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