I run to remember who I am and where I came from.
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The Good Men Project Sports asked why we run.
In this feature series, we share your answers.
This is from Keola Birano:
My reasons for running are multi-layered. Like an apple. The outside layer is the part that everyone sees from the outside. When you see that distinct red coloring the fruit is nationally recognized as an apple. People recognize the outer layer reason for why we run as for health.
The second layer isn’t as obvious. Though the shape of the apple is still the same, the texture differs. This layer for me is the psychological health benefits. Many don’t realize this benefit until they start running and experience that accompanying high. It’s like biting through the outer shell of the apple and finding the juicy meat inside. Once you get a taste you just want more.
Now as you eat through that second layer you will eventually get to the core. At this point the apple is unrecognizable. What’s left at the end is the deeper reason for running. This can be anything and sometimes it may not even be apparent to the runner themselves, which was the case for me. Like many things hidden deep in our psyche we won’t know them until we ask or hear a question that triggers self-reflection.
Why do I run?
It was as if I was living my life all over again. This doesn’t happen all the time, and it’s not always so emotionally connected, but it was that day.
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This question seemed elementary as I thought about running and the obvious reasons for participating. Surprisingly, as I read through past articles on this topic I was amazed to see there were so many great and different reasons to run.
I decided to jump on the treadmill for a few miles to think about my own. I listened to my heart beat and as my thoughts moved into writing this article I felt my body straining after just 10 minutes. I knew I was trying too hard to find a story to tell so I put on my headphones and decided to clear my mind. Running as I would any other time.
It worked. My mind and body disconnected. I no longer felt the strain on my lungs and legs. My focus was on the music. The beat and the words created a movie for me as its melody triggered memories that matched the lyrics. During love songs, I relived my first crush and my wedding day. When the music became heart breaking, I relived my first breakup and loss of a loved one. Upbeat music brought back old glory days on the mound or on the football field. It was as if I was living my life all over again.
Now this doesn’t happen all the time. It’s not always so emotionally connected. But it was that day.
My emotions were overwhelming as I allowed myself to sit in that scene and feel everything imaginable.
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Afterwards my mind returned to the present and to a book I’m working on. The song was tragic and it automatically brought me to a climatic scene. I decided to allow the music to dictate the movie in my head. The scene drew tears as I put myself in the shoes of the protagonist. I imagined his grandmother as my own and witnessed her death. How would I feel to see her die in a horrific manner? My emotions were overwhelming as I allowed myself to sit in that scene and feel everything imaginable. Once the song was done, the movie was over and I was left feeling exhausted emotionally but rejuvenated artistically. I had reaped the rewards of running.
Why do I run?
I run to remember who I am and where I come from. I run to connect with my artistic side. I run because of a question.
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Hey Good Men Project Readers! Fitbit is an affiliate partner of ours, check them out! Then you can answer the question “How far did I run?” along with “Why?”
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For The Good Men Project Sports’ Why We Run feature, we are looking to collect YOUR comments, posts, Tweets, and emails that answer the questions: Why do you run? What are you running from? What are you running towards (if anything)?
Please send us your submissions through our online submissions portal:
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#27: To Break Heartbreak <<
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