The Art of Running By Colleen Yorke: You run in this? Why?

Thanks to a lack of exposure and a Weather Channel ethos that depicts climate as something that is either "extreme heats" or "chilly", many people in Los Angeles pass their days indoors with the blinds down and the A/C on. The "You run in this? Why?" query comes to no surprise to those of us who run.

I have run a lot of miles this year. I have explored some unique and some very strange roads. I have run on dirt, asphalt and sand. I have climbed a few mountains, and I have fallen down a few times. I have seen some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets this city has to offer. I have crossed paths with raccoons, deers, bunnies, a grey fox and a bob cat. And, I have met and befriended some amazing people. When I think of the many reasons why I run, it is first and foremost because of them. They are the reason why I commute 90 miles, and they are the reason why I wake up at 4:30 am. Their smiles, their hugs, their stories have helped me through some difficult days this year, the recent one being this Thursday. Emotionally drained, I did not feel like commuting 90 miles to Downtown Los Angeles. Thank Goodness for a few Downtown Runners, who texted me during the day, reminding me that no one could possibly follow my fun but labyrinth-like directions.

Lately I have been scrambling to fit my running around the rest of my life. But tonight, after a long, hard run with people, who truly rock my world, I am being reminded of the things I love about running. It is "this".