Dear running,

We've been together for a while now. I logged my first run four years ago, on Nov. 11. I ran my first race ten days later - a little 2.75 mile Turkey Trot. I ran it in 30:28. I came in 33rd out of 36. The three people I beat were all walking, but I was hooked.

I've never broken up with you, but we have had a rocky relationship. My brain exploded, then a bad sprain and a bum knee all kept me off the roads.

I wanted to thank you for all you've done for me. I've gotten to know my neighborhood in a way that you just don't when you're in the car. You've gotten me out on pretty days and in rotten weather. I've been able to find success with you even when other things in my life aren't going so well.

Thanks to you, running, I've learned things about myself.

I'm really competitive. I never would have thought of myself that way, but it's true. In running, I mostly compete with myself (except that one time when I won my age group), but that doesn't make it any less fierce. It's killing me that I'm not going to be able to Shave my 5k time this year, but I'd rather be running than push it, injure myself again, and have to quit.

I'm also pretty stubborn.  Well, I knew that.  What I didn't know was how firmly self-motivated I am.  The research all says that people who run with other folks are more likely to sustain it.  Most people do run with others, at least some of the time.  Yet, I have never had a running partner.  Partly because I'm too shy, I've never gone on a group run hosted by my local running stores.  I haven't joined the local running club. I run alone.  

You have also brought other joys.  Gadgets.  Nerdy research.  The best running tights ever.  I've learned that tourism is much more fun when you're a runner.  You get to see the sights completely differently.  

Most of all, running, you make me feel alive.  I want to thank you for that.