With The Help Of My Friends (And Family)

I run alone today, but that was not always the case.  And on some days (not all), I do wish there was someone running along side me.  My own internal alarm goes off every day at 10 minutes before the time my actual alarm rears its ugly head, and sometimes I just need someone else there telling me to get up and go.  Maybe there is . . .

I had been thinking about starting this blog for quite some time, but I never really thought I had the time nor the patience to create it.  Then someone inspired me.  My good friend Julie started her own tales of inspiration and motivation.  Not only that, but she was my running partner when I decided it was time to get serious about running and losing weight.  Our lunchtime runs became an addiction.  Our escape.  Our motivation.  "You ready?" was all she needed to say, text, or IM to start lacing up my running shoes.  And those mornings after that infernal internal alarm rouses me, one of the many motivational maxims I hear is "You ready?"  Yep, Julie, I sure am.

On a chilly Halloween night in 2001, I met a girl who would change my life forever.  We met playing club soccer, and I found out that night that wasn't our only connection.  "I'm running such-and-such half marathon this Sunday."  "Really?  So am I!"  My wife has always been all about exercise and getting in shape and keeping healthy.  Me, I did it to afford the calories in booze, burgers, and bonbonbonbons (OK, I stole that last one -- but for my sweet tooth).  Today, she keeps me motivated in both health and exercise.  Keeps me whole.  And kicks me out of bed when I even think about sleeping another minute.

Eight hours of sleep is a luxury for me these days.  I'll attribute that to the two monkeys who run our household.  When I wasn't running at lunchtime with Julie, I was waking up Saturday mornings, heading out for my longer treks through the city.  And my wife's favorite investment in all of my running accessories was a jogging stroller -- and the double jogging stroller when my son was born (and old enough to keep his head afloat).  My daughter went out for long runs before she could walk.  It was one of the many bonding moments (and probably one of my favorite) we had together.  I'd strap her in the jogging stroller at 7 AM, give her a nice bowl of dry cereal, and off we went for a nice 2-hour run.  Running through the city and eventually the suburbs became a routine for my daughter and I.  Every driveway we passed, two words were on her 2- and 3-year-old-mind -- "Newspaper!" and "Mailbox!".  Talk about a running mantra.  And today, I can think of it as inspiration when that internal alarm sounds and I don't move.  Run for your kids.  Run because you want to be there for them most of their life.

That's why I run.  Yes, I do love being outside, enjoying the scenery, and taking in some fresh air.  But, I do this for my health and happiness as well.  I do it because I have the help of my friends and family, speaking to me before the day is a twinkle in the sun's eye.  My Road ID's inspirational message is "Run For Your Life".  I do.  I run for the life I have -- the family, the friends who motivate me, who inspire me -- and the life I want to keep.