I've been thinking a lot lately about the Bill of Rights, the document that set us apart as a nation from the rest of the world. It secures Americans' right to free speech, freedom of assembly, and other Constitutional protections. Inspired, I developed my own Runner's Bill of Rights, for runners of all sizes and faiths, and of course, speeds.

1. The Right to Run

This is a runners' God-given right. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson: as runners, we take this truth to be self-evident, and that running is our birthright as long as the exercise of this right does not infringe on the lawns of our neighbors or traffic in our neighborhoods.

2. The Right to Run Free of Harassment

It used to bother me that ordinary folks would point and giggle when I ran down the street on a training run or finished way back in a 5K or 10K. Runners of all shapes and sizes have the right to run free of harassment that includes whistles, catcalls or suggestive remarks while training and racing.

3. The Right to Be Selfish

If I'm training for a specific race, I have the right to be selfish with my time. This is a difficult right to assert, as family members, friends; jobs and other commitments have sneaky ways to interfere with the training calendar. My advice is to let people far and wide know of your training goals: more often than not they will be very supportive if you tell them of that big race. Just don't forget to take out the garbage or do the dishes.

4. The Right to Wear Anything I Want

I've been chided for wearing mis-matched socks, tee shirts and shorts that would certainly get me on Blackwell's Worst Dressed List. Like orange shorts with grey socks (two different shades), and an olive drab tee shirt. My daughter calls my last- minute racing ensembles fashion emergencies, and my wife would prefer not to be seen in public when I should be in the Fashion ER. Respectfully to both of them, I say: tough.

5. The Right to Nearly Any Post-Race Indulgence

While I am changing my diet with the help of Northwest Runner's own Heather Nakamura, I still will reward myself with postrace indulgences that many others would find, frankly, offensive. If you see me with a post-race Black and Tan at the St. Paddy's Day Dash with some bangers and mash, extra butter, please note that I've earned those calories that day.

6. The Right to Eat Anything I Want

Even though my training table's changed dramatically due to Heather earlier, I'm not going to starve myself. In fact, I will do my best to balance my old dietary indiscretions with new habits, but as I've said in these pages before, old habits die hard.

7. Freedom of Speed (Or, freedom From Speed)

I have the freedom to run at any speed. Before you ring up Editor Martin Rudow, that's not a misprint. I have the right to run at any speed, given the proper training, education, and preparation. At my size and weight, I'll trail local speedsters like Judy Fisher or John O'Hearn, but it's nice to know that I have the right to catch them if I can. On the other hand, I know that it's often best that I amble toward the far right when I've being lapped (again) by the field.

8. The Right to Walk

I have the right to stop running and walk, either in training or during a race. This may be controversial, but I understand that I can exercise this right as long is it does not impede other runners. For more information, see the children's book "Ferdinand the Bull." Ferdinand would have rather stopped and ate the daisies than run with his friends. I can relate.

9. The Right to Free Expression of Religion

As I rejoin the Northwest Runner community after a couple of years of injuries, it's an act of faith that often propels me down the course and across the finish line. If you should see me yell "Oh God" along the course, I'd appreciate it if you'd cheer me on. I'm probably amazed that I got that far, or am in desperate need of medical help.

10. The Right to Dream

I've been a confirmed non-runner for more than half of my adult life. With each birthday that I have, I hope to have more years on the planet as a runner than as a couch potato. I didn't start actively running until my mid-20s. Running has helped me realize several long-held dreams of mine, including two marathon finishes, as well as long and leisurely runs in many of our country's finest cities, including Seattle, San Francisco, Boston, Memphis, Nashville, and Portland. For runners, few experiences can match a city at ground level on the run.

There you have it. If you have your own truths that are self- evident to runners, please share them with me at ericrichd@aol.com