A Love Letter to Running

To my dearest life partner Running,

Your mere presence has the power to set my heart aflame (as well as my lungs and quads). I cherish the moments we spend together whether it is in the early hours of the morn’ or our shared evenings.

You have been there for me through thick and thin. Being around you is simply intoxicating (literally due to endorphins). You were my high school sweetheart, one could say. After all, I did leave prom early just for you. (Others may laugh at this, but I had a race the next day.) You gave me a reason to push myself further than I could ever imagine. We have seen the world together. With you as my companion, I have traveled across lands and seas, crossed deserts, navigated canyons, forged rivers, and summited mountains. 

I am not so idealistic to say it was love at first sight with you. When I - like so many others who have fallen for your siren's call - first met you, you were abrasive and to be honest, I could hardly be with you for more than five minutes. But slowly, you eased. Though in the beginning I found this introduction tedious and annoying, I realize now, earning your love has made our relationship all the more meaningful. 

We have had our ups and downs. At times, one could describe our relationship as toxic and borderline abusive. To be fair, many of our problems stemmed from me. I was obsessed with you for a time. I thought if I sacrificed everything for you that you would give me the world in return. And when you failed to meet my expectations I lashed out at you - declared you selfish and ungrateful. When you broke me (broke my sacrum to be exact); I wondered if our relationship could go on. But I realize now the way I acted was not fair - to you or to me. You never owed me anything and I never owed you anything. We were never the same entity as I naively imagined. I am me, and though you are a large part of my life, you do not define me. Though our low points were rough, overcoming them has helped me grow as a person.

Here’s to many more years of adventures, existential realizations, and unforgettable moments!

Love,

Mason (mcoppi44)

P.S. No one tell my girlfriend I wrote this. She will get very jealous.