A runner isn’t just an athlete in Nike shoes. Running away or running out of words are universal phenomenon. Hearts run brains, as much as other people often run our lives. Even sentences can stretch out by running-on. People run away from themselves, afraid to confront their fears. As fall begins, and the days of summer run out even as those running for office take the national stage at the conventions, it’s tempting to consider running away to someplace else. These SMITH users have their own take on running, so run wild with their memoirs below. And as ultramarather Dean Karnazes reminded us in the first book of Six-Word Memoirs, “When all else fails, start running.”

Training run before the city’s awake.
– DynamicDbytheC

Feeling invisible. Everyone runs into me.
– maryjane31

Fingers running wild on the keyboard!
– Heem08

I want to run from myself.
– kikimiko

By running away I discovered myself.
– Miche

I’ve recently run out of words.
– Believe

Heart is running my brain now.
– livinginmymind

Veins running down wrists like tattoos.
– FaeNotMyName

Run-on sentences come to rolling stops.
– tonyglim

Running in place awaiting close date.
– jene2008

In my dreams I run wild.
– Level1

Running from lust, Love caught me.
– MSKIASWAY

Running out of distractions to heartache.
– 1111

If only you knew, you’d run.
– Amapola

Running from parents, we became parents.
– Mikuluk

Fear runs deep, hope runs deeper.
– Colywog

Slow runner, slow learner, fast lover.
– songwriter

Sing. Dance. Swear. Linger. Smile. Run.
– firefly15

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Steve.Gamer32.