I'm often asked by people why I run so much (I've completed 10 Marathons & have run the Boston Marathon 4 time). There is no simple answer to this - so I've decided to create a series of iReports that include pictures from some of my favorite long runs (They say pictures are worth a 1,000 words). The iReport assignment “Autumn Leaves 2012” seemed to be a very good category to put these pictures in because the Autumn theme helps convey the beauty, peace, tranquility and freedom I feel when I run.

These pictures were taken Oct 21 along the Delaware & Raritan Canal in NJ during a long training run. This canal, built in 1830, was used by boats to transport goods from the Delaware River to the Raritan River giving them a faster route from Pennsylvania to NY. It is about 60 miles long and has a dirt trail running alongside of it. I've been using this trail for runs and bike rides for years, hopping on and off at different points along the way depending on my mood and the length of run I need to do.

There are at least 2 more segments in this series. All carry a similar theme - the pictures will be taken during a long training run using my iPhone (which I always run with for safety sakes & for the music). I know where they will be taken from, but you'll have to check back in (or follow me on CNNs iReport site) in order to find out where and see the segments.

CNN iReport "Why I Run... Part 1" is filed here: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-854381