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I’m often asked why I run. Many people answer this question with “To celebrate being cancer-free,” or “For a cause,” “For the challenge,” “For the competition,” or “For the feeling of hitting a running milestone and the subsequent satisfaction.” Some even say, “Because it feels good when I finish.”

My answer was, “To help me lose weight. ”I say, “was” because like so many other runners, my answer now is quite different. Like so many other runners, I started out with one reason to run and then found something else. Like so many other runners, I learned that the person I used to be is no match for the person I’ve become. I learned that I can push my physical abilities and expectations farther than I ever imagined. I also learned and have come to believe that I am an athlete. Like so many other runners, I’ve learned that running is fun, even enjoyable.

Of course, there are times I forget how much fun running can be. Running can be such a chore, especially when I train for a marathon. You’ve heard the saying, “Run, Eat, Sleep, Repeat.” John “The Penguin” Bingham said, “During pre-marathon months, my life falls neatly into two categories: things I must do because I’m preparing for a marathon, and things I must not do because I’m preparing for a marathon. Life gets pretty simple.”

Simple, yes, but when all you do is run, eat, sleep and think of all the things you HAVE to do and the miles you HAVE to train for your big race, running becomes more work than fun. As I said, “A chore.” Training is not so much a chore for me these days. Somewhere along my running way, I found my inner child. The little girl in me takes over, and I would just run for fun. I would run and skip, and stop to watch the dolphins. I would smile, and then giggle, then laugh at the silly steps I was taking. It was fun.

Don’t forget the child in you and run for fun once in a while. Leave your watch at home and (gasp) jog for a few miles. Take in the awesome scenery, watch the sunrise or sunset, look for pretty flowers, or listen to the birds singing. Once in a while, bring out the happy, happy, joy, joy in your silly steps. I think you’ll be surprised to find out how much this will help when you turn serious again.

I’m still serious. I still train hard. I still think about all the miles I HAVE to do. What I’ve learned to do, however, is to be thankful I can still run and that I can run for fun once in a while. I’m thankful for friends to have fun with and to solve the problems of the world with as we run. I treasure my beach runs where I do jog a little and enjoy the beauty of the day as it wakes with brilliant reds and pinks. I still try to be a successful runner, only now I let myself have fun and enjoy the journey along the way.

How has your running journey evolved? Why did you run in the beginning? Why do you run now? Please let us know!