Simplicity

Tenie's aunt put this on my Facebook wall:

‎"Runners just do it. They run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first." –- Unknown

The simplicity of it shocked me the first time I read it. Upon reading it a second time, I had to laugh, but of course we keep running. Even if ten people have crossed in front of you, even if you are number 195 out of 200, for some reason you just keep running for the finish line.

When I ran my first 5 K race at the beginning of December, I never once stopped running for the finish line. In fact, when my body wanted to quit, my mind kept thinking about that finish line drawing nearer with every step. What is it about running that keeps you driving to cross that line even when you're sweating buckets, your lungs burn and your legs have gone numb? What makes you stagger over that line and think to yourself "Wow. I did it! I want to do that again!"

It's slightly crazy, don't you think?

Then again, maybe it's because you have reached a goal. Maybe it's the satisfaction you get out of beating your own body, the elements and, if you're lucky, another runner or two. Even if you aren't that lucky and you cross it last, for what ever reason, we runners just keep running. And yes, I have finally called myself a runner.