and a brisk walk, with 80 seconds of running and 40 seconds of walking. I did it for 52 minutes today.

I know that sounds quite small and simple to all of you, but boy, after reading this thread, I feel like I could do it all over again today and more! I'm gradually reducing the walking part and hope to be a full fledged runner soon. Thanks so much for sharing all of your stories and your lists of why you run. I hope your passion is contagious. Thanks for being so inspiring! Best wishes for continued success.

 

[chimera]

Welcome CJK!

No interruption at all...in fact, you're welcome to join us in the walking/running club threads. Many of us are doing intervals just like you are. Be careful hanging around this bunch though...you may find yourself signing up for races and planning vacations around where you can run.......

In fact, do I see that you'll be at F&W? There's a lovely 10K the weekend of Oct 7 at WDW...Race for the Taste.

 

[wtpclc]

CJK! Your post gave me goose bumps!!! We've all been there. In fact, the only reason we signed up for the 07 marathon is that we will turn back into couch potatoes if we didn't have a goal! 07 half is filling up fast....

Please come join our weekly training threads. For support, encouragement and fun! You don't have to be entered for teh marathon or anything, we ust want to support each other!

 

[wtpclc]

Woo hoo! Booked my flight!