It happened about 45 minutes into a planned 90 minute run. My legs were heavy. My stomach was empty. My head wasn't into it. I wanted to quit. I don't mean quit the run for the day. I mean .. quit. I didn't want to run ever agan. I didn't see the point. On that day, at that minute, I was prepared to stop running forever. I'd find a new hobby. I'd take up biking, or kayaking. Maybe I'd try yoga instead.

Once I got through the next 45 minutes (I was about 5 miles from home) I would walk in the front door, smile and report to Michelle that my 5am runs were history. She'd have to deal with sharing the bed with me for a few more hours each morning.

Since I needed a way to mentally pass the time, I started to make a checklist of why I run … how could I put myself through this torture?? Here's what I came up with …

  • I like ice cream.
  • I like beer, too.
  • I don't want to be fat, and I'm not prepared to give up ice cream and beer
  • I spent money on the winged foot tattoo on my left calf … it would look really silly if I wasn't a runner.
  • What the hell am I going to do with six pairs of running shoes?
  • All of (OK, both of) my friends run. I don't want to have to find new friends.
  • I'm finally starting to get some definition in my calf muscles.
  • The nice lady with the llaso apso would miss me on my 6am runs near Loop Beach (I think I see her every morning).
  • The only stories I have are running-related. As boring as they are, they're the best I have.
  • A Runners World subscription in a house w/out a runner is just sad, and I signed up for another 2 years.
  • I really want a Garmin Forerunner and I think that only runners are allowed to buy them (some sort of Patriot Act-inspired background check)
  • How else can I weasel an hour or two of "Dave-time" 5 days a week?

… at the time they made perfect sense, as I review the list now, I think I might have been a little oxygen-deprived.

It's been 24 hours since my last run, and I'd like to add a few reasons:

  • I like thinking that I might be a role model for Caitlin, Keely and Colin the same way my Dad was/is a role model for me.
  • I like being "that guy" running in the morning – you know the one … the guy you see when you're driving into work. You usually see him right about the same spot, @ the same time. If a few weeks go by and you don't see him, you start to wonder where he is.
  • I love watching the sun rise over the water

That's a pretty good list .. I might come back to this from time-to-time w/ some updates. It's getting late (8:20pm). I've got an early morning run planned so I should probably get to bed.