Why…

Posted July 9th, 2010 by KellBell

Lately I’ve been getting asked why I run. Well…actually…I get asked why I run by my cycling friends who think I am crazy, I get asked why I ride by my running friends who also think I am crazy, and I am asked by all kinds of people why I don’t do triathlons since I already run and ride. After reading an article from someone else on why they and others run I started to really think about the answers. What I have found is that the answers to each of these are separate yet the same, and simple yet complex.

I’m not one of those non-athletes that turned to running or cycling in the midst of a midlife crisis or moment of enlightenment. I basically started playing soccer the moment I could walk and stumbled upon ultimate frisbee during my college years. Both sports were played at a very competitive level that were mentally and physically demanding…and yes…both required a lot of running. As for cycling, that happened for a couple of different reasons: 1 – My husband cycles and wanted to get me on a bike, 2 – I blew my knee out playing soccer (of course) and riding a bike was good rehab for me. Basically, being physically active has always been a part of my life so I didn’t turn to either of these activities to all of a sudden find the athlete in me. Yet, what I have discovered is that these aren’t the reasons why I do those things.

So why do I run? Well…to answer that one I would also be answering why I ride.  I run and ride because I can. Yes there are thousands, nay, millions of others who can do these things too, but there are countless others who cannot. There is, however, a difference in riding your bike to the store or for leisure and riding your bike for hours on end. The same can be said about running. Running a mile is actually a pretty big deal given the numbers of people who cannot even do just that. But there is a big difference in running that 1-3 or even 5 miles as your way to stay fit and running miles on end to complete your first or 20th half marathon or marathon. It is that difference that keeps me going. The challenge of pushing my body to and past its limits and the feeling of success at the end of an 85 mile ride or 1/2 marathon are a key factor in why I do what I do. I can do it and I can do it in a way that keeps me pushing further and harder. There is always another challenge around the corner and preparation to be had in order to get there. It is those things that keep me going. Two years ago I could barely ride my bike 20 miles before dying, and two years ago there was no way I thought I would have 5 half marathons completed and a full marathon looming in October. But the “because I can” goes a bit deeper than that.

Running because I can means just a bit more to me than riding because I can. Like I said earlier, the answers are the same yet different. This is where my answer to why I run diverges a bit. While I run because I can, I also run for all of those who cannot. There are friends and family who cannot do what I do. Some are a bit older in age and taking on the kinds of runs I do would do more harm than good. Some are a bit out of shape (some more than others) and although they may get to this point of activity themselves someday, right now they aren’t there. Others are just no longer here with us – taken from us painfully and far too soon. I run for them – all of them – for so many reasons. I want to inspire others to see past their obstacles and do the things they want to do whether it be something physical like running a marathon or mental like moving on to a better job or life. I want to run for my friends who have gone who inspired me one way or another. They should be here running or doing whatever they want too, and I am angry and sad that they no longer can. I guess you can say that I run both in their memory and because of my pain. I run for those who have helped mold me into who I am. And while they may not be able to run half or full marathons, I want them to see that I can do these things because of the strength that they gave me. Yet while I run for those who cannot, I also run for myself.

Running provides the opportunity for quite a bit of me time. So does riding, actually. With running I can run away my stresses, my anger, my disappointment. It is physically demanding in a different way from riding and it is a good outlet for me to expunge the negative thoughts, the bad feelings…well…just all of the icky stuff. I suppose there are times where I am literally running away from things, but when I come back – and I always come back – I have a clearer mind and heart. Riding is much the same, but it provides a whole different perspective. Climbing that one hill to get to the awesome descent, and amazing views puts life in perspective in a different way. I haven’t gotten to the point where I can completely solve my life’s problems while on the bike, but I can gain a lot more clarity.

Ok. I think you have a clear picture of why I run and ride…as crazy or sane as the reasoning may be. And by this point you may be a bit curious as to why – since I ride and run so much as it is – I don’t do triathlons. The answer to this is simple…it requires me to swim. Don’t get me wrong, I love the water and I do swim, but I swim for fun and not with a purpose. Maybe I’ll venture into the tri world someday, but that would have to be when I can fit yet another sport into my already crazy schedule.