Map Assignment

This a route I have found here at school that I like and do with a friend.

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/us/clinton/888210607991

Emily's Running Route

I do this route at home sometimes.

This is Why I Run...

My whole life I've been in love with the water. I've swam since I could walk. I never thought there would be a better feeling than after a swimming workout. But then my freshmen year I ran crosscountry. At first I hated it, every minute of it, but as my body got use to hitting the pavement I started to love it...and to need it. My relationship with running has been on and off the past four years, but this year I've decided to really commit. So, why do I run? I feel free. When I run, it's just me and the road. I love the rhythm of my heart beating fast and the wind on my face. Sometimes it's tough getting through a run, but the after effect is always worth it. I feel energized and alive. We all do something to keep sane, and staying active is my stress reliever, my pain reliever, and it never fails to put a smile on my face. So I guess I run because it keeps me healthy and happy :)

Why I Run?

As a kid I found myself running to the play ground instead of walking mostly because I was excited to be playing outside but also because I enjoy running. Instead of swinging with all the other 5th grade girls and gossiping about boys with cooties, I race boys in the field. As a kid I played just about every sport: soccer, basketball, gymnastics, baseball, cheerleading, and swimming. I believe if I hadn't played so many sports as a child I wouldn't enjoy exercising and running as much as I do today. When I entered middle school I joined the track team, this was the point I first decided I loved to run. When I say I love to run most of the time I mean short distances. I succeed more at the 200 meter distance rather than 2 miles. Recently I have found myself running further distances just for exercise. Running gives me time to think and time to myself, which I value greatly.

Map My Run

http://www.mapmyrun.com/user/549473964553/

why i run.

Running to me used to always seem like a chore. I played volleyball all through out middle and high school, and normally when something went wrong we had to run. It would either be numerous laps around the gym or suicides that went on forever. In the summer during training and work outs running was always a must. Our coach would always make up crazy work outs that would push us all to our limits. Now that i don't play a sport I have to teach myself not to hate it and i'm trying to enjoy running.

Why I run

The reason i run is to clear my head. When i run i don't concentrate on anything except for finishing my run. If i've been stressed i'll go for a run and for that 45 minutes or so i'll be stress free. I guess this is because i concentrate so on hard on my breathing and my stride. This isn't the only reason i run though i also need the exercise. After i get done running i feel alot better about myself. I feel like i've actually done something, it gives me better self esteem i suppose.

Why Kaitlyn Runs...

The first thing I’d like to state is that running does not come easily to me…but that doesn’t mean that I don’t like the challenge that it presents or the accomplishment and feeling of wholesomeness that is the ultimate outcome of running. As a child, running was the easiest form of transportation, particularly when you don’t have a license and don’t have the coordination to manipulate a bike yet. Running became a kind of necessity in order to not be left behind in the traditional neighborhood pack of kids. During school, running was a social event…tag, sharks and minnows, and foot races were all popular on the playgrounds of my elementary schools. In high school, running became somewhat of a social and bonding activity for me, specifically in regards to soccer, volleyball, and basketball. After all, there’s nothing that can form a stronger or more tight-knit bond within a team than enduring the same pain…and that was and still is the philosophy of many of my coaches. Of course I also run to be healthy, both physically and mentally. I enjoy the way that I feel after a good run, commonly referred to as an “endorphin high,” and the process of running itself, with its calculated breathing patterns and tempoed strides, often puts me into a “zen-like” state that allows me to relax on deeper levels of my conscience.

Why Do I Run?

I run not really because I like to but more because I need to for soccer. Running is very important in that aspect because if I don't do it then I will not be able to play a whole soccer game. Most people run because they want to so that they can lose weight, or just feel the morning breeze in their face. As for me, you won't find me running unless it's something I have to do for soccer.

Why I Run

I've never actually sat down and thought about why I run. Like most kids I ran around a lot. Growing up with two brothers I was pretty much a tomboy. I played football and baseball in our front yard; and basketball on our court. My older brother was alway bigger, strong, and faster then me so in order to keep up with him I had to work extra hard. I've always enjoyed running as long as I had a reason to run. If I'm chasing a ball I could run all day, which I suppose comes from playing sports with my brothers. In 8th grade I was on the track team and discovered I didn't enjoy running just to run. I got bored. I could run all day on a basketball court ((which is the sport i love)). To be honest the only reason I run now is to stay in shape. It is one of the best things you can do. When I run I start thinking of all of the other things I should be doing instead. I have to have someone to keep me going. Hopefully by the end of this class I will have learned to enjoy running!

Why Do I Run??

From as far back as kindergarten and first grade I have been in love with running! I remember outrunning grown men in a race when i was just five or six years old. I believe I learned the joy of running by hearing about my dad running in high school and getting to run with him in races as a young child. I requested this class because I knew we would be running! I love to run because it actually gives me a chance to "stop" and think about what is on my mind. I also love running by myself anywhere because then I don't have to think about those things and i can just let my mind run its course. I can sort of let go of everything that is trying me and get a handle the conflicts life tosses at me. I also enjoy the competitiveness of running!! I love to time myself to see how fast I went or how far I went. It gives me a sense of accomplishment. A lot of people I talk to think I am crazy because I like to run. But, for me it isn't like work, it is something I do for myself.

Why I Run??

From the moment I could walk, I was running. Never had I stopped to think why I actually run. It seemed very surprising to me that after a few hours of thinking I still couldn't find a real good reason why I run. I do know that when I run I feel relaxed and at one with nature. A nice morning jog is all I need to straighten out my problems. Now that I think about it more, I believe I run for a few reasons. Some of the main reasons being that I feel better/relaxed, I can think clearly, I feel better about myself confidently, and for a few years while I was in high school I ran competitively, I ran for the sole purpose of being the best.

My mother is a pretty big runner. She is the first person I ran with. She got me addicted to it. After that my older brother ran state at a very young age, and I thought to myself that I can be just as good as him. So what was a relaxing run became a competition.

Why I Run

While sitting down to write this, I found myself having problems pinpointing a specific, individual reason for why I run. There are numerous reasons. The first of which is my love for athleticism. Running is the simplest and purest form of exercise. What better way to stay in shape and cleanse your bodies of impurities than to run? The second reason I run is because it cleanses the mind. I’ve heard it said that one of the main reasons one needs eight hours of sleep a night is for your mind to incoherently "soak up" the memories of that day. I think running has that same power of recollection. Whenever I run it helps me remember what assignments are due and what needs to be accomplished that day. I also run to relax. Running can be an excellent relaxation tool. An easy jog can seemingly clear away the stress of each day. Anxiety just seems to vanish with every sweat drop that falls. Lastly, I run because of my intense competitive nature. Competition and the energy that arrives from that captivate me in every way. I am sure there are many more reasons, but these are the fundamentals for why I run.

Why I run?

Why do I run? Thats a question I've never thought much about until now. I guess the main reason I began running was because of my father. He participated in many races when I was younger and often went on daily jogs. I used to beg my mother to take me to the races to watch and even begged my father to let me tag along on the daily jogs. I admired my father for finding something to keep him in shape and something to make him feel great about himself. I wanted that too. So whenever I was a little older my mom put me in little races around our town. I was trying to discover myself and make myself feel great. I kept running races up until I was in highschool when it no longer seemed as important to me. I found other ways to excercise and express myself. Ways that were more me and not my father. I still run every now and then but now I run to stay in shape and let out frustration. Running still makes me feel good about myself but in a different way than it used to. I don't do things anymore just because someone else does, I do things for myself.

Why I Run...

Why do I run? I run for myself. I participate in many activities and have a lot going on in my life. Running is something I am able to do independently and escape all of the frustrations I may be having. In life you have to rely on people a lot of times because life takes a great deal of teamwork (not to sound cliche) but running is something you can do alone or with others.
When I run, I like being able to get myself anywhere that a car or other means of transportation would not allow me to go...Running is a means of exploring and being adventurous....especially when running on a new trail. As a little girl, I was always running around getting lost because I was "looking for an adventure." I would disappear into the woods behind our house playing and exploring with my friends for hours at a time. Well, as a college student, I still look for adventure. I fulfill that urge to explore by running...running not only lets me explore the great outdoors but also explore my mind and relieve my frustrations on the road.

A run continued

A continuation of the previous run.

Running through the past (READ THIS ONE FIRST)

Here's a link to a once upon a time run I had.

Why I ran, run, and will run

In years past I ran because it was liberating. I ran with my dog, after my dog, away from my dog. I ran through fields, through the woods, through the house. I ran because it felt right. Like I was meant to run. Maybe I was meant to run. Maybe we're all meant to run. Especially at a young age. It surely helps us develop motor skills. It helps us find out where we stand in regards to other's abilities when we race each other as children. I ran because I could and ran because I was pretty good at it. Was I good at it because I ran or did I run because I was good at it. Maybe both. At six and a half years old I ran a mile in 6 minutes and 30 seconds. Maybe I could have been a good runner in the pure sense of just running. As time passed I faded from running for the sake of running to running because I was chasing a soccer ball. Soccer became somewhat consuming and I soon ran because the coach said go or whistled. This ofcourse was so I could run on the soccer field. Later I became a bit more disciplined and ran because I knew if I didnt' I would not be able to run on the soccer field. At least not for long. After my life as a soccer player passed (I played in college) I returned to running for its liberating effects. I ran in the woods. I took to running through the woods because I loved the forest. I loved the birds chirping, the soft ground and leafy trees that absorbed my foot steps. It was quiet. Running in the woods. I soon turned to running on the road. Not so much because I enjoyed it over running in the woods but mostly because it was more convenient. I found it quicker and easier to step outside and run, as opposed to driving to a trail so I could run in the woods. I still enjoy running in the woods. I just don't get to as often anymore. Now I run to stay fit. To stay young (or at least I tell my self I'm still young). I run to chase the guy in front of me. I run to stay away from the guy behind me. I run to think, to not have to think, to breath deep, to feel the burn, to not feel the burn, to chase antelopes, or elude lions.

"Everyday in Africa an antelope wakes up and knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be eaten. Everyday in Africa a lion wakes up and knows it must outrun the slowest anteolope or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or an antelope--when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."

-Anonymous runner

Starting Out

The blog will be for the Presbyterian College Interdisciplinary Studies Class (a Freshman only classs) titled "Why We Run". It is based loosely around running and Bernd Heinrich's book titled "Why We Run". Students will enter data and journal entries here and reflections. Check back as often as you wish and see our progress.

-Hanks