Run Like a Bumgarner

People often ask me why I run.  I generally say "because I love it," which is likely the easiest and most correct answer, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

I got into running many years ago, at the age of 14, when I wanted to run Cross Country at my high-school. At that time, 3-5 miles was a daunting but wonderful feat and it complimented my swimming "career". Running came in and out of my life through my college years, but I would often be coined "the runner" at the gyms I went to because you could usually find me running 1-2 miles on the treadmill before classes, before I lifted weights, or before I did the elliptical. When I got my first job, I started running 5K and 10K races again, because some of my colleagues were doing it... the 10K pushed me to finally "train" and that's where the running passion struck me.  I kept running through pregnancies and eventually set my sights on the half marathon distance and eventually the full marathon, to which I have successfully finished 5. I have run so many miles and races over the years, I feel like an accomplished runner - despite the fact I'm relatively slow.  Not a weekend passes that I don't go out for 10 miles with a friend and I typically run several miles on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays too.

So why do I run? There are many reasons.  Physical, spiritual, emotional, and for soul catharsis... it makes me feel sane. For you see, I have a tough job.  I see a slice of life that others will never see. I wear my heart on my sleeve.  I often cry after we diagnose Autism.  I always cuddle babies extra longer when I hold them at work, because we've lost these same babies over the years.  I often question why I wore white when a home is less clean than my standards.  I try to distance myself from situations, because I am a trained professional --- but I can only distance myself so far because in reality, I am a mother of three and it makes me sad in individual situations.  So I run to find peace in all of this. I run to bring a piece of joy back to my heart. I run to pray for these families.  I run just to be in that moment - to feel sunshine on my back - and to just live.

They say life is short, which is very true... but I think life can be hard in its short duration. By finding joy and peace on my runs, I'm only adding life to my soul and you can't argue with that.