Search and Destroy

I'm sitting at my desk at work on break, sorting peanut M&M's by color and I realize that like the number of peanut M&M's in a king size package, there are many reasons why I run.

One of the better writer's on the subject of running, John Bingham put it simply: I am runner because I say I am a runner. It doesn't matter if I run 1 mile or 100 miles; or if I run because I am trying to lose weight, I am a runner when I say I am a runner. But he did not answer the question of why I run. He wasn't eating M&Ms and he did not realize that each M&M seems to be a reason.

I run so that I can eat at Curtis' BBQ and eat packages of king size peanut M&Ms without too much worry. I run to honor my body. I run so my mind can wander and come back clear. I run because I sit at a desk all day and instinct cries out that humans are supposed to move. I RUN, I don't jog. I run to annoy snowmobilers in the winter by not giving way on snowcovered trails. I run because it makes me feel good. I have never once felt regret over the time spent running. I run to find my limits. I run because it fills a need. I run because I always run against my greatest competitor: myself. And for the extra portions of food. I run for the food. I run for pancakes and pie, and reuben sandwiches, and sausage and BBQ and donuts. I run because...

I run in Pearl Izumi SyncroFloat2 and SyncroSeek2 shoes. I run in black shorts. I run in shirts that have soaked up years and miles worth of sweat and no matter how often I wash them, they still smell awful. I run with a green watch on my left wrist and I stop it any time I stop, for any reason even when I hesitate at a crosswalk. My socks wear through on the back of my heels and my heels themselves are calloused and blistered. I am a stocky runner with quick leg turnover and I must be blessed with a decent heart and lungs to be able to move my 5'4" frame fairly quick. I traded in the raw speed of my high school days for endurance. I eat GU and prefer water to gatoraid, but I'll drink the latter on a long run. I listen to music when I run; why seperate my two passions? I use the iPod shuffle and I am forever skipping songs. This week, I have listened to "Search and Destroy" by Iggy and the Stooges on every single run/workout.
I'm a streetwalkin' cheetah with a heart full of napalm. Thank you Iggy. Thank you.
I am a runner.