Monday Project - I run because...

I'm going to cheat a little this week.  I completed this Monday project months ago, so when I dug it out Tuesday I felt like I was cheating.  Until I read it again and it brought me to tears.  I'm seriously considering a break from The Daily Mile.  I love the site, but it causes me to compare myself to others too much, then get down on myself for not being as fast as everyone.  I'm not enjoying running any more because I push myself then get frustrated because it wasn't enough.

The Triathalon training program I'm starting next week is more about training in your target heart rate zones, and focuses more on time then distance.  Actually it never specifics distances.  Maybe this will be the break I need.  I'm good at being mediocre.  I'm good at "to finish" challenges.  Maybe I'll start enjoying it again.

Without further ado...



It started out as a whim. A friend of mine and I had started counting calories earlier in the year, we took spin classes and weight classes together. Then out of the blue she called and said “I think we should train for a 5K, I’ve just found this program online.”


It was, of course, the Couch to 5K program. We signed up for our first race, but part of the way through the training she was sidelined and couldn’t compete with me.  I remembered being nervous and excited – my only goal was to run the entire 5K, no walking in between. I had run 3 miles in training, but always on a track. The course was hilly, but I managed to meet my goal.

After my first race – I was hooked. It was probably the rush of setting a goal then pushing myself to meet it. I finished 11th out of 16 in my age group, but I’d never felt more like a winner in my life.

Why do I run?

I run for me.

I run for weight loss/maintenance.

I run for health.

I run for the high.

I run for the sense of accomplishment.

I run for my niece and nephew.

My niece, who’s 5, has already said she wants to run races like her Aunt Boo.

My nephew, who’s 16 months, was unofficially diagnosed with asthma this week. Instead of getting upset about it, my sister told my mom “If Brooke can have it, and go on to run a half marathon, its not gonna hold him back.”

That makes me incredibly proud. So I guess it all comes back to…

I run for me.

What about you?