Daily running is goal you can live with

I have always been a goal setter.

I love the idea of writing down what you want to achieve, and then watching your life improve as you make the changes necessary to make that goal a reality. I have never accomplished a goal without significant peripheral benefits to my life in ways I didn't anticipate.

For example, in attempting to run five marathons in six months' time, I had to address my lack of nutrition. Before undertaking this goal, I sustained myself with a lot of french fries, Coca Cola and the occasional chocolate bar. I found out fairly quickly that I couldn't survive on junk and run 70 miles or more each week. In fact, there were days when I couldn't run five miles with the fuel I was providing my body.

Additionally, I have noticed a huge reduction in the number of headaches I was having. Regular exercise provided my body with a way to rid itself of stress. Whenever I missed more than a few consecutive days of running, I felt my fuse diminishing. I felt frustrated more easily and bothered by things I just let go when I was hitting the trail regularly. I was too tired to be petty, I suppose.

There is, however, a downside to being a goal setter. I tend to see life as a project. So when the project is complete, the goal achieved, I feel a little adrift. I end up having a significant discussion with myself about what's next and why.

The problem with goals is they're usually undertaken for very specific reasons — to get in shape; to lose weight; to be able to run, bike or swim in a specific race or races. And then, once that goal is mine, I'm lost again. I'm searching for a purpose, a reason to keep running and an avenue to

continue on the path I find myself.

A goal can help get you started on a journey you never knew you wanted to take. The problem is that a goal is finite. Our ability to learn, grow and improve, well, it shouldn't be.

Sports have always been a significant part of my life. For the most part, I just love to play. I love the social aspect of sports and I love that release of stress and frustration that sports allows us to sweat away. I love goofing around, and sometimes I'm even a little competitive. I have just never been competitive in running. In fact, one of the aspects of running I have come to love (and admire in those who undertake the sport) is that almost everyone who enters a race knows in advance that they will not win. The competition isn't with the guy or girl next to you, but with your own desire to avoid pain and discomfort.