Why I Run Today

Sunday, July 16, 2017 · Mike Davis

Good morning!

Grab your coffee and pull up a chair.

As we move through the summer, it certainly has been challenging due to high temperatures and extreme humidity. Just the other day the temperature his 105 degrees in North Carolina! Very challenging running weather indeed, and even dangerous. There was a day when my ego would have driven me to run regardless of extreme conditions, but I have matured enough to use discernment in my decision making. Now, spending a little time analyzing the weather forecast, helps prepare me for the best possible run in the given conditions.

There was a time in my life when I had my running schedule and I was determined to follow it, no matter the conditions. I may have considered it just “good discipline” or I may have even liked the idea that I could brag about overcoming any condition. Today, I realize that neither of these reasons are healthy physically or personally. Running is something I want to be proud of for sure, however, I have come to realize that running is about the passion to move my feet in a way that challenges me for me.

Everyone runner has a purpose to their running, whether it be fitness, competition, social, mental, or a bit of all these combined. There is no right or wrong reason to lace up sneakers and run, but hopefully the reason is one that will help keep those feet moving for a lifetime. Myself, I have evolved from a desire to define myself through running, to instead, enjoy running for mental and relationship components.

Mentally, running covers so many aspects of my life and is best summed up by describing it this way: “When I finish a run, I am not the same person I was when I started.” Whether I overcame a day when I felt very little motivation, or I may have had some life issues on my mind, or even that I was unsure I could run my desired goal. When my run was completed, I felt different than when I began. Even if I was not as successful as I was hoping, I accomplished something that moved me forward in life.

Running has also come to be a large part of my relationships and means a great deal to me. Once upon a time, I was more self-absorbed (not good), with my running and mostly through my marriage changed to appreciating each time Kathy and I laced up our shoes together. Pace and results became less important, while running together became a blessing. Sharing our steps with each other, is an amazing feeling that is like none other. Then after, being able to enjoy the cooldown is truly a wonderful time. Similar (but a bit different), running with Doug or other friends is awesome and something I have come to appreciate.

Today, I am a bit wiser in choosing when I run, but I am also more aware of why I run. Knowing what is important allows me to look at the conditions and factor in what matters to me and then make a much wiser choice. I truly enjoy why I run these days!

Time for me to get off to church. Thanks for having coffee with me this morning. Have a great week!

God Bless!

Mike