Live to Run and Run to Live

by Eleni Barbetsea
(Scotland)

Hi Fellow Runners,

By telling you "Why I Run" I am aware that at the same time I will be sharing with you what is meaningful and important in my life as I believe that "Running is Life" and the way we approach Running indicates the way we desire to experience Life.

I run because I can remember My Past, I run because I can feel The Present/The Moment and I run because I can visualise positively the Future.

Running has been an inseparable part of my life since I can remember "Me" running bare footing on the hot sand of the beautiful beach of Stoupa (Greek Village). My memories go back to early childhood and beyond. Running at times takes me back where one cannot place time barriers. It makes me almost feel that I can go back to primitive stages like a wild Cheetah in the jungle. Each time I watch a Cheetah running I can easily cry. It is really hard to put words into feelings.

When I run I can be myself 100%. I do not have to be someone else as I can feel my Body, Mind and Soul in harmony.

I run because it gives me inner strength and an amazing approach towards life's adversities.

I run because I feel united and part of the whole universe co-existing with all its elements and creatures.

I run because I have the opportunity to harness the Physical and recognise the Spiritual. It somehow comes natural to experience Freedom whilst by the same token harness freedom.

I run because I can express my inner self. Running gives me the opportunity to reflect and the mental clarity along with the feelings of calmness,peace and tranquility.

When I run amongst others I have the opportunity to face challenge in me and next to others. This offers me a strong feeling of connection to others and sense of achievement and pride. Running connects me not just to others but also to the Supreme allowing me to experience Love for THE WHOLE WORLD.

I run because I can see the world at times through the eyes of my soul.

I run because I want to learn, improve and get better. Running gives me a unique pleasure and experience at all levels and allows me to grow and reflect.

I run because I can experience and share the spirit of those special moments with other fellow runners.

Running teaches me how to deal with Life as it brings out the most positive thoughts. At times it is not easy as the the physical body will resent the effort but in the challenge is where I find the happiness. This is why I Love running up hills the more the challenge the more motivated I become.

Running has never let me down and I Do Thank God for offering me this gift... "The Ability To Run" and understand myself and the world the way I do.

I LIVE THE WAY I RUN AND I RUN THE WAY I LIVE. These two elements are strongly linked together.

For all the above reasons I run.

Last but not least I run because I have LOTS OF FUN too as Running can be a beautiful game with a sense of lightness and freedom with no worries in a stress free zone.

Running is Good for The Mind, Body and Soul and as my old Greek ancestors would say it guarantees "A Heathy Mind in a Healthy Body".