Like every Monday, I was out running around the city at noon. I should have probably been at lunch, but it was a ritual I had no desire to break. A silver MP3 Player squeezed in my right hand, and a set of keys jingling with each step in the left. It was overcast and windy. Starring straight forward I focused on each breath: In, Out, In, Out, In, Out and I listened in to the rhythm of cars whizzing by.

It wasn't unusual to feel my body beg for me to stop, and by now I had learned to push the pain away and press on. This after all, was why I was running in the first place. I fed off this regimen of pain like some sort of crazed drug addict.

For me at least, distance running represents who I am. Its an expression of emotion like playing a musical instrument, and when the moment is right each step brings an air of self discovery and triumph. Years ago I made a personal creed, "Push yourself until you can't move another step, then double what you have already done."

It's all about reaching true Runner's High, something not everyone can do. It takes much more than a good set of legs, it takes something deep inside you to fuel your trip to get there. And although no one is fueled by the same things, whatever they are, its coupled by a burning passion to never stop.

I often choose to run around the city rather than a track for a number of reasons, perhaps one of those reasons is more prominent than the others. You see I don't run just for myself. I run for everyone. Just maybe, theres one person that looks over at me and thinks "Maybe I can do that too.", and when they get home, they tie their shoes and head out around the neighborhood.

If I had to explain what true Runner's High is for me, I guess I would say it's like being set free. When it hits, The pain disappears and I'm not running anymore, I'm flying. So if you are out there and someone just like me hangs out their window as they drive by to cheer you on. Remember that we don't hold any grudge when neither your stride or determined stare break rhythm to stop and wave back.