Foreword:

Most people think I am nuts, and have no clue why I would choose to put my body through it. No clue why I choose to wake up before the sun, or why I choose to stay in on a Friday night, or why I can’t walk without a limp like 60% of my life. I have loved running for so long, and I love what it represents in people’s lives. It means something different to everyone. Hopefully this will help you understand what is in my head, but more importantly what is in my heart.

My dearest Running,

You are my first and longest love affair. I fell in love with you when I was a child. My long legs would take me places faster because of you, and everything was an adventure. As I have gotten older and wiser, I crave to be with you for as long as possible. So I can unspool the tangles in my brain. Nothing in this world gives me peace, like you do. You make me feel like all my problems are small and that I can conquer the world. I pride myself on never stopping, no matter what obstacles I come across in my life, you make me feel like I am stronger. I guess you help me run away from them, the problems that is. No matter how slow or fast I run the miles, you always make me feel better.

You make me appreciate my body. You have been around for as long as I have been sick, and you always remind me how strong I am. That my mind can conquer anything that my body doesn’t. You make me realize what I am capable of. I will never forget the time I ran my first official “mile” on the cross country course. I felt like I was seeing thousands of black birds in the sky. I was so tired I thought I was going to throw-up. That was the beginning. Its funny looking back on how far we have come together. The places we have been. I started off barely being able to run a mile, and now I want to do 100 milers and travel to every continent to be with you. The feeling I get when I am done with a long run is unlike any feeling in the world. I start off, and I am full of all of my worries and the heaviness of my career, and the burdens of the people I love. When I am finished, my body is empty. There is something so visceral about feeling so empty. I can know that I gave my whole body and soul to you every week, and I walk away with a clear mind and a stronger reliance.

I wreck my body for you. I honestly don’t even understand how it is possible to enjoy the torture of your legs feeling like concrete and your lungs being on fire, but I do. I love to see how far I can push myself, how much I can hurt and still keep going. It's not a punishment, I do it because I love my body so much, I want to see the limits that it can reach. I don’t want to wake up when I am 60 years old and never have broke through that wall to see the beauty of running with your heart and soul. I want to train so hard that when I cross the finish line of a race, I shed a tear for all of the sacrifice I have made for you. The best part about all of this is that I get to share my love for you with others. I get to run in tandem with my sister and help others feel the power of your love.

I hope there never comes a day where I cannot give you all of my love, because you have given me so much more than you will ever understand. You have given me power and discipline. Most importantly, you have given me the ability to see no limits on what I can do in this world. I can do whatever I decide to give my heart to. That is beautiful, the most beautiful gift someone can give.

I hope I get to pass on this gift for as long as I live, because you deserve that. I love what you do for me, and I love the look of hope I see in a new runner’s eyes when they begin their journey. They don’t know what they are getting themselves into. They will be in a love affair for the rest of their life. I am excited to see where you take me in this world.

I love you with all of my miles,

-B

P.S. You could try to cut back on the amount of hunger I feel after a long run. Thanks in advance!