The Good Men Project wants to know: Why do YOU run?
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“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they’ll go to any length to live longer. But don’t think that’s the reason most people run . . .” – Author, Haruki Murakami
The Good Men Project Sports asked you, our readers, Why Do We Run?
In this feature series, we share your answers. We are looking to hear from the Good Men Project community, with submissions of any length that address the question Why We Run.
Good health and a strong mind have long been associated with physical exercise, but running holds a deeper place in the heart of many. For so many running can be a time of stillness, a time of self, not only a physical space, but an emotional sanctuary.
Some people run because they have to, some because they want to, some because they are running from their past and some because they’re running to a future.
What’s your reason? What are you running from? What are you running towards?
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We all have our reasons, whether it’s of the body, the mind, or both. Or something else entirely. Here are some portions of recent posts in the series:
Getting old is a hoot. I think that’s why I run. To run away from the old, if that makes any sense. When I was younger, I never ran, because I was young. Nothing to run from. Now, I feel such a sense of urgency. It’s really just another form of anxiety except I beat it back with labored breathing. – Michael Polenberg
Running makes things clearer. Empties my mind somehow. I can feel my blood flowing through my body. It’s a beautiful feeling. It’s why I run. I run because I still can, because one of these days I won’t be able to run anymore. I know that. I’m in my late 40s now. I’ve been carrying around this blood cancer for about four and a half years. I run when it lets me. When I see a small window of opportunity, I take it.” – David Packman
I think about my brother. I think about his daughters. I ask his forgiveness, because I feel like I’m failing him, and failing them, no matter how often I see them. I feel like I’m failing them because I’m not their Dad, and I can never replace him. I feel like I’m failing my own children because I spend so much time worrying about how my nieces are doing, how much they miss their Dad, if they know how much he loved them, if they know how much I love them. I run from my failure, I run and I promise to do better for them all. – Sandy Roffey
Over the decades, running has carried me through broken relationships, career changes, periods of loneliness, and the myriad of anxieties and disappointments that, no pun intended, frequently run through our lives. Because no matter how bad things have gotten, I’ve been able to hit the road — almost anytime and anywhere — and say fuck it all. And regardless of the time, the route, or the weather, I always return refreshed, renewed, and, of course, fantasizing about my next run. – Ben Shaberman
I pretend I run solely to stay in shape. As if the only reason for cardio is to fine-tune my heart. But my heart is the reason I run. Not to further my odds of living a longer life, but to escape the one I have. – Daniel Romo
Browse the over thirty posts we have thus far Good Men Project Sports’ Why We Run Series here.
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We want to hear from you! Why do you run?
Please send us your submissions through our online submissions portal:
#GMPSports #WhyWeRun
From our “Why We Run” Series
Because My Heart is No Longer Broken by James Woodruff
More Than Just a Running Group by Kase Johnstun
Because I Deserve to Be Empowered by Tessa G
Chasing the Gingerbread Man by Bob Varettoni
For Marianne by Lisa Duggan
To Remember Who I Am by Keola Birano
I Run Because I Almost Couldn’t, and Sometimes I Can’t by Joanna Schroeder
For Life by James Fell
Born to Do It by Whit Honea
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Photo: Flickr Creative Commons/ Vincepal
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