Dearest Running,

It certainly was not love at first sight between us. In fact, it was much the opposite. I thought you were dull, redundant and, quite frankly, disgusting. You thought I was close-minded and selfish. To be completely honest, we were both right. Despite our preconceptions, we both decided to take a chance on each other, and the outcome was utterly beautiful.

From the very start, you tested my limits. In the most literal sense, you took my breath away. Initially, I was skeptical about my choice to pursue such a committed relationship. However, you slowly but surely convinced me to look past the burning feeling in my muscles and showed me the endless benefits of going steady with you. You had me do things I previously never would have imagined myself doing, and therefore I accomplished the unthinkable. I thank you from the bottom of my heart that you did not give up on me when I wanted so badly to give up on you.

Although most of the issues in our relationship have admittedly been because of my wrongdoings, the abuse is not always one-sided. In the past, you hurt me as well. There are moments where you hurt me to the point that my legs go completely numb and all feeling leaves my feet entirely. There are days that you do things to my body that flat out scare me. But, we’re working through it. In the face of all of these things, I would still not trade you for the world.

Thank you for being nothing but completely and entirely honest with me. The time on my watch does not lie to me. Without a doubt, I get out of our relationship exactly what I put into it. When I begin slack, I see a reflection in my performance. When I put in extra effort, I am always pleasantly rewarded. You have taught me so much about perseverance and holding myself accountable,

Our relationship is founded on a combination of blood, sweat, tears, dedication, cooperation and patience. Every time I have made an attempt to push you away, you have never been angry with me (although, you do remind me of my mistake after my first long run back). Each time I believed that I was unlacing my spikes for the very last time, you found a way to reappear into my life and make yourself prominent at the most opportune times. You always bring me back in with open arms, and remind me that you are never (ever) leaving.

Thank you for long days, short days, hard days, stormy days, sweaty days, snowy days, off-road days and all of the in-between days. You are truly a gift, and I am eternally grateful for the impact that you have had on my life thus far. Here’s to many more years of pushing each other to the extreme, my love.

Yours truly,

Anna