Dear Running,
I’m thankful that I found you. I’m thankful for the obvious reasons, and the not so obvious reasons.
Dear Running, I’m thankful for the sense of well being that I almost always get after a run, whether the run was good or bad. You give me the energy to get on with my day and you make me a nicer person too.
Dear Running, I’m thankful for all the friends you’ve brought into my life. Almost 10 years ago I moved to a city where I knew no one, except for Mr. Judy, of course. My circle of friends is still small, but without running, making new friends would have been even more difficult.
Dear Running, I’m thankful for all the friends I’ve made not just all over the country, but all over the world. Running and blogging has put me in touch with some incredible women — and men. We may live in different countries, time zones, and cultures, but running brings us all together and shows us that we’re not so different after all.
Dear Running, I’m thankful for all the places you’ve taken me to. Everywhere I go, you are there for me. You are the best way to explore new places; except for maybe food tours. I just had a light bulb moment! We need running food tours. Need. Feel free to run with that idea.
Dear Running, I’m thankful for all the things you’ve taught me about my body. You’ve taught me to listen closely to it: to back off when I’m pushing too much, to push harder when I’m reaching for new goals, to take rest so that I can push harder, to fuel my body with the right foods, to seek out help when something doesn’t feel right.
Dear Running, I’m thankful for the confidence you give me every time I tackle a new goal: a new distance, faster speedwork than I thought I could do, races over terrain I thought I couldn’t handle. Every time I take on a new challenge and come through the other side triumphant, my confidence increases.
Dear Running, I’m thankful that you allow me to enjoy a little more food than I might if I didn’t run. I won’t lie — while food isn’t the only reason I run, not by a long shot, it’s nice to know I can indulge every once in a while because I’ve worked my body hard courtesy of you, running.
Dear Running, you are not an easy companion. Too often it seems you break me down to build me up. While you give me energy, you also make me tired. You demand time away from my loved ones. And sometimes you really do break my heart. In the end, though, I’m thankful that you came into my life. You have brought far more into my life than you have taken from it.
This week I am also joining up with Running on Happy, Suzlyfe, Crazy Running Girl, and Coach Debbie Runs each week for the Coaches’ Corner linkup
What has Running brought you that you’re thankful for?
What else are you thankful for today?
This post made me smile. 🙂 I can relate to so many of your reasons to be thankful for running. Especially the fact that it gives me confidence that translates into everything else in my life. I’m glad you found running, Judy!
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Thanks, Megan — better late than never, eh?
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I don’t know where I’d be without running. Nowhere good, that’s for sure!
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Nothing like a good run to “run”off the stress, eh?
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I agree with all of the above. Except a running food tour might make me sick. :p
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Typically you don’t eat a whole lot at each stop on a foot tour. And you wouldn’t be racing. Seriously, I think it would be a ton of fun!
Just think, they do beer miles, after all (yuck!).
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Same here. I agree with all.
It’s something to look forward to after a long tedious day at work.
And the bling. I have more medals than jewelry.
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The bling seriously doesn’t really excite me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a good medal, but it’s just incidental to the other things I look for in a race.
And since I never win AG awards, I have far more jewelry than bling. 🙂
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I much prefer usual swag than medals. My favorite AG awards were gift cards, champagne, a pie LOL
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Probably the pie & champagne wouldn’t move me, but gift cards would always be welcome. 🙂
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I’m thankful that running brought us together. ❤ ❤ ❤
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I’m just sorry it’s been so long since we’ve been able to get together. They dangled Monterey in front of us yet again this year, but nope, it didn’t happen. 😦
I had half a mind to just go anyway, but the prices on the hotels that weekend are insane because of the conference!
Someday I’ll do a half in CA, but it could be Socal. I think I need to do one both south & north. 🙂
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I love that running has brought me way more self-confidence than I ever thought I would have! Plus, it’s taken me to places I never thought I would see, much less run in. 🙂 And, the eating is a definitely bonus!
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Yup, yup & yup!
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Great post! I definitely relate to a lot of these and while running isn’t an easy companion at times, I’m always thankful that I’ve added it to my life 🙂 I guess the challenge is part of its charm!
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This post gave me the warm fuzzies… I don’t think I could love it any more!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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Ah,thanks!
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great letter!!! running has absolutely changed the direction and tone of my life
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I know, right? Isn’t it weird how we start running for one reason, yet that ends up not being important in the long “run”, oftentimes.
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Running has definitely taught me to listen to my body. I had to push through injuries in high school and college since the seasons were short. Now I can take my time, and there’s no pressure to get back out there.
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It’s nice that you don’t feel pressure to run. I can’t say it’s always that way for me, but most of the time, it’s not a bad thing.
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Glad you made friends through running. It’s definitely a spectacular treat.
The Fitness Bro
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Absolutely!
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Oh this is great I love it! I am so very thankful for all of the friends I have made both in person and blogging friends. Chatting with you all everyday has changed my life. I love the little blogging community we all share. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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Right back at ya, Deborah! Have a fantastic Thanksgiving. I hope your family knows how lucky they are to have all your creative cooking skills!
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I will make sure to remind them! 🙂
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Love this! And I’d have fun with a running ‘wine’ tasting tour! 🙂
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There is actually a group here that does a wine tasting run. 🙂
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Oh wow! If I ever make it up your way, I’ll have to do that!
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I’ve never actually done it. They’re fun runs, but so far i haven’t attended them.
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Running has really allowed me to connect with fellow runners and bloggers. If it wouldn’t be for my love of running I would have not met some of the wonderful friends I have today.
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My circle of local friends would definitely be much smaller without running. All my friends are runners!
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Awwww 😉 This is such a nice, heart-felt tribute to the sport we all love (well, we love it most of the time). I love all the wonderful running peeps I wouldn’t have the pleasure of knowing if I didn’t run.
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If it weren’t for running, I don’t know if I would’ve met anyone here! Well, I would have met people, but making friends is harder.
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Yes to all of this. Running has brought me so much, even if sometimes it drives me a bit insane.
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Nothing’s perfect, right?
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I agree with all these. It took me forever to make friends in New Hampshire, but running was the main factor that helped me out.
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Making friends in New England is HARD! At least it was when I lived in VT.
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