I run (as my Road ID will attest) because I can.
I run because I can...be a better me. I am a 30-something mom to two beautiful kids...challenging, but adorable. My life as a mom often stresses me out...or rather, my life as a mom, wife, housekeeper, teacher, sister, daughter, friend, runner, reader, cook, etc. does. It seems I can never keep up with all my roles at once. So I run. I run to remember who I am and to refocus so I can be the best I can be in all my roles.
I run because I can...raise awareness and funds. I also use my running (or I guess I could say my health) to raise money for the causes I believe in. Right now, that's the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. In November 2010, I participated in the Dallas 3-Day for the Cure and walked 60 miles with my amazing team of 8 women, who managed to raise right at $20,000 for breast cancer awareness and research. I chose to do this because in the fall of 2009, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a mastectomy, she is free from cancer, prasie God!
I also chose to fundraise and run the Dallas Rock 'N' Roll Half Marathon in March for the Susan G. Komen Marathon for the Cure pledge program. I committed to raise $250, but I was able to raise $300. You'd think that would be easy compared to the $3,000 I raised last year, but it wasn't. Still, every dollar means we're a dollar closer to a cure.
And now, I'm running as part of Team World Vision with my Colonial church family to raise funds for clean drinking water for Africa and other underdeveloped countries. I'll be running the 13.1 Dallas with the team and raising (hopefully) $650 along the way.
I run because I can...push myself to do more. I am choosing to set several smaller goals this year. The first is that I'd like to break 28 in a 5K race. I came so close in Kansas City in July, so I think I can do this. The second is I'd like to break an hour in a 10K race. I ran a sub-60 10K on my own at the tail end of last year, but I'd like to see that number on a race results page somewhere. And the third is I'm going to run my third half marathon in October.
I run because I can...preserve a memory. I'd also like to eventually work with and raise funds for Team Fox as part of the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Ultimately, I'd like to do a marathon while raising money for Parkinson's research and awareness. My grandmother, my Gomie, suffered from a disease similar to Parkinson's, and I can think of nothing better to honor her memory than to prevent someone else from losing their own grandmother too soon.
I run because I can...make a difference in the future. I also run to set a good example for my kids. I want our family to be healthy...physically, mentally and spiritually. I think these things are all connected and strenthened through the discipline we learn throughout life. And it's fun. What better way to do all that?!
I run...because I can.
