I LOVE Running

Hello, my name is Michael, and I love running.

I really do. Despite what you may have heard, running is my new favorite thing to do. I love running anywhere, really. I love running on a treadmill. I love running outside. I love running into a strong head wind along the Corpus Christi bay, or in a steady rain in downtown Austin. I love running over hills and under bridges. I love running in straight lines. I love running in circles. I love running on that red dirt track down the street from my house as Catholic school boys and girls in red and plaid uniforms wave and giggle at me from the balcony of their second-floor classroom. Just because the hot sun has come out and I have pebbles in my shoes doesn't mean I'm going to stop. Why? Because I love running.

I can't run very far, but I'm working on that. I can't run very fast, but who cares? Give me my running shoes and a pair of too-short shorts and I'll go as fast as my legs will take me. I'll need my MP3 player too. What's better than running to this song or that song. I'll run to just about any song with a beat or soaring melody. I love when I get to the chorus of that one song. I mouth the words, throw my arms out like a child and run erratically with all the energy I have left.

I'm glad I'm running again, because I really do love it. I love it so much, I'm training for the half marathon in October. I'm 10 weeks out, so the 10-week training program started today. There was a bit of hesitation getting out of bed this morning, then I remembered one thing. I love running. No complaining about pain or tiredness or the heat and humidity. Its all minor when you get to do something you love. And from now on, I love running.