Why I love running

I overheard a good friend commenting that she thinks people run because they are bored. You can pretty much blame boredom for the cause of anything you do.

The comment came shortly after I finished my first half marathon, an accomplishment and made me develop an entirely new appreciation into running and for other runners. I've always been a leisure runner and never gave though in the idea of racing. While I'm sure most of her thoughts were intended as a joke, being the devoted runner that I am, I couldn't help but to take a little offense.

Rather than snarling back, I thought it would be a good time for me to remind myself and share all the reasons why I enjoy running so much!

1. Its the most efficient way of staying healthy.

2. It's the most effective way of losing weight. If for any reason I fall off the track one day and gain 5 pounds, there's no easier, healthier and faster way to get back into shape than running.

3. It doesn't cost anything to run - we all know how costly a gym membership can get and how we mysteriously rarely ever stick to the gym membership plan ; )

4. I love the challenge, I love how I feel a sense of accomplishment after a run. There really is something called the runner's high!

5. Great way for me to enjoy mother nature, especially after being confined at my desk and staring at screens all day.

6. When I travel, running gives me a great way to explore a new city. When I was in Hawaii, every morning I would jog to the Diamond Head lookout and back. Talk about eye-gasms from running along the Hawaii shores and sunrise with the sun shining on the waves against a backdrop of blueish purple sky! In Miami, I ran several times along the beach walk in the mornings. It was gorgeous.

7. Doing what your body was meant to do - not only were we born to walk, we were also born to run. Our ancestors had to chase down preys in order to survive!

8. It helps clear my head - Running allows me to think over things, gives me time to ponder on decisions, come up with new ideas.

9. Running helps me release stress - when I'm having a bad day, I'll go for a run to think things over, let the thoughts flow out, and I usually feel better.

10. Running actually counteracts with my tired and lazy days - I find that the days when I dread my runs the most are the best runs. I am completely rejuvenated and energized after I finish my workout/run. Running never fails to make me feel better!

11. Mentality - running helps me feel strong, powerful, brave and free.

12. Couldn't stand the thought of running in the rain? I actually enjoy running in LIGHT rain. When I finish, it's like I just stepped out of the shower.


I hope this post may possibly give you some insight to start running, or to those of you who already run, will help you on those days you really don't feel like running, and to those who can't run or have no interest in running, to respect those those who take their running with a passion.

I can think of an endless number of reasons but these are the main ones that come to mind. Are there any other reasons why you run?

Sustainable Living Expo

Thought I'd note down and share some excellent and valuable ideas learned from the Sustainable Living Expo (Epic) on Saturday, May 14, 2011.


Baking without eggs (substitution):

- 1/4 cup applesauce or mashed banana
- 3 Tablespoons of silken tofu
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of water

Nutritional Yeast: Available as flakes or powder, it adds a cheesy flavour to all sorts of foods and is fortified with vitamin B12

Seitin - wheat meat, versatile, hearty and chewy.

Tahini: versatile Mediterranean paste made from ground hulled sesame seeds.

Tempeh: whole soybeans, sometimes mixed with grains , richer than tofu.

TVP: textured vegetable ( or soy) protein made from soy flour, cooked under pressure, extruded and tried.

Substitute butter for Earth Balance vegetable margarine


Seachoice.org = Canada's Seafood Guide to choosing sustainable seafood choices:

Some items noted to Avoid:
Farmed:
- ( International shrimp/prawn, tiger)
- Atlantic Salmon
- Tilapia (China, Taiwan)

Some of the best choices that made the list:
- US Tilapia
- CDN/US Wild crab
- Canadian Sablefish
- Cdn/US albacore tuna

Bees
- Population of bees are depleting at a rate of 20% per year. Some things you can do to help:

- Plants are bee friendly (http://www.thedailygreen.com/going-green/tips/bee-friendly-plants)
- Limit the use of pesticides

Fairtrade

Look for the fair trade logo to support products derived from social movement and market-based approach that aims to help producers in developing countries make better trading conditions and promote sustainability. The movement advocates the payment of a higher price to producers as well as higher social and environmental standards. It focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, most notably handicrafts, coffee, cocoa, sugar, tea, bananas, honey, cotton, wine, fresh fruit, chocolate.

Some of my favourite fair trade merchants that I sampled:

- Camino chocolates
- Salt spring Coffee