So why did you decide to start running? There is a whole list of reasons people take up the sport of running. To stay in shape, lose weight, keep active, and relieve stress to name a few. I do not think there is only one reason, sometimes maybe a couple of reasons got you into the practice of running. Perhaps your self-esteem had been in the gutter and a friend noticed then also suggested running as one of the ways to help get you righted back up. Or you had self-destructive behaviors that were wreaking havoc in your day to day life and you realized there might be a better way to deal with your compulsion. Running has helped people deal with difficult times in their life.

There is a certain relaxation that can be found when a person is able to connect with their inner self on a run. Realizing that you have more strength than you knew to conquer a hill could provide you insight to learning there is more to know about yourself. Belonging to a community of runners can give you a sense of family that may be missing in your life. Allowing for "me time" can be so important in relieving stress and restoring the energy you need to take on your day-to-day responsibilities. Running can provide a meditative state that can provide a clearer view of life. Of course, the other benefits of running are cardiac and respiratory improvements.

For me running has always been like an old friend. I have been running since I was in junior high. I was a fast runner and it came easy to me. It has always been there to work through my problems and if I listen carefully, it can provide me insights about myself and sometimes about life. I have learned to respect it and not take it for granted. Just as a dear friend, you hate to imagine your life without it. I have made it a priority to nurture and take as good care of myself as I approach the golden years utilizing ChiRunning as a practice. I can only hope that other runners are participating in safe and sane running methods so they too will be able to reap the benefits of being a runner for years to come.

No matter what got you into running, the point is that you should be able to enjoy where it takes your life for as long as you want.