Another Year To Be Thankful

[gale]

As with anything in life, running is something that I
sometimes take for granted. I am sure that this
happens to others as well. Fortunately, I am often
reminded by events, conversations or setbacks that I
am lucky that I am able to run. With obesity and so
many health problems related to it at an all time
high, exercise is something lacking in many people‘s
daily routine. Running is a vehicle for us for a
lifetime of healthy living.

We are all part of the running community, but there
are many phases of running and a whole host of things
that motivate us to run. There are beginning runners
and those who have been running for years. Some of us
were competitive runners in high school and have
continued running. Some people begin running in their
forties some in their sixties. Some of us run because
we like to compete while others run just to stay in
shape. Yes, we all have different reasons for running
and we are all in different phases of our running, but
for most of us there is one common thread. We
continue to be a part of the running community because
we enjoy running.

I began running more than eight years ago after
watching a friend run the Chicago Marathon. My
motivation for running is different now than it was
then. Back then my goal was to simply finish my first
marathon. My finishing time was not a major a
concern. I trained by myself and labored through most
of my training runs, painstakingly counting the miles
of each run. As I recall, many of the miles were not
that much fun at all. I made a deal with my body that
if it could just get me through this one marathon,
that there would be no more running. My goal of
crossing that finish line was all that kept me going,
but after I crossed the finish line a moment of
realization occurred. I lived a dream and my goal now
became to finish another marathon in another year and
one a year for as many years as I could. Shortly
after this I heard about the Battle Creek Roadrunners
and I began running with others. I was no longer
running alone and running suddenly became more than a
challenge. It became an enjoyable activity.

My goals have changed from then. Through the years I
simply set goals to shave time off of each marathon.
Now my goals are to place in my age group at local
races and even some smaller marathons. My first
marathon was a whopping 4:38 and now I have run two
under three hours so I have seen much improvement,
which has been a combination of hard work and others
teaching me how to train and pushing me. Even with
all the PR’s, I realize that the day will soon come
when I will get slower and winning an age group will
no longer be what I strive for. If I keep running
long enough, I am certain that there will be a day
when I run another 4:38 marathon or even slower, but
as long as I am still running I will always be
satisfied.

My short term running goals will constantly change,
but I hope that my long term goals remain constant. I
am still sticking to that goal of running a marathon a
year as long as I can, but even if the day comes when
I can’t go 26 miles, I still want to be running.
Hopefully running will keep me young and ultimately in
good health. The benefits of running are well
documented and whatever motivates any of us to run,
the healthy benefits are one thing that all of us will
receive from running, regardless of why we choose to
run or what phase of our running we are in.

As each of us looks back to evaluate 2006 and look
ahead to 2007 and beyond there are things that we are
thankful for and things we continue to hope for. We
should all be thankful that we have an activity such
as running that we enjoy so much that helps to keep us
healthy year after year. As a teacher and a father, I
especially like to set an example by leading a healthy
lifestyle. Many children and adults are not as active
as they should be because of numerous circumstances.
By running all of you are living a healthy lifestyle
and also, whether you realize it or not, you are
setting an example that will hopefully lead others to
do the same. I hope that I am able to enjoy running
and its benefits for 2007 and beyond.

KEEP RUNNING!!

gale