We all have different reasons for running. Maybe you’re looking to get healthy or maintain a certain fitness level; maybe you have a time goal in mind and are looking to break a PR or obtain a BQ; maybe you run for the shiny race medals or that high from placing in your age group; maybe you’re just starting out and want to run your first 5K or you’ve built up to do your first marathon; maybe it’s your therapy and a welcome break from the stresses of life; maybe you’re looking to meet that special someone. Maybe you’re just longing for connection to people who share your same interest. Or maybe you simply just run for the pure enjoyment of putting one foot in front of the other.
For me, my “why” has evolved over the years and oftentimes the reasons have overlapped. When life gets hard (and it has) and you are faced with challenges that are not in your control, running is the one thing I feel I have control over. I make the decision to lace up my shoes and go out for a run. I make the decision to sign up for a marathon and I dedicate my time and energy toward that goal. When other parts of my life have been uncertain or in upheaval, running has always been a constant that I can rely on…..and although running will not make the problems go away, I always feel like I can tackle life’s challenges with a clearer head and a better perspective after a run. You can’t control what life throws at you, but running has definitely made the bumpy paths more navigable.
We all have “stuff” going on in our lives be it relationship issues, work challenges, health scares, financial strains, family strife. I’ve had my shares of challenges over the years. I dealt with a breast cancer diagnosis and chemo treatments that followed. What did I do? I signed up for the Chicago Marathon. Running and training gave me something else to focus on besides the health scare….. When my brother was diagnosed with a mental illness and I had to navigate the complexities of his care, running gave me an outlet to re-energize and re-focus so I could better care for him……When my dad’s health started declining and I spent many months caregiving, running gave me the respite I needed to handle the heaviness of it all. Then when my mom’s heart was failing and she was in decline, the running was there once again as my therapy…..Having to mourn the loss of my parents over the last few years and also mourning the loss of my 27 year marriage has been a lot to process. I’m thankful not only for the running that has provided me an outlet for my grief, but mostly I feel blessed to have found ORC and been surrounded by it’s members love, support and friendship. The weekly meet ups have provided me with that one hour block of “me time” and the space to talk about just running and forget about the “other stuff” even for just a brief moment.
As I look back on 2025 and onward to 2026, I reflect on the many ways that the running community has lifted me up and provided me comfort during life’s tougher times. In closing, my “why”, the one reason that remains constant all throughout my running journey is the camaraderie and the sense of community that ORC provides. I wanted to thank you everyone who has welcomed me and has been there for me and more importantly encourage those interested to come join ORC. You won’t regret it. Happy New Year to all and may you achieve your running goals in 2026!
Thankfully yours,
A Grateful ORC Member