Welcome to why we run!

This is the first day of what I hope will be a daily blog about why we love to run. I wanted to start this blog to share the stories I hear as I train and run races, and look for stories to share in my column and the paper. I plan to run all 13 Ragnar Relay races – starting with the original Wasatch Back – in June. It is my most ambitious fitness goal, and I need inspiration and support from those of you running – or thinking about running.
To start things off, I wanted to share something I found in my fanny pack a few weeks ago. About six years ago my best friend and I started dedicating our runs to someone we were inspired by. The first one was Pat Tillman, the NFL superstar who gave up millions to fight for our country and lost his life in Afghanistan.
It’s a tradition I usually keep to myself. But in the interest of encouraging others to spill their guts to me, in this blog and in the paper, I share with you the reasons I ran the Las Vegas Marathon in December. I either write myself a note or carry something from the person for whom I’m running.
Here it is: (And I will admit being tempted to edit!! But I did not.)
These 26.2 miles are for Daphne Claire, the toughest person I know. She ran her first 5K alone, in the snow, just 10 years old. Generous, brave and full of joy.
For Rachel, who makes life a joy. She is easy to love, easy to be around and so, so easy to be proud of.
For Ed, who loves me in spite of my flaws. He loves what makes him crazy. He loves me.
For my nephews and my niece, who have known more turmoil than most. I run with you in my heart, hoping you will also know too much love, too much joy.
For my mom and dad, Always my guides, my support, my touchstones.
For my sister, please don’t let the sadness consume her.
For my other sisters (who run with me today), you light up my life. (A private joke between me and one of my sisters because we love to sign – with complete tone deafness – “You light up my life.”)
For my brother, you make me smile. You inspire me. You are full of courage, hope and optimism.
For my four legged friends, you give me unconditional love that never fails to redeem me.
All of you will bring me along, keep me moving forward, in life, in this race, mile after mile, breath after breath…

It is my hope that you will share with me on this blog or through e-mail (adonaldson@desnews.com) what or who inspires you to push yourself, either in a race or every day.

Happy running!