Question of the Week: What’s Chasing You?!
So have you ever had this conversation with someone:
You: “I like to run.”
Them: “I only run when something is chasing me.”
I think the statement is hysterical. I can just see this happening; someone who never runs gets chased by large furry animal and they run like the wind.
I don’t understand it, of course. How could one not like to run? How could anyone who has ever pulled on a pair of jogging shoes and taken a run around the block not actually enjoyed the sweat, the heart pounding, the release, the tension reliever?
Nah, can’t get it. But still think it is hysterical.
On Sunday, as I ran my 10, I considered this statement, and then I thought: Perhaps all runners are running from something!
It may not be a large bear, or a thief, or a jilted lover.
It could be the fear of being complacent, or the desire to do something more than we believe we can do.
So my question of the week is, you guessed it: What’s chasing you?
My answer: The knowledge that if I can make my body do things that I think it can’t do, I can really do anything. I want to see that answer. I want to experience that phenomenom. When I pull on my shoes and run, I’m showing myself that I really can do it all. When I crossed that finish line at 26.2 miles the first and the second time, and when I crossed it numerous times when I did dozens of 5Ks and some shorter races, I was proving to myself I COULD.
So, what’s chasing you?!
NRR: 1: Was invited to do a tri with a girl I’ve recently met. She’s probablyt he funniest girl I’ve met in my life and it would be a great time, but husband feels the house has to be in tip top shape before daughter’s 5th birthday in a few weeks – so I’m passing. Sadly. I really wanted to try it. But she says there is another in September, and if it is not deathly hot I will do the one in July in Jax. And I know even if I can not finish, she would be there to keep me laughing across the finish line.
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Holly Bowne Says:
What’s chasing me? Quality of life. I actually can’t run now (plagued with knee and foot trouble), but I refuse to not work out in some way, shape or form. I’m chased by a desire for the best quality of life I can have.
That, and I really want to be able to keep eating chocolate.
Holly Bownes last blog post..European Vacation: Adventures in Rome – The Final Episode
admin Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 11:02 am
LOL, I hear you on the chocolate Holly! What kind of knee problems are you having? I’m getting through what I believe was ITBS – had to cut back a little on mileage but so far so good. I just got back into the pool and think I could love it ALMOST as much as running lol!
Posted on May 12th, 2009 at 11:05 am
JenniferG Says:
Yes, I am running from something. I am running from the thought of being a mediocre, middle aged, ho-hum, sacrificed-her-dreams-and-identity for (fill in the black here: child, man, parents)____ kind of woman.
When I run I feel like a warrior. I feel like I can conquer the world.. one step at a time.
JenniferGs last blog post..A Blessing Called Children
admin Reply:
May 13th, 2009 at 11:01 am
LOVE your reply! I am the same – one step at a time -
Posted on May 13th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Katie Says:
Your question reminds me of my favorite quotes:
“Somewhere in Africa, a gazelle wakes up at the break of dawn. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Somewhere else in Africa, a lion wakes up at the break of dawn. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. Now it doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or the gazelle,What matters is when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.”
So you might also ask, are you being chased or chasing something? Me, I have no idea. I just know that when I wake up in the morning I’d better be running.
Katies last blog post..Tuesday’s Training Update: Half Marathon May 24
Posted on May 14th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Middalia Wayman Says:
chasing after me is my former fat, depressed self I never want her to catch up with me. So I keep running
Middalia Waymans last blog post..First Run With A Twitter Friend
Posted on May 24th, 2009 at 11:33 pm