Why I Run

To feel the air in my lungs
To hear my feet hit the ground in a steady cadence
To see the moon and stars above - to know that I am so blessed when I see a shooting star
To watch the morning sky turn imperceptibly from black to deep blue to blue grey
To view the magic of the rising sun - the spectrum of colors from blue to the ball of yellow, an arc peeking over the horizon

To hear the birds chirping in the early hours of spring and summer
To see the bunny scamper across the lawn
To see the red fox run along the watery ravine
To watch the blue heron spread its majestic wings and fly away
To hear the geese honking as they fly above

To smell the lilacs and peonies and know that it is May
To smell the honeysuckle and know that it is June
To smell the crisp air and dried leaves of fall
To see the glimmer of dew on the grass in summer and fall
To be amazed by the layer of fog over the water as the golden sun beams through, casting shimmering beads of light on the water's surface.
To crunch over freshly fallen snow as it continues to softly fall, enveloped in stillness

To feel the wind howl across my face
To be battered by rain and sleet
To feel the inside my nose freeze immediately as I inhale the sub Zero air
To let gravity draw me down effortlessly on the downhills, to work my butt off on the inevitable uphill that follows
To feel my legs, heavy and sore, carry me forward even though I want to stop
To grow stronger with each stride and subsequent run
To enjoy the camaraderie that comes with running with friends
To feel that runner's high

I run to know acutely that I am alive

1. Good Morning Run #shirleyruns #seenonmyrun #sky #sunrise, 2. Still Waiting for Spring #seenonmyrun #morning #aroundtown, 3. The Running Trail #snow #snowglobe, 4. Loved Running Through This Part of the Trail #runchat #wildflowers, 5. 189/365+1 Great Morning for a Run. Inspired by @tmsweet. #sunrise #sky #clouds, 6. Mile Four #11miles #11/11/11 #running #chambana, 7. Clear Skies and Path, 8. Mile 2, 9. Coming into The Light #run #road #sky #goodmorning #morningruns, 10. Finished up - 20.2 miles today #run #selfie