Ask any marathoner why they run and most of them will tell you something along the lines of “To improve my time, my personal record.  Because it’s a challenge.  It forces me to focus on something and be dedicated and prove to myself that I can do it.”  Blah. Blah. Blah.

That is – of course – why I also run marathons.

But put all that aside and really the reason that I love to run is because with every step I take I can escape.  I can lose myself.  I am lighter.  My worries are suspended.  I am happy.  I am free.  I am at peace.

I hadn’t necessarily planned on running so soon after Boston – but I have needed to run this week.  And the 45 – 50 minutes I’ve run each day has brought me the peace that I’ve needed.

Deep breaths.