Why I Run

Why I Run

            Why do you run?  Of course the answers include fitness and competition, but why do you really run?  We run for our mental and psychological health.  Perhaps we all run to escape . . . we run to freedom!

Cindy and I with Uta Pippig

Our track club had the pleasure of hosting Uta Pippig.  Uta is a bright and impressive lady who is extremely friendly.  Her running resume includes the Olympics and multiple Boston Marathon victories.  She has had world-class success at 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, the half-marathon, and the marathon.  Further, she is on the Board of Advisors of the MIT AgeLab.

However, the focus of her presentation to our track club was on “Running to Freedom.” Being raised in the former Communist East Germany Uta literally ran for freedom.  She now uses her experiences as a metaphor in incorporating inspiration, fitness, and life lessons to promote individual wellbeing and longevity.

Her message is very consistent with my experience running.  Running opens up my creativity and allows me to think, plan and strategize.  It makes each day better and more productive.  This helps make me a better professional, father, and spouse.

Running is also a stress relief.  A daily run, no matter how short or long, always tends to let a little pressure out of the steam valve to make each day more positive and better for it.  It is my own personal therapy session . . . and it is free!

Lastly, as Uta reminded us, when we are running we are all children.  We are happy, hopeful, filled with joy, and run to freedom.  Remember when we all enjoyed just being free…we can experience that every day with our daily run.

That’s why I run,

David