We run for a variety of reasons.  As part of a post on October 10th, I listed some of the reasons why I run.  Not the fluffy, altruist reasons, but the "let's-get-down-to-the-truth" reasons.   The comments from other runners were so inspirational that I compiled them together to share them here.

Here were my original thoughts:

I run so...I have the patience to explain to my kids for the thousandth time that candy corn is not a vegetable.  It is merely a coincidence that they harvest the corn around our house at the same time it shows up in stores.  And that they shouldn't bite into a real pumpkin because it tastes nothing like the little candy pumpkins that are next to the little candy corns.

I run so... I can stand the sound of flip-flops... I have the will power to sit and smile patiently through unplanned drop in's of coworkers ranting about topics that don't matter... I have the endurance to work through lunch and sometimes dinner... I have the brainpower to finish the mind-numbing complex work that has to be done in minimal time and with not enough money or resources.   

I run so...I can listen to a 20 minute nonstop dissertation on the best and worst Pokemon, which kid has what card, what Pokemon crap we desparately need - and do so with a "I am so interested in what you are saying" smile the entire time...I can reward myself with time on the floor with my kids playing puzzles or coloring without thinking how I need to get up and do something.

I run so...I can eat cookies in large quantities but mitigate the effects...I can stay in the same size jeans - because shopping for jeans that need to be a size larger is a hundred times worse than running for hours...My beer tastes even better.

I run so...I have a few minutes of peace to myself...I allow myself to do only one thing at a time while running - there are no phones, email, or urgent other issues....I have a chance to catch my breath even though sometimes I run hard enough I lose it.

I run so...I have the core strength to vaccuum at super human speeds...My legs are strong enough to chase after kids who escape...I spend 30 minutes less in my house each day looking at the corners and cobwebs that need to be cleaned.

I run so...nonrunners seem less annoying.  :}  I did throw that into the end just to see if he was still listening to my ranting. 

Here are the reasons from some great runners:

The Laminator.  I personally think that when it comes down to it, we run because that's what we are. Running isn't something we do; it isn't a job. It's something that makes up the fabric of what are as individuals and as human beings. We run because it's an expression of our soul. Isn't that why we all say, "I Run Therefore I Am."

nwgdc . I run because we often think pleasure is found in the absence of pain. so we try and avoid pain, and only wind up with more pain! i see it every day in the office! "for when i am weak, then i am strong!"

Vanilla.  I run because I'm a runner. You just can't explain it to someone who doesn't get it. I run because it doesn't just make me stronger, it makes me FEEL stronger.

Database Diva.  I run because the human body wasn't designed to sit for 12-18 hours/day. It was designed to walk and run.

I run because my non-running self is very tense, and can be a danger to my self and others.

I run because it is the best known cure for "mental constipation".

I run because while I am running I feel completely in control of my life.

I run because the sensation of my arms, legs, heart and lungs working together is one of the simplest pleasures of life.

IM Able.  I run because it makes life look that much easier in comparison.

Allison. I run to save myself thousands of dollars in therapy. :) Running IS therapy!!