Why I Run - Carrie Marshall Anderson

There are a hundred reasons why I could say I run. I like to stay in shape, it is cheaper than the gym, to tune out the world, to enjoy a big dinner or an extra drink at happy hour or just to feel athletic again. Those reasons, always come and go depending on the day. But one reason never changes. I run for my friend, Payton. I run to remember her. When I run, I often think of her. My fondest memory, the one that leaves me most grateful, is from the week we first met as college freshman. Little known fact, because of Payton, I am a college graduate. I have hated school since the beginning of time and college classes were no different. I missed being home with my family and making friends for the first time, without the crutch of teammates, had proven difficult. That spring, I had decided not to enroll in fall semester and was planning how to delicately disappoint my parents by telling them that college was not for me. That is, until Payton, with her larger than life heart, and spontaneous whim, invited me to go camping. We had known each other less than a week and she wanted to share a tent in the woods. Very trusting, to say the least. That weekend, I had a great time and I made friends that I hold dear to this day. It turned my year around, and those friendships are the reason I returned to school and stayed…until I graduated. On that day, I barely knew Payton, but she knew better than most, how to be a friend. For that reason, I will always run for her.

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