Why We Do What We Do

I woke up this morning at 10 past 5 in the morning. I had decided to run. I just spent an incredible 8 days in Vail Colorado with the family skiing at 8000 ft of elevation. That had to be good for something. I thought I would try to capitalize on that. Nevermind being difficult getting out of a warm bed. Got geared up, and out the door I went. Didn't take long for the question to pop in my mind, "Why do I do this?" Why do I go run at 5 am, in the dark, in the cold/heat? Why do I go swim on the days I don't run, an hour and a half of some pretty hard training? Why do put copious amounts of clothes on to go ride my bike in sub-freeaing temps? All of this raced through my mind this morning. I came up with one, fairly simple answer: Because I can.

Despite the bitching and complaining, despite the sore shoulders or thighs, despite the terrible hours, I like it. This morning, although only 4 miles, I felt dang good. It was cold and dark but I got home and into a hot shower and thought to myself, I did it, I didn't choose to stay in bed, I choose to go do something not many would choose to do. I do the occasional race to quash my competitive juices, but I am a trainer. I log 1000's of yards of pool workouts, don't do hardly any meets and alot of my teamates ask why I do it. I respond every time with, "because I like it." I run alot of miles up in the Red Rocks because I love it. I am outside running because I can.
I love the feel of physical exhaustion. I love the occasional nap to combat the feeling of physical exhaustion.

I don't believe in New Year's resolutions per say. I do re-commit, re-focus this time of year though. I think of what I want to accomplish and how to get there. I think about the the 5 mile run or the Thursday morning swim workout that don't really mean anything on the surface. But they have a personal meaning, a deep personal meaning for me. I hope they do for you as well. And if your efforts mean something to you, lets hear about them.

Why do I do it?

Because I can.