Dear Running,
It’s hard to believe this is our 7th Valentine’s Day together! My, how things have changed since that first year. You’ve been there for me through all the ups and downs, and I don’t just mean the rolling hills around my house and on the many race courses we’ve conquered together over the years. You’ve stuck with me through marriage, divorce, and a new marriage. We’ve earned medals together in 37 states and 3 countries. It has been the best of times and the worst of times, but it has always been you and me, together.
I think what I love the most about you is that you never lie to me. Our relationship always mirrors the effort I put in. If I don’t fuel our relationship with the right foods or take care of myself by getting enough sleep, you make sure to let me know. At the same time, if I am doing the right things and training hard, you’re the first to reflect my progress. I know I can count on you to always give me an honest assessment of what I’m doing right and wrong.
You protect me, too. You keep my heart and lungs strong and my muscles working. When I’m overdoing it, you always send me some warning aches and pains to let me know I’m doing too much - sorry about all the times I’ve ignored those, by the way. You protect my mind by helping keep stress at bay and clearing my head when the problems of the day seem too much to bear. You improve my attitude and level me out; come to think of it, you protect my family, too!
You have given me a reason to visit new places and see new things, a reason to meet new people, and a place where I feel like I belong. I’ve joined clubs centered around you, made life-long friends, and visited so many places I probably would never have seen (Fargo, anyone?) all because of you! Most importantly, you’ve pushed me past the limits of where I thought I could ever go athletically, personally, and in life. The success I have found through our relationship has helped me to believe that I have the power to succeed in any are of my life that I choose – and that’s never something I believed before. Thank you for giving me the power to be my best self and live my best life.
Thank you for teaching me how to be myself. I love you.
Love,
Danielle
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