Alive and Running

Why Run? “I have a weight problem “. “You have a weight problem ?”. “Yes. I have to eat 4000 calories a day or I’ll lose weight” W hy do I run? I have more reasons now than when I first started. I wanted health and longevity. Today I run because it raises the quality of my life. By quality of life I mean that: I eat what I want without gaining weight. I sleep like a log. I have plenty of energy for work and for play I hardly ever get sick. My blood pressure has stayed at 110/70, I don’t need prescription, or over the counter drugs. I can work, play touch-tackle, iceskate, backpack, canoe and dance for hours without requiring a day of recuperation or a follow up visit to a doctor. I outlast my children and grandchildren in any of these activities and, in return, earn their respect and admiration. Three months after I started my exercise program I noticed a marked increase in my endurance, and some unexpected bonuses. I lost most of my “Type A” personality characteristics. Waiting at a red light, a line at the bank or post office, was no longer a source of annoy-ance. My friends noticed and wondered at my calmer de-meanor. The bottom line was that I just felt good; because - “It’s not days of your life, but the life in your days that counts.”