Dear Running
Photo by Simon Wisbey
This weekend marks two years since our love affair first began. Little did I know where you’d take me. What a journey we’ve been on.
The very first time I tried you, I hated you. Seriously. With a deep, burning passion. I wondered why so many sung your praises. You made my lungs burn, my heart pound and every part of my body ache. You wouldn’t let me master you for more than a couple of minutes without me having to stop and go back to my old friend, walking. But I see now, I see what you were trying to do. You were trying to break me. Without me even realising, you were teaching me lessons. Oh Running, you and your Jedi mind tricks. You got me. Because rather than say ‘screw you!’ which is what I wanted to say, somewhere inside me, I had a deep urge to prove to myself that I could get my head around you, that I could one day be good at you. And so, we began.
Our 6am outings in the rain, under cover of darkness were some special moments. While no one was there, no one was looking, you pushed me, forced me to get uncomfortable, push, pant, wheeze, curse, sweat, hobble. Each time, we got a little further, my mind got a little clearer, my soul got a little happier.
We haven’t always gotten along. That time you caused great injury to my buttock, leading to a rather embarrassing ass massage, for example, was not good times. Or in marathon training where we had to go so far you exhausted every bit of me, reducing me to tears regularly. And yet, I couldn’t quit you. You had become my Dalai Lama meets Oprah. You were teaching me so much. I was shedding layers and stepping into who I was supposed to be.
You have given me a sense of self believe, a drive and focus I’ve never had before.
You’ve provided a sanctuary and escape when everything else was a little too overwhelming.
You’ve shown me that I’m much stronger than I think I am and capable of much more.
You pulled me out of the depths of depression.
You’ve taught me to be disciplined, patient, driven and calm.
You introduced me to the love of my life and some of the best friends I’ve ever known.
You’ve taken me to Paris, Berlin, San Francisco and New York to enjoy your awesomeness in those glorious cities.
You made me think about my body completely differently, giving me a new found respect for my heart, lungs, muscles, my long limbs, strong core and bodacious ass.
You ignited an uncontrollable cult-like mission within me to inspire as many women as possible to embrace fitness in a positive way.
Through the blisters, pulled muscles, lost toenails and red-faced, sweaty, medal-swinging glory of it all, you birthed a new me. Somewhere in amongst all that, you helped me lay some demons to rest.
I’d say thank you, but it doesn’t seem enough. I wish I’d met you sooner, but I know you came along at just the right time. What the past two years would’ve been like without you in my life doesn’t even bear thinking about.
Oh running, I think you and I were meant to be.
Smooches,
Bangs
xoxo
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