On the run

Today I'm celebrating the first running of the Boston Marathon in 1897, inspired by the marathon at the first modern Olympics Games in Athens earlier in 1896.

I'm definitely not going to compete in the Boston Marathon, the local Cowtown Marathon or any footrace. However, I feel that I'm a very avid runner. After all, I have a lot of experience in running:

• In my early career, I found many bugs while running test cases
  
• As an programmer, I spent a lot of time running the code
  
• For pageants, I create the running order
  
• I can often be found on a headset running the show
  
• While stuck in a six-hour gas line after Hurricane Katrina with my cousin, we never felt that we were running out of stories to tell each other
  
• Back on the farm, it's fun to hear that we'll be running to town
  
• After cooking a large meal for guests, I'm running the dishwasher several times
  
• Last week I answered the phone, missing loading all the clothes for the wash cycle while the washing machine was running
  
• I spend my time on many Saturdays running errands
  
• I no longer have the task of running the vacuum with my new floors
  
• It feels like I've been running in circles trying to fix my icemaker
  
• It seems that I'm too often running a little behind schedule
  
• I'm running with the pack of employees trying to stay employed until retirement
  
• I regretfully am guilty of locking my keys in the car while the engine was running
  
• Thankfully, my little brother came running at my call for help
  
• My Mom cautioned me as a teenager about the dangers of running with the wrong crowd
  
• I've been the unlucky one to take a cold shower because those before me were running the hot water too long
  
• I once barely made it to the gas station, running the car on empty
  
• I wonder if the parents in the neighborhood know where their kids are -- they seem to always be running the streets
  
• When I'm home for the holidays, on most days I'm running to the grocery store
  
• My neighbor once did not think anything was wrong, even though two guys were seen with my stolen electronics wrapped in sheets, running across her yard
  
• I'm too often concerned about running out of money if I get to retire (foolishly forgetting that I need not worry, remembering the lilies in the field)
  
• Scheduling events for a group is sometimes challenging, running down my friends to discuss availability
  
• I try to make wise decisions while running the risks
  
• I rarely have a cold, but I endure it, running its course
  
• Time is running out on several nice coupons I recently received
  
• I'm running out of reasons why I'm not riding the bike more often
  
• I would have missed one flight, but a colleague told the flight attendant that I was running through the airport
  
• I am often reminded that my computer has been running too long
  
• I have several friends who are faithful -- and will come running when needed
  
• By the end of the weekend, it felt like I was running out of steam
  
• I'm almost running out of patience with the repairs due by my gas company
  
• I often worry about who is running our country
  
  It occurred to me that people spend a lot of time running. So many we know are running ahead of their bills, running out of money, running for their lives, running from their problems, and simply running away. We hear of others who are obsessed with running to meet short-term and long-term goals, but seemingly missing the joys of life along the way. Many are running so hard, just to keep up with the Jones' too. I recently saw an interesting statement:
  All men should strive to learn before they die, what they are running from, and to, and why.
  
  I recently heard a nice song by No Doubt that you may enjoy. However, for those who seem to be running with no purpose or running astray, Reuben Studdard sings a song that may bring hope today.
  
  Photo credit: Associated Press, 2009