(Photo by lululemon athletica via Flickr Creative Commons. Used for illustrative purposes only.)
1. I run because I am able to. I’ve seen persons with disabilities run harder than me and they humble me into being thankful and grateful that I can.
2. I run for my son Miggy--he thinks I am the fastest runner out there every time I show him my finisher’s medal.
3. I run because I want to invest in good health and fitness--that when Miggy is 30 and I, 60, I will still be able to keep up with him.
4. I run to be able to eat what I want. I’m no longer enslaved by fad diets. Running is a healthier alternative, instead of depriving yourself of that piece of cake.
5. I run to free my spirit. Clichéd as it may sound, but running gave me the freedom to spread my wings and fly from 5km to 42km.
6. I run to clear my mind. Just like a computer, running is my reboot button. Everything seems clearer after a morning run.
7. I run for penance. Sins of the past seem to be forgiven while sins of the future seem to be more forgiving.
8. I run for my beeps--that’s short for Bespren Dorothy. So that one day, she will take me to the Paris marathon (hint, hint!).
9. I run for my GG girlfriend gang (Marilou, Batch, Claudine, Mich, Rica) so that we can get together for brunch and they can listen incredulously to my running tales.
10. I run to appreciate the simpler things in life that we often take for granted in our daily grind--running through the Buendia flyover and the Skyway is different from when you are driving!
11. I run to see how the day breaks--you know, the time when the sky moves from dark blue to light gray to light blue and the sun starts to peer behind the clouds.
12. I run for my Robinsons Homes team so that they may see that nothing is impossible as long as you put your mind and heart to it.
13. I run to expunge all the “what ifs” in my life. Depending on the severity, it usually dictates the tempo.
14. I run to listen closely to songs that suddenly have a serendipitous meaning to it.
15. I run to be able to belt out the Madonna in me. Do not under estimate the power of Madonna!
16. I run for Lara--who started this crazy adventure with me in 2009. We’ve talked so much about everything under the sun, including introducing me to her twin self named Cristina.
17. I run for Bobbitt--this gives us a whole lot of things to reminisce about when we’re at senior citizen’s happy hour.
18. I run for Hector of Secondwind--who was patient enough to walk me thru most of my second 5k race. How can one give up when you get that kind of support?
19. I run for my country--there is country pride when running in international marathons and you hear Tagalog words amongst the noise. Mabuhay ang lahat ng Pinoy Runners!
20. I run for races and race organizers that put the well-being of the runners first (Unilab, Condura) instead of pomp and pageantry (Adobo run).
21. I run to get to know myself better. When you are on your own, nothing else seems to matter except the sound of your foot hitting the pavement.
22. I run for Lance--the silent motivator but our biggest fan. Heck, if he was able to do it, anybody can! Just kidding, boss!
23. I run for all the office people Eden, Buena, and the BGs--Lito, Bob, Manoy Rene, Mang Jojo, Mang Noli--who have encouraged us and cheered for us every time we pass them by in a race (or when they pass us by in a race!).
24. I run for Aileen’s carrot cake--this made carbo loading a yummy treat!
25. I run for Anj (my adopted child) so she can have 42 more reasons to be proud of me.
26. I run for my dad--who until to this day, still doubts that I can run continuously!
27. I run for Xander so that he will be inspired to run with me every Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
28. I run for my Mom who in her own way has taken a huge step to clean and smoke-free living since the night of my brother’s wedding.
29. I run because there are still a lot of things in my bucket list that needs to be crossed off – e.g. Big Sur, Melbourne, Disney, Paris.
30. I run so I can hear myself thinking. It gives you clarity and perspective that you normally do not find.
31. I run for The Bull Runner. She has encouraged ordinary people like me to perform an extra-ordinary task.
32. I run at my own pace, at my own time. If this bothers the competitive runners out there, then boo effin hoo for you. You are missing the point of running – you compete with your own self and try to be better each time. You may have crossed the finish line half my time but your medal isn’t shinier than mine!
33. I run because of those Ateneo training days with the Vitugs and the McDo breakfast that the boys have afterwards.
34. I run because then I can reward myself shopping after a major race. My Gucci medal from the Singapore Marathon reminds me of all the hardship I endured and conquered!
35. I run to escape. Running allows me to shut everything out and be carefree.
36. I run because it lets my imagination run free.
37. I run because it’s for free! No membership required, no quorum needed – just one foot in front of the other.
38. I run because it allows you to build camaraderie with like-minded people – crazy people who will be at the Fort at 4AM and are not grossed out with blood blisters and dead toe nails
39. I run because I feel part of an elite club, especially when you come across a stranger who will greet you good morning as you run the streets of Greenhills or The Fort.
40. I run because I see my best self whenever I reach the part when I want to give up badly and still manage to go on.
41. I run because it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I cross the finish line. It is a tangible reminder of hard work and perseverance.
42. I run because of the 41 reason stated above.
PS--I will most not likely do a Bataan Death March which is about 102km, even if it means having 102 reasons to do it.
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