Why Run a Half Marathon

Early this year I wrote a blog post explaining why I would not run a marathon. Alas, today´s post is about why on November 20, God willing, I will run my first half marathon.

On the one hand, long-distance running is eerily similar to:

o   Raising kids

o   Writing books

o   Trying to publish those books!

o   Having a relationship

o   Life´s challenges

The reasons why I’ve officially registered for the half-marathon and started training: 

o   Because I want to know what it feels like to cross the finish line after running 13 miles with hundreds or thousands of other runners

o   Because the discipline of training spills into my writing career

o   Because I´m going to write about it and it´s the only way to do it with authority

o   Because it´s not quite the same to overcome an obstacle or reach a goal because you have to than because you set out to do it, willingly.  

It doesn´t need to be a half or even a full marathon. What goal are you willing to take on because you want to and not because you have to?  

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Diario del Éxito (Success Diaries) will be published in book form late in 2011 by ediciones Obelisco.

13 Reasons to Run

I started running when I was 12. I still remember the burning feeling in my chest, the pain in my legs and the extreme fatigue because I didn´t know how to pace myself. Still, at the end of that run I felt good: my pre-adolescent difficulties seemed to wane after having accomplished the difficult task of running.

36 years later I still run regularly. So far, running has helped me overcome many challenges to include a broken heart, separation, divorce, financial strife, unemployment and more. 

Why I run:

-       It´s free

-       You can do it anytime, anywhere

-       It doesn´t require fancy equipment other than a good pair of running shoes

-       It´s a great way to explore new surroundings

-       It can be a form of meditation

-       It´s an excellent cardiovascular workout

-       You can do it alone or with someone else

-       You can run while you push a baby stroller

-       Running helps produce endorphins, which are a mood enhancer

-       The discipline of running spills into other areas of your life

-       It helps keep your weight in check

-       It´s a great conversation piece

-       It beats getting hammered

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To know more about my books: www.lorrainecladish.com

Success Diaries will be published in book form in Spanish, late in 2011, by Obelisco.