“I run for my health.”
“I run for a great body.”
Every time I hear either, I can’t help but smile.

I run for the thrill.
I run for the moment.
I run for the feeling
of everything behind me and everything ahead.
I run for the memories.
I run for the laughs.
I run for the late nights
with footsteps on gravel and lake water glistening.

I run from the old me.
I run from old pain.
I run from standing still
and everything passing me every damn day.
I run from the cold.
I run from the stress.
I run from every day
that has regrettably passed.

I run so my outside
Reflects what’s within.