No matter how cold the weather has been lately or how stormy it was up here in Montreal on Friday – the reality is that people continue to hit the pavement in droves. People running solo with their iPods, people running in running groups, people running with their baby in heavy duty stroller and people running with their dog/or dogs leading the way. You just can’t keep a devoted, obsessed runner at bay – no matter the climate, weather circumstances or the location. Runners will ALWAYS find a reason, a way and a place to run loose.
I was up in Mont Tremblant New Year’s Eve – as I woke up bright and early on New Year’s day, I could not help but be amazed at the running group sailing past our friend’s cottage at 6:45am. As we hit some extremely low temperatures and dangerously high winds last week, you couldn’t help but notice the weekly Wednesday evening Running Room Group dominating the streets downtown. This past Friday, as 40cm of snow was falling on Montreal, runners dressed in full ski get up were stomping through unplowed streets. And yesterday, as the streets of downtown Montreal remained a mess from the Friday storm aftermath – there went an obsessed runner and proud father, running the sidewalk with baby in heavy duty stroller. Go figure.
Why is it the increasing popularity of running? What brings people out of their homes and onto the streets no matter the elements of outside? I cannot speak for every runner out there, but I do know why I run. I run because it’s a challenge, an awesome workout and the freedom of being outdoors and running loose. With iPod in check, the music and adrenaline keep me moving at a furious pace. Its cardio pumping at its best. Its me and the streets. No machines, no heavy weights, no class to follow or instructor to listen to. Its my heart moving fast and my feet moving faster. You feel as if there is no place you’d rather be as you live in the now and continue to run. Its addictive.
Anything that has the ultimate benefit/result of better health through physical activity and exercise I’m all for. And that’s what running is truly all about. People moving their feet to the challenge of better health, enhancing endurance and increasing overall energy. I love it.
