why i run

.... or perhaps more aptly titled "why I TRY to run" (because I'm really not being politely humble when I say I'm no good at it). 

* because I like the way it feels when my ponytail swings from side to side. 

* because I'm a competitor by nature and there is no one that I'd rather beat than myself.  (okay, sometimes I like beating other people too)

* because it gives me an excuse to buy shoes in aggressive colors. 

* because I like cold morning air that makes my eyes water with a little bit of speed. 

* because I also like chips and salsa, and was born without the portion-control gene for that particular food group. 

* because there is reliability in roads and pavement. 

* because there is variability in trails and landscapes. 

 

* because I'm an endorphin addict. 

* because sometimes the roar of my lungs and the pounding of my heart is loud enough to drown out other useless thoughts.

* because I want my kids to see that a 30-something year old mom can be badass.  

*  because sometimes my house smells like chocolate chip cookies and I have to run. Literally run away from them, with the hope that they will be gone by the time I get back!

* because I love it when Donavon Frankenreiter, Muse, Jack Johnson, The Lumineers, Oasis, The Temper Trap, Dave Matthews, and maybe even Justin Bieber (don't tell) take turns singing in my earphones. LOUD!

​thanks @nella23pdx (twitter and instagram) for snapping this pic.

* because I like a challenge.

* because I like conquering a challenge.

* because Wheat Thins are like crack to me, (and they make really good cream cheese sandwiches.) 

* because when I run (early morning) I see other people running, and we nod or smile, and it's like we are all members in an elite little club of "go-getters". There is a mutual respect.

* because sweat and sunrise go well together.

* because unlike other ambiguous areas of life, fitness can be measured, tracked. 

* because I wrote this post in my head on a little 3 mile jaunt this morning.

 * because I can. 

Gotta run. Happy Friday!