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Why Should I Run? by Stephanie Best
Run for Fun by Sam
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Why should I run? Someone might query If you've never tried it, you might be quite leery. Whether you run long and slow Or sprint short and fast The benefits of running are things that will last. Your legs will be strong Your lungs will be too You'll be quicker and tougher at all things you do! When you run really hard, You sleep well at night, You can eat lots of food with your big appetite. Running is simple All it takes is two feet You can run where you are or on any old street. You can run fully clothed Or practically bare You can run singly, in groups, or as part of a pair. You don't need a ball, or a bat or a mitt. You just need good shoes that feel like they fit. You can run in the rain, You can run when it's windy, But running in sunshine is by far the most trendy. You'll run miles and miles, You can go really far, The things you'll see running you could miss in a car.  Shane Culpepper, Regina Jacobs, Stephanie (right) Victory Stand, 1999 Photo RW 1999 National Champs But win, lose or draw you'll be better for trying. Competition is fun as part of a team, You can all work together to accomplish a dream. The friends that you'll make are really great people. They'll cheer for you every lap of the steeple. They'll still be your friends if you fall out of the blocks, Or jump start the gun, or wear the wrong socks. They'll be there on days when you're tired or lazy, When you don't feel like running because the sky is too hazy. The friends I've made running are the best part. It's why I'm still running and why you should start! Career highlights: Third place finish at the 1990 NCAA Championships in a top 10 all-time Collegiate times of 4:09 for 1500m 1996 Indoor National Champion in the mile Second at the National Championships in 1999 at 1500m, member of 1999 US World Champioship team in Seville, Spain Third place in 1999 Pan Am Games 1500m Right now Stephanie is preparing for the outdoor track season with goals of qualifying for the World Championships in Canada (Edmonton) and Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia. LINKS Contact people are Editor, KidsRunning.Com rwedit@rodale.com and Mark Springer, Director of Grass Roots Programs, USATF mark.springer@usatf.org Prizes for the kick off theme have been donated by USATF, Runner's World, and KidsRunning.Com. Rich Kenah has donated 2 poster sized photos as well as his USATF and Olympic Pins to the Grand Prize Raffle.
  
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Editor's Note: Running and writing are more fun when they are combined. Warm up for our upcoming contest. Lace up your running shoes and get out the door. Start up slowly, then pick up the pace and have a great run. Cool down, drink and stretch, then break out that running journal and let 'er rip!
