Today is National Running Day!! What is National Running Day you ask?
According to the organization’s site:
National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.
In honor of the “holiday” today, I thought I would revisit my very first run outside back in 2007.
After a few years as a serious cyclist, the woman I was dating wasn’t thrilled that I would disappear for up to 10 hours at a pop on a Saturday or Sunday. She was a runner and encouraged me to try it. I was a bit of a gym rat at the time and had already done a few treadmill runs but the thought of running outside scared the hell out of me.
But I was freaked out. How would I keep my pace? What if I bonked far from home? What f I got lost? What if I got mugged? What if I looked like an ass in front of all the runners in New York City (like anyone would be paying attention to me).
Regardless, Wednesday August 29, 2007 I strapped on my New Balance 1023s, met up with my buddy Jake who the day prior had gotten back from a three week trip to Japan (and who had previously run a 13.1, a distance I couldn’t even fathom) and set out to run down the East River.
It was a great night to be out, not too hot or humid and not very crowded on the East Side path, which was thankfully super flat. We did a little over four miles and then walked over to Sid’s Bike Shop and drooled over “bike porn” for a while.
Jake and I have since logged more miles than I can count (in sneakers, on the bike and in life). I’ve gone on to run nine official marathons (and counting), a crazy amount of 13.1’s and 75 New York Road Runner races.
Almost 7,000 miles later, I call myself a runner.
I even made a short video of my journey:
So to answer the question from National Running Day, “Why do I run?” I run because it’s helped give me a life I never knew existed.
