This past weekend I had an adventure but didn’t travel by car but by foot, running the Fargo 10k. My journey with running has been a long one and I get the question a lot “Why do you like to run?” Most would think the answer would be simple such as “I love to run to look good and keep fit” or “I love to run to get faster” of course my answer is much, much more than that.

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Mile 1: It’s cold and my legs hurt already. Keep going and stop complaining. Yeah, I got to see some of my former student’s by the Wellness Center, oh how I miss them. (So many memories flood my brain and take my breath away) No time for tears just keep moving.

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My passion for running began when I was quite little as my dad was a track coach so his mentality was everyone should be in track if they want to be good at all sports, which I have come to agree with. It all started with Hershey’s track and I just loved the practices where most just loved the meets. Of course, I loved the meets too and in the beginning winning was pretty sweet too. I do not have all the talent in the world but really had to work hard to be a decent runner. The adrenaline rush you get when the gun goes off and how you have to dig deep to be your best is one of those feeling that will stay with you forever. My sister was also a runner and I loved going to her meets and watching her kick butt at State Track. She ran the 400m so of course as I got older I did too. I fell in love with it and it became a part of who I was. I worked so hard to be the best, to be perfect, to make others proud of me. I have so many wonderful memories of high school track such as:

Decorating our coaches yard multiple times (toilets, toilet paper, flamingos)

State Track meets (meeting so many wonderful people and developing friendships)

Qualifying for the State meet in the 400 my junior year (because my family saw it)

Doing 2 workouts/day: track practice and then taking off for Minot with my dad for Acceleration camp (bonding time)

          Of course tearing my ACL/MCL my senior year put me in a place where I wasn’t sure about anything as I couldn’t run and I had to stand still which isn’t in my nature at all. Who was I without running? Everything I worked towards heading in to my senior year was all for nothing? I was still able to run by track season and even made it to state but of course was not what I use to be. It was never about the winning or the glory but doing my best and reaching my highest potential.

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Mile 2-3: I see my dad a head. I can’t believe that he has come to see me every year, what an amazing dad. Okay, I see kids that have their hands out and no one is giving them a “high-five” but I will because they are also standing in the cold and cheering for all of us! 

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After high school I started running a lot more and longer distances. I had always loved running in meets and at practice but it became something bigger. I am a deep thinker and my brain never seems to shut off so for me this is my outlet, my therapy. When I am out running, I am alone and I can just be free from everything and everyone (Introvert: I have tried running with others and just can’t). I am able to sort my thoughts and sometimes make sense of situations I don’t have control over. The thing is my body doesn’t like me running as having multiple knee surgeries has made everything a little more difficult, however I accept the challenge as I believe there is probably a lesson invovled. I do have fear that what if the one thing that makes me feel okay is taken away? I have had people tell me that “You will find something else to replace it.” but I truly feel that this is not possible.

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I started running in the Fargo Marathon 11 years ago and have only missed 1 year due to another knee surgery. Also, the last 3 years Jocey and I have done the youth run together so hoping she can use it as an outlet too. I absolutely love being a part of this event as everyone around me may not have the same reason to run but have their own reason to run the events. I see a lot of people running for others who can’t or for charities. I do this too, however I don’t voice it as I am running for many. I have seen first hand what it is like to lose the ability to walk or even stand and I can’t fathom it. My aunt had MS and even though the ability to move was no longer there she still had the most amazing spirit and always smiled (tears). I can feel that smile from heaven when I run. I run for those who don’t have the ability to run so I ask you “WHY WOULDN’T YOU RUN, if you have the ability to?”  (Please Watch:  Team Hoyt)

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I need to RUN………..I LOVE to run………I do it for ME………..

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Here is my playlist from the race as music is a must when I run. Some of the songs have meaning while others are there for fun:

Stronger: Kanye West-(A mentor use to play this in cycling class, just love it)

Shots: Lil Jon/LMFAO

Beg for It: Iggy Azalea

Bang Bang: Ariana Grande

Harlem Shake:

Edge of a Revolution: Nickelback

Black Widow: Iggy Azalea

Racy City: Tyga

What Are You Waiting For: Nickelback- (Truly what are we waiting for??????)

Fancy: Iggy Azalea

Heaven Knows: The Pretty Reckless

Lose Yourself: Eminem (Look, if you had one shot, or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted. one moment. Would you capture it or let it slip?)

Party Rock Anthem: LMFAO

Sexy And I Know It: LMFAO

Impossible: Manafest (Crying and hiding this feeling, running and fighting for freedom)

One Thing: Finger Eleven

Uptown Funk: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars

                             (via Positive Outlooks)