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Bennie Drain: Why I Run
I went to the Palm Beach Roadrunner site and saw the article, Why do I run? The reason why I run is because, it's something that I enjoy and no one can take it away from me. I started running in elementary school as a 5th grader, then on to middle school as a sprinter. Today, I still hold the 75 yard dash and the 200 yard dash records as a 7th grader. I went on to Battle Creek Central High School (Class of 1987) in Battle Creek Michigan, MI as a 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter and 4x100 meter relay runner. Today, I still hold the 100 meter dash and 4x100 meter relay records. My 200 meter record was broken just recently. I qualified for the state finals from 1985-87 in high school for all 3 events. I attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI earning a 4 year track scholarship to run the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 4x100 relay and 4x400 relay. I graduated in 1991 with my Bachelors degree, worked as a head coach for a middle school and then as the sprint coach for a high school. I moved to Florida in 1999 to find out, that I can run all year round and not worry about snow and 20 below zero weather, so I changed gears (got older) and started running long distance and have been running ever since. I have competed in 3 half-marathons and numerous 5k, 10k, 10milers, etc. Running to me is a way to a healthy life style. I love the high that it gives me and the satisfaction knowing that I'm doing something I enjoy and that it is good for me. Running brings me peace of mind, happiness and it relaxes me. People ask me why do I put my body through all the pain and suffering? I tell them, you have to be in my world to understand it and how it feels. I'm 38 years old and I see people running who are in their 70's and 80's and as long as the good Lord keeps me on this earth, I will continue to run. I have met some really great people and made many friends and if it wasn't for those Wednesday night runners at Palm Beach Lakes High School, I wouldn't be in the shape I'm in today or enjoy running as much as I do. The Palm Beach Roadrunners are a great bunch of people! I have to give thanks to two people who really motivated me to start competing in races and introduced me to the Florida way of running. I would like to thank George Ortega, because he used to kick my butt all the time in the 5k runs and I could never beat him. He would pass me all the time and say, "keep it up, you are doing a good job", and then he would take off and leave. I trained and trained and trained and finally got him at the Ibis 5k run later that year. I give a big thanks to my coach and good friend Kara Weber, who has been an inspiration to me and trained with me to become the runner that I am. Our Monday tempo runs and our Saturday Juno runs have been the key for me. Kara is a great coach at the high school she works for and I see her as my coach as well. I see the influence you have on your students. THANKS COACH! I give all my love and thanks to my mother Luetisha Drain Gray and my father Bennie Drain Jr. who have supported me throughout my running career. Both my parents ran in high school along with my sister Tiffiny and my brother Eric. My family (Grandparents and my Aunt Cookie) were my coaches, my captains and my cheerleaders. THANKS FAMILY! Why do I run? It's what I do, and it's my world. Thank You. Bennie Drain
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