Why I Run
A simple explanation to a hard inquiry.
Originally posted on Facebook notes 2019-03-21.
Not long ago
Billy Yang Films created a movie titled
The Why where he explained and documented his journey through Leadville 100 and showed many people in very simple terms of what drives some of us crazy ultra runners. Sometimes it is very hard to explain to someone of what I do on the weekends, away from my office here in downtown of the city in Houston where I’m surrounded by hard working office bound people. I just say that I like to run.
So how come then am i writing a note like this? I want to explain my reason why in very simple and very clear terms of to how I have become so in love with this extreme fringe endurance sport of ultrarunning.
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| "The Best Part of Me" by Addison Meding (2019-02-28) |
"The best part of me is my legs. One reason is I can play my favorite sport. I can hike up the mountains. I can run so that I can run with my dad. I love my legs."
My oldest daughter wrote the above not long ago as one of her 1st grade assignments. She came up with it on her own and surprised us by bringing it home all proud and happy to show it off. She is only 6 years old. It made my heart melt and also made me reflect back.
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My oldest daughter and I at my first ever race |
Woody's RV Half Marathon | Red Deer, AB, Canada |
2016-05-22 | Photo: Katie Meding |
In March of 2016 is when I got the idea to run a half marathon and try to get myself back into somewhat better shape. I did not particularly enjoy running, but I had a goal of getting this training and eventual race done. Training was hard and the weather on the day was worse for my first ever race. But there is one thing that made it all worth while. My wife and kids were there cheering me on and supporting me the entire time when it came to the race. They were trapped in the exact same shitty weather I was (rainy 4C / 39f), but they were there for me...how cool is that.
After catching the running bug and finding the trails I grown to love this sport for a variety of reasons. But ultimately it keeps coming back to one reason and it is really simple to explain. Yet, I can not find the words to put it into proper form, so I won’t.
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| My 2 oldest daughters who were there cheering me on in my first ever trail experience | RVR 25 km | Edmonton, AB, Canada | 2016-06-18 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| My oldest daughter running kids 1km race | 5Peaks Fish Creek | Calgary, AB, Canada | 2016-08-06 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| My 2nd daughter providing support during my first ever ultra event | 5Peaks Triplestoke | Revelstoke, BC, Canada | 2018-08-28 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| Oldest daughter high five support | 5Peaks Trail Half | Canmore, AB, Canada | 2016-09-17 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| 2nd daughter enjoying my finish medal | River Valley Revenge Winter 50km | Edmonton, AB, Canada | 2017-01-21 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| oldest daughter running into finish with me | Santa Barbara Nine Trails 35mi | Santa Barbara, CA, USA | 2017-03-25 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| Wife and 3 daughters supported me the entire race in my first ever 100 mile attempt. I credit my victory to their crewing | River Valley Revenge 100 mi | Edmonton, AB, Canada | 2017-06-10 | Photo: James Dalke |
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| My family often supports me into the wee hours of the night as I have ventured into the longer distances | Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run 100 km | Glen Rose, TX, USA | 2017-11-04 | Photo: unknown |
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| My 2 oldest daughters created cheering sign for me | Brazos Bend 100 mi | Needville, TX, USA | 2017-12-09 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| My 3 daughters ensuring I hydrate adequately | San Felipe Shootout | San Felipe, TX, USA | 2018-03-24 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| Often the kids have to be carried to (or from) the vehicle while sleeping in order to come to the events | Brazos Bend 100 km| Needville, TX, USA | 2018-04-07 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| Family affair crewing - even if in the womb | River Valley Revenge 100 mi | Edmonton, AB, Canada | 2018-06-16 | Photo: Brenda Shaughnessy |
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| 3rd daughter coming to say hi during aid stop | Brazos Bend 100 mi | Needville, TX, USA | 2018-12-08 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| Crossing the finish line for the victory & course record with my 3 oldest daughters | Running the Rose 108 km | Tyler, TX, USA | 2019-01-28 | Photo: Katie Meding |
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| My 3 oldest daughters cheering me on at the start | Jackalope Jam 24 hr | Cat Spring, TX, USA | 2019-02-23 | Photo: Katie Meding |
To me it is pretty simple. I started this journey 3 years ago this March in order to lose some weight regain fitness, and try and feel better about myself and how i was being perceived by my 2 daughters at the time (who were 3 & 1). Here we are now in 2019 and I have continued down the path of endurance for myself and probably just as importantly for my family and to provide my daughters (now 4 of them) a good role model. I know that showing them how to persevere during something that is extremely hard and seeing it through will provide some good lessons, whether they see it now or not. The simple act of my oldest daughter writing that simple little explanation of the best part of herself validates every single thing I have done over this journey. I will continue to push myself and explore what is possible. I will succeed at times, and I will fail as well, but in the end I will show my daughters that no matter what sometimes just doing the hard work is what matters. All of the above are the reason i tag all my Instagram posts with
#ultrarunningdad. Those little smiles whether there in person, over the phone, or a voicemail or video left for me to check during an aid stations stop mean everything to me. Thank you to my wife, Katie, who is my biggest supporter, and thank you to my 4 little inspirations: you all drive me more than you know!
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| My self designed logo. Disclaimer: I am not a graphic artist |
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| My favorite cheer team | Jackalope Jam 24 hr | Cat Spring, TX, USA | 2019-02-23 | Photo: Katie Meding |
So why do you do what you do? What inspires you? Find your why!
Thank you as well to my awesome supporters this season!
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