Topic: COMMUNITY INTEREST
Why Do I Run?
By Tammy Duffy
I have been running for 34 years, since I was in high school. I was asked recently, “Why do I run? It’s really for personal reasons why each person dedicates themselves to running. These reasons can change through the years.
When I first started running, it was because I really enjoyed watching cross country meets as a kid. I loved watching the Summer Olympics as well. When I started running, running was not really that popular at the time. I was a real nerd in school and would run everywhere. I would disappear for hours and go for runs no matter what the weather was. I remember one summer day my parents saw me running in the pouring rain and thunder and lightening and my Dad stopped to pick me up.
I really fell in love with running, literally. In my youth I dated a fellow who drove a Green Grand Torino. This Grand Torino would just show up on my runs. Today we would view this as stalking, but then…it was a welcomed sight. The Green Torino owner, my boyfriend, would give me kisses and send me on my way. It was quite the incentive to run every day.
My love for running intensified when my Dad decided he wanted to try running. We would run at Steinert’s track all the time and through the trails at the park. It was great quality time alone with my Dad. We would have amazing talks and share how we could better the world.
Then my father died. I continue to run in his memory and the memory of loved ones I have lost over the years. When my father died, there were many things he never got to do. We had one of our amazing talks and he shared with me before he died that he wanted me to help him do the things he did not get to do in life. He wanted me to complete marathons and events for him all over the world. Many of the marathons and events I participate in are fund raisers for lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and other deadly diseases. All of which I do in memory of my Dad and support of my friends. This has become a natural way of life for me. I remember when I signed up for my first marathon many years ago I thought, “Geez what am I nuts?” I have now completed 16 full marathons, tons of half marathons, numerous 10K’s, 5K’s, and unique climbs up Rockefeller center in NYC. If that is not enough this past year I focused on training for triathlons and an Ironman. I did 5 sprint triathlons this year and one full Ironman. This year I have run thus far 2,758 miles training and running in events.
I became serious in my training and have sacrificed time with family and friends to compete. I am hooked. The healthy way of life and diet have allowed me to push my body to limits that I never thought I could possibly do. I run because running is a positive challenge. I can control the outcome, to a point. It pushes me to do more and do what I never thought I could do. It relaxes me. Life is filled with so many things that are not positive and out of our control. Running puts it all into perspective.
Runner’s are a great group of people. I have had very positive experiences at the events I have participated in. There is a great sense of comradery with runners. People help each other out and cheer each other on then they see a runner suffering in a race. I only now run coed races. I find the “chick only” races too slow, too bitchy and lacking of sportsmanship. I do not want to hear as ladies run 4 x 4 how they cook their meatloaf. A recent Irongirl triathlon I did reminded me of a Martha Stewart convention.
One day before Hurricane Sandy two years ago I ran the Marine Corp Marathon for the first time. I highly suggest this event for all runners. The Marine Corps does an amazing job with this race. I wore my Dad’s chevrons as a good luck charm. When I was at the wall at mile 18 and I was slowing up, I heard a Marine Sergeant say, ”Soldier I did not come here to see you walk, get going!” I got going.
I am very proud about the hundreds of thousands of dollars I have raised for charity over the years. The personal bests and accomplishments have been amazing. I continue to passionately train and will continue to run marathons until I cannot. I think about my Dad every time I do an event. When I think I cannot take another step I think about him and how he fought to the bitter end from colon cancer. His fight inspires me to get across the finish line. We have “conversations” to get me to the finish.
Next weekend I will run the Trenton Half marathon again. My parents were born and raised in East Trenton and I grew up visiting my grandmothers on Sherman Ave in East Trenton. My father when he was alive had a steel erection business. His business AHJ Inc. built the now called, Arm and Hammer stadium, the Justice Complex and other sites in the city of Trenton. I remember the topping out ceremony vividly of the Justice complex. We even adopted a wild dog that was born on the Justice complex construction site. It’s head was stuck in a can, so we took her home and named her Justy. She was nuts! She chewed my mother’s wooden picnic table in half. I feel my Dad’s presence every step of the way during the marathon. I see the buildings and structures he built and remember walking the steel with him and the conversations we used to have.
I run for the friendships, competitiveness amongst friends and, most of all, to encourage new runners to strive for their best. Nothing makes me feel prouder than when runners improve and complete marathons. It’s magical and running really changes peoples lives for the better. To be a part of that is why I run! Oh yea, and for the medals! I love the bling!