Why Run?

A friend asked me the other day why I ran since I hate it so much.  I gave the typical, "Oh, for my health" answer but honestly, that's just not it.

Don't get me wrong - health is the ultimate reason I run.  When I was *cough* younger, I worked out religiously.  And I was in decent shape - not GREAT, but decent shape.  I liked the way I looked, I was confident, and my self esteem was off the charts.  Then life got in the way - aka two kids named Olivia and Cooper - and suddenly working out ceased to exist.  I'm finally at a place where I want and need to work out again.  It's tough.  Very tough.  But it's getting easier every week.  Especially now that I'm seeing results - weight is coming off and the shape I USED to have is slowly somewhat coming back.  Can I get a BooYah?  BOOYAH!!!

Seriously though - the #1 reason I continue running even though I hate it.....is because of my Mom.  She's had two back surgeries since this summer.  It's been tough on her.  I complain all the time about how hard running is and she quietly says "I just wish I could walk" - WOW.   Here I am taking for granted the ability to run, when my Mom struggles on a daily basis with something as simple as walking.  Her back is slowly getting better, but she still has her bad days.  That's what I think about on the Rail Trail.....and that's what gets me back out there the next day.