Why Do I Run? by George Sheehan

 I like this essay by Dr. George Sheehan.  You can check out more about him and read his essays here: http://www.georgesheehan.com/




Why Do I Run?


           Why do I run? I have written over the years of the benefits I receive from running. Enumerated the physical and mental changes. Listed the emotional and spiritual gains. Charted the improvement that has taken place in my person and my life. What I have not emphasized is how transient these values and virtues are.
           With just a little thought, however, it should be evident that physical laws parallel those of the mind and the spirit. We know that the effects of training are temporary. I cannot put fitness in the bank. If inactive, I will detrain in even less time than it took me to get in shape. And since my entire persona is influenced by my running program, I must be constantly in training. Otherwise the sedentary life will inexorably reduce my mental and emotional well-being.
           So, I run each day to preserve the self I attained the day before. And coupled with this is the desire to secure the self yet to be. There can be no let up. If I do not run I will eventually lose all I have gained-and my future with it.
           Maintenance was a favorite topic of Eric Hoffer. It made the difference, said the former longshoreman, between a country that was successful and one that failed. However magnificent the achievement, without constant care the result was decay.
           I know the experience intimately. There is nothing more brief than a laurel. Victory is of the moment. It must be followed by another victory and then another. I have to run just to stay in place.
           Excellence is not something attained and put in a trophy case. It is not sought after, achieved and, thereafter, a steady state. It is a momentary phenomenon, a rare conjunction of body, mind, and spirit at one's peak. Should I come to that peak I cannot stay there. I must start each day at the bottom and climb to the top. And then beyond that peak to another and yet another.
           Through running I have learned what I can be and do. My body is now sensitive to the slightest change. It is particularly aware of any decline or decay. I can feel this lessening of the "me" that I have come to think of myself.
           Running has made this new me. Taken the raw material and honed it and delivered it back ready to do the work of a human being. I run so I do not lose the me I was yesterday and the me I might become tomorrow.

4th Run... AT 6 AM!!

Friday was basically a winfest.

I got up at 5:15.  A friend of my wife's came by and they went for an early jog.  I laid in bed for a few minutes then decided to get up.  I got dressed, drank some water and did some stretches.

At 6am, my wife returned and I left to go for a walk/run.  I went to my soccer field and walked and ran for about 30 minutes.  It felt so good and I felt vindication for having slept in a couple of days earlier.

Running in the morning seemed to set a great tone for my day.  I pretty much slammed the rest of the day out of the park.

I'm still a fat slob though.  I'm gonna post some before pictures this week.  I weighed myself this morning... 236. So I've lost about 4 lbs.  4 runs, 4 lbs.  I admit though, my diet hasn't changed much... so I'll probably need to address that to really reap good benefits from running.

We're in SC now visiting my in-laws, but I brought my running gear and plan for a nice run tomorrow AM.

3rd Run

It almost didn't happen for me tonight- it was 9pm and we had just settled down.  Kids were fed and ready for bed.  We were all relaxed.  But I got dressed and went for a run. 

Tonight it was muggy and warm, but it felt good to run without the sun bearing down on me.

I went back to the soccer field and walked a lap.  Then I ran a lap.  I decided to run another.  Usually I walk/run/walk/run, etc... but this time I ran twice.  Then, when the third lap came around I kept running still!  By this time my calves and legs were burning (I know, I know, I'm weak... but I already feel much stronger).  After my third lap I walked another lap.  Then... I ran four more laps. 

I just didn't want to stop, it was a really good experience for me.  Usually I seek a way out, but tonight I really didn't want to stop.  I felt great.  But oh, that 2nd round of running, on my fourth lap, my legs were really burning. 

All in all it was a really great run for me.  I feel like I broke through some mental barriers that I had in my mind.  I also had some great time to myself and to think.  I'm excited about getting in shape and enjoying my running time.

dreaming myself into shape

Last night I set my alarm for 6am.  I also set out my shorts, t-shirt and running shoes.  I was all prepared to wake up early and go for a nice morning run.  My 3rd official run of my new, healthy lifestyle

My alarm went off as planned.  I turned it off.  I rolled back over in bed.

Then I find myself walking out my door.  I'm met by the cool morning air.  My run seemed to end instantly and I was eating breakfast and telling my smiling wife about how well I did on my run - how disciplined I had become in my being able to wake up early and run and eat well and start my day of right.

Then my six year old shook me awake.  "Dad, can you fix me breakfast?"  I looked at my clock.  7am.  

I had a dream about being active and proud of my activeness... A DREAM!  I felt pretty defeated.  Oh well.  I took the stairs at work and I'll run this evening.  I guess I'll have to remember: go with the flow.  No sense in beatin myself up about it as long as I get a run in this evening.