25 miles down, 125 to go, $12.50 in the jar

I am the first to admit I am crazy. You have to be half-cracked to run 40 miles a week, especially when it involves pushing a double jogger up hills, down hills, in 90 degree heat and humidity. You have to be somewhat mentally unstable to run through the pouring rain (minus stroller!) or when you stayed up too late drinking wine the night before. I recognize this, but it doesn't stop me from running anyway.

So what is the motivation? As I said before, it all started as a way to fit in my jeans, but there is so much more to it than that. I guess the first logical answer is the adrenaline rush I get from running. It makes me feel better, gives me more energy and is one thing I know I can check off my list each day. Running is also great therapy. I can tell you no matter how stressed or down or tired I am before I run, I feel 100% better when I am done.

The second kind of motivation comes from music. I depend on my iPod a great deal for my runs. I have my "fast songs" that help carry me along. A lot of times the songs remind me of different places and times in my life. They conjure up good, bad or even angry emotions. No matter what, they fuel my runs. Along with the music my iPod provides, this new Nike + that plugs into my iPod has me competing against myself every day. The best part is that they have sports celebrities tell you that you've beat a personal best at the end of a workout. Nothing more motivating than having Lance Armstrong tell you you've run your fastest mile yet!

I also love running with the jogging stroller because I get a great deal of encouragement from people driving by or other runners, walkers or bikers. I do get the occasional creepy men honking the horn, but more often I get genuine nods of respect for my insanity. I have two favorite passerby's that I will never forget. The first was a woman driving by who honked and gave me a very enthusiastic thumbs up. The second was a slightly overweight man riding his bike. He looked like a combination of John Belushi from Animal House and the brother-in-law from the hangover. I don't know if I was more surprised by the fact this man was actually out exercising on a Saturday morning or that he shouted "You GO GIRL!" followed by a fist pump. He may have been riding his bike because he lost his driver's license after DUI, but that is neither here nor there.

Now, when I run, I can't help but think of my new motivation for running and that is helping others. Beating personal bests, gaining attention from others and fantasizing about running down the beach to "Chariots of Fire" are all fine and good, but knowing I am running for a greater good gives me a whole different kind of rush.