Why We Run and Race

I've been out at Umstead State Park in Raleigh this weekend getting my monthly fix of trail running.Tomorrow I will have the first of a two part post that typifies what living the Cerutty way is all about. There is a group of people that were once a part of the Stotans with me but eventually moved on. I was happy to get an update on what they've been up to a few weeks back after almost a decade of not hearing a thing about them.The following quote is well said by Brutus Hamilton who was a coach,writer,athlete, and philosopher.For a little added info I should say that Brutus was the winner of a silver medal at the Olympics in the decathalon and a former Olympic track and field coach.What you are about to read reaffirms what most of us hopefully already know or feel.

Why We Run and Race

"People may wonder why we like to run distance races. What fun is it? Why all that hard,exhausting work? Where does it get you? Where's the good of it? It is one of the strange ironies of this strange life that those who work the hardest,who subject themselves to the strictest discipline, who give up certain pleasurable things in order to achieve a goal are the happiest. When you see runners lining up for a distance race in some meet, don't pity them, don't feel sorry for them,better envy them instead. They are completely and joyously happy in their simple tastes,their strong and well-conditioned bodies, and with the thrill of competition before them. These are the days when they feel they can run on forever,the best of days when they are running because they love to. Their lives are fuller because of this competition and their memories will be far richer. That's why we love to run. That's why we do run. There is something clean and noble about it."