This is the Reason I Run
On any other day, my run this morning would not be considered exceptional. It wasn’t fast. In fact, it was much slower than the majority of my weekly runs. It wasn’t far … just a little more than 5 miles. It wasn’t the perfect temperature … about 7 degrees with 5 mph winds. On paper, it wasn’t a run that should be memorable in any way, really. Except it was. It was a remarkable run.
This morning was a run to remember. It was 45 minutes that reminded me why I run and why I keep lacing up my shoes day in and day out, powering through the runs that are hard and the days that I ask myself why I do this.
I run because of this:
I have been traveling this week and got to run on the streets of Chicago. The last time I ran here, well, you know what happened. Today’s run was just as special as that Chicago run back in October. As I looked out across a frozen Lake Michigan, as I ran over soft powdery snow, as I watched the sun rise over Navy Pier, as I felt the cold air hit my face, all I could think was this is why I love to run.
To see the sun rise.
To experience the solidarity of other runners braving the snow and cold with a nod and a wave.
To marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature.
To be swallowed up by memories of running victoriously in this city.
To be reminded of the gift I have received to be healthy enough to move my legs.
To explore different places.
To feel alive.
Why do you run? Where have you run lately that reminded you why you love running?
Comments
gorgeous.
This is beautiful Jesica – both the photos and the way you wrote about your run. Stay warm!!
I love runs like that – they are such a gift. While I wouldn’t call my run ‘remarkable’, I did have a blast on the treadmill in my unheated garage this morning! Super cold, but with no wind and loud music (no worries about cars!), it was great! I was so happy to just be running!
Nice job on your run this morning Mary! Love that you got to do it outside, even though it was on the treadmill. Way to start your day off right! xo
Looks beautiful-I LOVE when those amazing runs happen. It’s usually when I least expect it! My friends still tease me about how energized and happy I was during the Chi Marathon bopping along to my music haha.
I love this. Beautiful post.
I very much agree with EVERYTHING you said. I love seeing the sunrise. To feel the peace outside before all the busyness of the streets. To run with others whispering while the world sleeps. To be grateful for the strength and health of my body. This is why I run. It is truly a remarkable activity. For so long I thought of it as cardio, but now its my sanctuary and a part of my every day life. Ahhh, to run.
Thanks for sharing your deep feelings and great insights Hannah. I loved reading your words and think you have awesome reasons to run, especially that running is your sanctuary for everyday life. xoxo
Amen sister.
I love this – it’s a great feeling when you have an amazing run!
Karen @karenlovestorun
At first I was like…whoa Atlanta? Then I saw the Lake Michigan pic and realized you were off site 🙂 I live in Milwaukee and you reminded me how much I enjoy the lake in all seasons. I love when a run reminds me of the blessings of Mother Nature. It brings a sense of calm and surge of happiness all at once!
Love this post. And props to you for running in 7 degrees!
Beautiful post and beautiful pictures! Lake Michigan is so beautiful in winter! There’s a small lake with a trail around in where I live, and whenever I run there I remember how much I love running and being out in nature.
Beautiful, Jesica!
Seeing the sunrise, maybe after a dark night, full of worries, always lifts my Soul. I love the song from Cat Stevens:
Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning
Born of the one light, Eden saw play
Praise with elation, praise every morning
God’s recreation of the new day
Yes to this! I don’t always feel alive when I run, but when I do I’m wearing a smoking jacket … haha! just kidding– really, I adore winter running because there is something about the cold that makes me feel that feeling you describe so beautifully, “alive.” The cold on your nose, the burning sensation on your cheeks when return home, the endorphin’s from picking up your pace. I didn’t have a necessarily beautiful run this morning, but I got that rush when I was finished– that feeling of – ” I love this”
Love runs like that! It’s so important to take the time to fully appreciate these special moments – it can definitely help pull you through the not-so-great runs.
Runs like this one are extraordinary, aren’t they? You captured it beautifully.
You never know when these magical ones are going to come but appreciating it when they do, is necessary.
Thanks for the reminder.
Beautiful! I lived in Chicago for a couple of years and really treasured those beautiful runs along the lake. I love how little times like that make us really appreciate being able to run…no matter the weather.
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What a beautiful post and an amazing run. Thanks for sharing Jesica! I run in cold cold of East Coast winters all season long, I never get on the treadmill. I love those winter runs when the snow is crunching underneath your feet and you can see your breath. For some reason, it is beautiful. I recent run I had was along the frozen river that had lots of ice caps on it. I saw approximately 200 to 300 geese all nestled in along the side of the river in about a quarter square mile of an area. They’re all making their beautiful sounds and seeing them all together made me stop and thank God. It was truly one of those amazing runs.
Angie, Your recent run sounds AH-MAZING! It’s so wonderful what we can see on a run! xo
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I came to this website for motivation to keep running and training my hardest and it didn’t take me long at all to find it.
Awe! I’m so, so glad Shelby!!! Thank you for reading! Good luck crushing your goals! xoxo