An open letter to Running

Dear Running,
We've had a great relationship over the past few years. Back in 2008 when I decided I would run the Chicago Marathon, you were there for me and you came through big time, the first time I broke 4 hours. I realized you had more to offer me then and I took you seriously that spring and our relationship deepened as we went for the PR- hitting 3:42 at the Albany marathon and a BQ. Despite the sickness I dealt with last winter, you waited patiently until I was well and we churned out another sub 4 through Boston's Newton hills. You've been a great go to friend. When I have a stressful day you help me clear my head, when I have an excess of energy, you are there to help me manage it. The closest I have come to feeling like a super woman is when we hit that blissful runners high together. You have helped me grieve, celebrate milestones, feel invincible, sort out some problems, think straight. I've enjoyed your company on the roads, trails, treadmill, snow and the beach. I can take you anywhere! I look forward to future travels and new milestones, particularly after our second and most likely last 26.2 miler in a couple of weeks. We weren't always the closest of friends. Way back when, you were a way to hold off 'the freshman 15'. I hated you that first mile around the hilly Ithaca campus. I tolerated you slowly after that, mostly when you became the pre/post warm up and warm down from crew practice. When collegiate rowing came to an end you didn't mind being the tail end of the swim- bike- run thing I started up. For many years I dreaded you coming off the bike. We survived most of those races and there were many times you wanted me to quit running while finishing up the Ironman's we did together but it wasn't until 2008 that I looked forward to you off the bike. Marathon helped us grow closer. Today is the last longer training run I will do before the big dance in a couple of weeks and after that? I look forward to a new direction. I hope you can get along well with swim and bike. I hope you will form a new partnership with row. I look forward to spending more time with you on trails and seeing how fast we can go together on the dirt for trail races rather than pounding the pavement for the next PR. I look forward to increasing my strength and know that my tolerance for distance may decrease slightly as I incorporate the resistance training in to a greater degree. Most of all, I look forward to fun, pure enjoyment as I continue to spend time with you while making room for other adventures. Thank you Running. You are awesome.