An ode to running.

I don't know about you, but I am so happy when I take the time to take care of myself physically. 

To me, that equals running. 

It was 3-4 years ago that I really discovered running and about 2 1/2 years ago that I realized how much I love it. 

This year I've mentioned my overarching goal is to choose to be happy and to look for the happiness all around me. Two more specific goals I made were to go running for a total of 200 miles + run a half marathon. I'm really excited about my progress on these goals and have noticed a significant improvement on my overall happiness well-being. 

So why do I love to run so much? 

There's something so wonderful about lacing up those running shoes and getting out in the fresh air that may be hard to understand if you're not a runner, but let me do my best to try and explain it. 

It's just you and the road. You're free to listen to music that really speaks to you and drives you to push yourself harder. You're free to think and let your mind wander. Your lungs burn, but somehow you've never felt better.  You have the fresh outside air and the warm sun beating down on you. You're free. You can choose which direction to go and for how long. You see things from a whole new perspective and you appreciate the little things the world around you has to offer. 

I love to run and I love how alive it makes me feel. It doesn't matter if it's 1 mile, 5, or 10; running gives me complete happiness in ways not many other things can. 

*image by Khemia Popa