Run With It!

An email from the New York Road Runners asked about the motivations that get runners out of bed—even when it's raining or you're tired from your last training run—to hit the roads, track, and trails in preparation for November 6.   Runners were encouraged to write about their inspirations.

So why do I run?

I run to keep up with my boys. Since birth, my sons, now age 10 and 13, have been in almost constant motion. I need to stay active and fit to make sure that I’ll always be able to race them to the corner, to jump waves with them at the beach, to ride bikes together on Randall’s Island, and to play catch with them at the park.

I also run to inspire my boys. I want them to see that anyone at any age can set and achieve athletic goals; that the hard work of training – blisters and all – is a worthwhile endeavor; that the pursuit of big things like a 26.2-mile race can best be overcome with small steps – like the simple act of lacing up my running shoes every morning.