Why do you run?

This is a common question in the running community. I've read a lot of articles about this and V. even told me about how one of the big companies was using it as an ad campaign (can't remember which exactly: maybe Adidas or Asics?). In March's Runner's World, there was even an article with a quiz asking, "What kind of runner are you?"

Their article breaks it down into 4 categories: Socializer (uses running to meet people, socialize, find like-minded friends), Warrior (motivated by competition with others or the clock), Purist (you run for the sake of running: how it makes you feel and how you feel after), Exerciser (simply for the physical benefits: lose weight, eat more, heart-healthy, etc).

When I first took this quiz, I was a warrior. (I hate using that word except for those who truly do fight wars, I would have chosen "Competitor" as the category instead) My focus was on my time and training to get it lower. Only 2 months later, I'm now a purist. I'm loving my slow runs and feel so good during and after that I don't even mind slowing down. I'm sure my type will change again.

I was complaining to my husband about not being able to use music in the ATM and he said, "You shouldn't be allowed to." Why not?!!! "Because it adds to the suck" was his reply.

Adds to the suck? I had to think about this for a while. He continued on, "A race should suck. It should hurt so you want it to be over." I know my husband, and this totally made sense to hear him say this. So I would put him in the Warrior group, but he doesn't care about his place or time. He's out to beat the course.

I'm soooo not in his camp. Everything has to be perfect for me to want to run. As a friend says, I'll run as long as I don't get uncomfortable doing it! Weather, course, clothing, etc have to all be right. I'll only run in tab-back microfiber no-show socks, preferably my Asics ones. I'll only run in my pink Mizunos. The right bra has to be clean for the right time of month (some days the bounce hurts more than other days!) and the right shirt has to be clean for the weather (tank/short-sleeve/long sleeve). So I'm definitely not in it for the suck.

But I remember the first time I wanted to run in a long-distance race. It was about 7 years ago and I watched my husband run his first half-marathon. Crazy man went out and did it without much training, only a few 10 mile runs in the weeks leading up, plus regular PT. He ran it in 1:40 something. These natural-born runners drive me bonkers. Anyway, it was raining and cold and despite noticing the blood stains that dripped down his shirt from his nipples being rubbed raw, I thought, "I want to do this someday." His sister ran it with him and I figured if she could do it, I could do it (albeit much slower).

So maybe I will. My husband wants to run the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon (half-marathon) with me next May. It's the largest half-marathon in the U.S. and since my family is there, it would be easy logistically. I'm not sure he could stand to go as slow as me, but I'm considering it. It's part of their Indianapolis 500 festivities and it's a lot of fun. It's a perfectly flat course, and you actually run 2.5 miles of the course around the Indy 500 race track, although my husband says this is the part that sucks the most (banked, lonely, and no shade). We'll see how I'm feeling next year!

P.S. Thank you Christy for recommending Eminem's "Lose Yourself"! It paces me perfectly for my long runs!

"So here I go
it's my shot
Feet fail me not,
this may be the only opportunity that I got"