Yesterday I got an email from my absolute best friend in the entire world.  We used to talk on the phone religiously every day.  Then we became moms.  Then, we both became moms of 3 in different time zones.  Now, we have been relegated to the hopes of catching a weekly call and commenting on each other’s facebook posts as our primary means of communication.  I’ve known Britta since college.  She very randomly came into my life through an ad that, much to my chagrin, my mom placed in the MSU newspaper, the State News.  I was looking for a roommate to replace a couple girls that backed out last minute and I was not happy about the situation.  However, I’m a firm believer in “Everything happens for a reason” and now I can’t imagine my life without Britta in it (Thanks Mom!).  I have known B for half of my life and we have been through just about everything together.  We have celebrated marriages and births. She has made me laugh to the point of tears countless times.  We have cried together through many of life’s heartaches, like death and divorce and health struggles, you name it.  Once, I was rescued off a mountain in South Africa with her husband, Dave (there was even a helicopter involved) and she pretty much just laughed at us.  Britta has stood by me like no other individual I know, so it’s almost ridiculous that we have never, not once, ever competed in any kind of athletic event together.

So, yesterday, I got an email from her, that was also addressed to a few other mom friends.  The basis of the email was that she has noticed that the “Moms of 3 club” has found running marathons a popular past time and she is now contemplating this pursuit for herself. Before she takes the big plunge (which is funny because she is a swimmer by nature), she wanted some answers.  Her big question was…Why do you run?  My mind started racing, words jumping out, flying around in my head, but I needed to process that question before I formulated a response.  Why do I run? I get asked that question all the time.  I mean, I work at a running store, so I really get asked that question ALL the time.  But usually, I give a generic answer like, “I just love it.”  I do love to run, it makes me happy.  But why?  So, I thought about it.

Here is the list of reasons I came up with to answer the question “why do I run?”…

• Serenity.  Solitude. Alone time!  As a working mom of 3, I am around people pretty much all the time.  So, when I go run, I get to be alooooone.  I can think about the things that are weighing me down or I can put on my ipod and veg out.  It’s delightful.
• Stress relief.  Sanity. See above.  But additionally, if I’m having a bad day or I’m feeling especially overwhelmed about something, I go run and just a few steps in, I instantaneously feel better.  It’s almost impossible to hold on to negative feelings when you exercise.  There is nothing that makes me a happier person than working up a good sweat.  And my kids like me a whole lot better when I’ve had a healthy dose of endorphins, too.
• Strength.  I can’t think of anything that makes me feel stronger or more powerful than running.  It makes me feel like I can take on anything.  I love to challenge myself to go farther or faster.  Pushing myself and rising to the occasion of a challenge, makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.  And it makes me feel energized!  It builds confidence in me and in my character.
• So I can eat whatever I want.  I like food.  Scratch that.  I LOVE food.  I love all food.  I am a Chicagoan pizza snob.  I am an ice cream connoisseur.  I like Italian and Sushi and Mexican and a big, juicy burger with fries, lots of fries!  Besides, carrots, there really isn’t much I won’t eat.  Yeah, I know, we’ve already established that I’m weird.  Anyway, I run and workout, so that I can treat myself.  I don’t believe in depriving myself but rather “everything in moderation”.  I try not to over-do it, but every now and then I have an epic fail and I over indulge.  So, I’ll go run an extra mile…or 12.
• Camaraderie. (You thought they were all going to start with “S”, didn’t you?)  Typically I like to run to be alone.  But running bonds people.  Just like any other aspect in life, commonality brings people together.  I have found some pretty fantastic friends through running.  And being a part of the Smokin’ Aces relay team for SMR 2012 was one of the best experiences of my life.  We encourage each other, we cheer each other on, we help each other by pushing one another to be better.  We don’t always need words, sometimes we just need to know that someone is right there with us, keeping pace, and pulling us to the finish.
• Nature.  I love running in all different types of weather and all different venues.  But I never get tired of a beautiful sunrise, seeing dolphins swimming in the ocean, hearing the birds, the sun shining down on me, leaving tracks in the snow, the crunch of leaves under my feet, seeing deer in the woods.  We live in a big, amazing world.  Why wouldn’t I want to get out and enjoy it?
• Heart health.  I have a family history of heart disease.  My dad’s heart attack at only 59 years old, still allowed him to outlive his own father by 15 years.  I never had the pleasure of knowing my grandpa Wayne because he died after just 44 years on this earth, also of a sudden heart attack.  Running is so good for the cardio-vascular.  I’m happy to report that I am in the top 5% of the heart healthiest people in the US (then again, that might not be saying much).  I’m also proud to say that I had a test done not long ago to find out my “Body Age”.  My result said that I have the body of a 24 year old.  Not bad for 37 years old and 3 rounds of childbirth!

So, there you have it.  I love to run for a variety of reasons.  On any given day, the reasons might differ.  And on some days, I don’t love to run.  I just do it, cause I know I’ll feel better after I do.

I don’t know if Britta is going to decide to run a marathon or not.  I have no doubt in my mind that she is capable. I believe she would be outstanding if only her knees hold out.  She comes from a family of many knee replacements.  But this is what I do know…if she decides to go for it, I will be there for her in whatever capacity she asks. If she wants me to go away and not be the annoying, veteran, know it all marathoner, I will do that.  She has listened to endless stories about my races and running in general. There is a good chance this blog has saved our friendship by giving me another outlet for said stories.  But if she wants me to run the whole thing by her side, I will.  Or if she wants me cheer her on along the way and be at the finish line waiting, I will.  Either way, I would only be returning the favor.

Love you B.

My BFF (Britta) and I with her younger 2 bambinos, Elin and Noah. That equals 1/3 of our combined children.