I was talking to my dad the other day about the stupid things people in cars do to runners as they pass us along the road. I had my war stories of people yelling inappropriate things out the window, people I don’t know aggressively honking and waving, cars not stopping in designated cross walks and almost killing me, etc. My dad shared one story, though I know he has many more. He told me a teenage boy “hollered” at him as he was running by mockingly asking “hey old man, why are you running?” My dad simply answered “because I can”. At the time I didn’t really respond to my dad, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the statement and how powerful it really is. “Because I can” is such a great message that can resonate with so many people.

My dad could have quit running long ago when he and my mom were raising 4 kids and working around 60 hours a week. He could have quit running when my mom was going through multiple cancer diagnoses. He could have quit after suffering multiple running injuries, burnouts, and years without many great races. But he kept on going. Now, at 56 years old, he’s still competing at a high level. I see myself doing the same thing. Very cool, Dad!

My dad recent and high school. Photos courtesy of my dad's buddy, Larry Herrett.

What crazy things have you heard on a run? What does “because I can” mean to you?