WHY!?

My whole body screams this at me every mile I run.

Normally I scream back- GOOD FREAKING QUESTION!

and then it says- So stop.

And I say- I can't.

And it asks me- Why?

And I ask myself- Why?

Sometimes reasons don't pop up instantly- when my bladder is bursting, my blisters are bleeding, or sweat, like hot salsa, converges on my cornea. Did you like the simile? I'm channeling my inner Ke$ha.

But, I do have reasons and here are some of the ones that get me through these harrowing moments.

Top 5 Reasons I Run

5. Because of the shirts the runners receive on race day. I will wear that baby everywhere. I will march into the apple store and find the genius who helped me with my nano and I will strike a pose that best displays the White Rock Half Marathon logo. And we will fall in love. And we will get married. And we will have little geni.

4. I'm obsessed with the feeling after finishing a run. Love me some endorphins. "Exercise gives you endorphins- endorphins make you happy and happy people just don't shoot their husbands... they just don't." Love me some Legally Blonde too. I guess running may keep me from committing criminal activities- bonus reason!

3. I can now walk into Luke's Locker without feeling like my forehead's tattooed with "I only run when forced to in P.E!" I use to cower in the corners and hide amongst the sales racks in an attempt to go unnoticed by the over-eager employees. But now, I walk in with my head held high and browse through the running section with the ease of a seasoned athlete.

2. Because sometimes running is amazing. I love the solitude. I love being in nature. I love the feeling after you've reached the top of a hill and begin the descent down the other side. I love the connection with other runners on the street who nod or wave in a I-need-to-go-to-the-bathroom-too kind of way or a I-know-there's-a-reason-we're-doing-this kind of way.

1. For my friends at Heart House. I love the kids. They are awesome and deserve an amazing place like Heart House. Normally each mile I have to remind myself- You have taken people's money. You must finish. You have taken people's money. You must finish. You can give the money back. No, YOU HAVE TAKEN PEOPLE'S MONEY! YOU MUST FINISH. DO IT FOR THE KIDS!!

I've got to wake up early and run 3 miles.

Body: Why?

Me: I HAVE TAKEN PEOPLE'S MONEY! I MUST FINISH!

Peace out,

$terling