Running To My Happy Place

A lot of people ask me why I run.

"Wouldn't you rather go golfing or have a beer?"

I don't think I had a great answer in the past. I'd usually reply that I was just trying to get in shape. Lose a few pounds.

Now, though, I know why I run.

Today's 15K Pilot Knob Trail Race reminded me exactly why I run.

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I rode my bike out to Pilot Knob from my apartment this morning (about 6 miles) and got to the race about an hour early. I met a cool group of people from Des Moines, a lady from Storm Lake who has done 55 marathons, a guy from Forest City who I recognized but didn't know all that well, a very attractive couple from Argentina, and quite a few others.

It was gorgeous at Pilot Knob today. The trails were a little muddy but not too bad. And I felt great as I started the 9.3 mile run.

Somewhere after mile 2 I realized I was in my happy place. It was complete bliss. Pure happiness. Contentment. I was on a beautiful trail, on a sunny, spring day, running with a bunch of super-nice people.

All of us running for a reason. Running to something.

Some were running hard to get to the finish. Others were running to enjoy the day. All of us ran to get or stay in shape.

I ran to find happiness and to feel alive.

A buddy of mine ran 15 miles today in training for a marathon. He texted me and said "I felt alive."

I knew exactly what he meant.

We live in a world of disappointment and unmet expectations. People lose jobs. Relationships end. We struggle to attain possessions we hope will make us happy. We try to buy a bigger house and a nicer car.

Why do I run?

Because when I run outside I'm connected to nature. I'm a part of an amazing, active community of runners who say "Good Job!" or "Keep It Up!" whether you pass them or they pass you.

When I run, I realize what's important in life. It's about experiencing something pure and meeting people who understand that we're all running to something.

I finished the race in 1:33.54 and ended up coming in 2nd in the 20-29 age group. I think there might have only been two or three of us in that age group but I felt okay about running ten minute miles on a hilly, difficult trail course.

After the race, we all sat around for about 2 hours and grilled some burgers and brats, talked about running and waited for the last of the runners to finish.

As I got on my bike to head home, I knew that for an hour and a half this morning I had truly found my happy place.

"Josh, why do you run?"

"Because no matter how far I have to run, it's the shortest distance to my happy place."

Enjoy the ride (and the run),
Damm