Sole Story: Why I Run

Everyone has a story. For some it’s a story of wanting something more, for others it’s a story full of tears, heart and determination. Our series “Sole Stories” will give you a glimpse into what drives women to change their lives and their “soles.” Lanita shares why her love the pavement runs so deep.

SOLE STORY: WHY I RUN

Lanita Morrison

Special things happen when you run. For instance, many experience the “Runner's High.” That exhilarating endorphin rush generated from a body in motion, lungs max-ed out, heart pounding. On occasion, I've felt it. It's amazing. But after running for a few years, I've come to realize that for me, the “runner's high” is often elusive, like four leaf clovers and albino alligators (the latter, of which, I hope to never have a close encounter with.) Don't get me wrong, I love love love running. But I'm no Buzunesh Deba* or Desi Linden*. I'm just a regular Jane, who enjoys pushing the pace three to four times a week. I'm not particularly fast...9 minute miles are speedy for me. Fellow runners might define me as a “middle of the pack” girl. I've run alone. I've run in groups. I've done tempo runs and gotten lost on trails. I've done speedwork on well-lit tracks and dark roads. I've tried barefoot running on Mission Beach. I've done long slow runs on treadmills while watching Charlie Rose. I've done 8 mile runs that flowed effortlessly, and 3 milers that were tortuous. I've run for the hell of it. And currently, I'm running for a cause close to my heart. I've run during the happiest of times. And I've run to keep my sanity during the saddest. And despite the uniqueness of each run, most of them share one thing in common. That moment, about five to ten minutes into a workout, when everything settles in. Whatever frustrations or anxieties, I brought into the run fade away. I can hear the even rhythm of my breathing, the steady beat of my heart, and the regularity of every footfall. My mind is clear, my spirit serene. And for a moment, I've achieved complete balance in mind, body, and soul. It's an experience that is more valuable to me than the “runner's high.” Because within that “runner's balance,” I discover my truest self. *my running idols About Lanita Morrison Lanita Morrison lives with her husband and two children in Phoenix, AZ. She has completed several road races ranging in distance from 5k to half marathon. Besides running, she is a pilates devotee, and she enjoys ballroom dancing. Lanita believes in the importance of being active and eating healthily.

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