Why do you run?

Last Saturday morning in front of our store there was a somewhat spontaneous group of high school students and their parents who gathered to go "Jogging for Justin". Not a race per se, but a movement in honor of their friend and fellow student who had died too young of cancer.

They had made t-shirts and colorful signs, and the kids consumed a good bit of their post-jog treats and refreshments pre-jog (to our great amusement). It was a very touching tribute and reminded me of two of the reasons I love running: 1) because you don't have to be "a runner", and 2) because there are so many reasons to run (or jog, if you prefer).

I am 10 days away from my first marathon and I have to admit that at this point I am largely bored and/or uninspired by all of the reasons I normally run. And I'm sore. And I am having a crisis of confidence. In order to get through these 26.2 miles of impending pavement, I'm going to need to a new reason to run.

Over the years, I've participated in many charity races in support of cancer research or hunger awareness or trees. While I'm always happy to support a good cause, I've just never felt a real personal connection to these types of events. But those kids out there jogging for Justin on Saturday morning had a personal connection and that was inspiration enough for them to get together, lace up their shoes, and celebrate their friend.

My Grandmother passed away last week after a hard fought journey with cancer. She had a long, full life by all definitions, and she was a character. Fun, stubborn, crafty, generous (to a fault), funny, committed (to her family, her friends, her public service, her values), determined, and gracious (to her final moments). She wasn't a runner, but she covered plenty of ground. I'll summon her spirit and hope that these qualities that marked her journey will help me through those final miles.

Why do I run? In loving memory of Rosamond Elizabeth Barton, 1922-2009...